Finishing the shafts

[jaxenro]

What type of finish do you use on the shaft and do you put it on before or after fletching? Does it interfere with the fletching glue?

[Pat B]

Finish generally goes on before the fletching and you will have to have a glue that is compatible with the finish.  I've used water based poly, Tru-Oil and shellac as a finish. I've found fletch tape works well on all of these. I used to use Duco cement butb it has been hard to find lately.

[chamookman]

I've always used Spar Urathane out of a rattle can, before fletching. I use Duco also Pat - just got a new tube from 3Rivers  . Bob

[bjrogg]

Not saying what I do is right, but here's what I do. I usually paint on my markings and let dry. Then I spray on a coat of poly, scuff and then a coat of tru oil. Then I flecth. I scrap off paint and sealer just where fletching goes with my knife at 90 degrees. Then I strip my feathers and glue on with TB2. I put a very light coat on shaft where I scraped and fletching. I sometimes set heat gun on low setting hold a little bit away to speed up drying glue. After I'm done fletching I wrap quill front and back with sinew. When everything dries I put another coat of sealer on especially over sinew. I'm sure this isn't the easiest way but TB2 is what I have and it seems to work good all though it dries a little slow.
Bjrogg

[DC]

Make a dip tube, you won't regret it. I only make a dozen or so arrows a year but repairs and refreshing the finish is so easy with one of these. If a shaft looks a little shabby dip it in the tube and hang it to dry. Takes 15 seconds and is done in the morning. I fill it with water based poly diluted 1:1 with water. I know for a fact if I had to get out a spray can or bushes it would never get done. A happy coincidence is that a coffee can lid fits a 4" pvc fitting.

[High-Desert]

DC, your dipping set up is a great idea! I'm going to build a stand like that for my dip tube. Thanks for posting that.

[DC]

I got the idea from a youtube video but I can't find it now. I have very few original ideas

 I looked again and it came up first on a google search. Someone named Woodenarrows posted it

[archeryrob]

For primitive arrows I have not finished them in American terms. They are greased when straightening shoots and burnished, or boned, closing the wood pores. I have had very good luck with heavy wood such as Viburnum and rose, but didn't fair so well with Dogwood and Hazel as they warped on me.

[Knoll]

Here ya go, DC.

https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=yjK-Mw7EK-Q&t=33s
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