Building arrows

[loon]

Straightening raw shafts is very much a test of patience for me. But it's not hard to fletch arrows and glue on points and a nock.

The hundreds of tonkin shafts I got a few years ago aren't very good quality. They seem to have mold damage (I don't think more than they initially had), and one is pliable when cold even though I used heat to straighten it. Yet they seem really dry. Especially the ones that just shatter into dust when bent.

[Pappy]

I would be afraid  of that loon, I never take a chance on a risky shaft, seen some break when shot and it ant pretty, I give them a pretty good bend test along the shaft either shoots/blanks or Cain before I start to be sure they are solid and no bad spots, any question I break them, not worth the risk.  a broke shaft through the arm or hand would make for a very bad day for you not to mention for someone standing close by.
 Pappy

[JEB]

Agree with Pappy on this one. I have some 60's cedar shafts that I use all the time but cedar is a different wood.

[Deerhunter21]

What does TSA stand for?

[TSA]

thats us 
http://www.trueshaftarchery.com/home.html

[PEARL DRUMS]

I'm just about out of those extra fine shafts, Wayne. Ill be getting with you in the next few months. I'll need a fresh dozen for this falls arrows.

[TSA]

really glad they are working out for you
what are you chasing, come fall?

[Pat B]

I got 2 dozen Sitka shafts from Wayne(TSA) and they are as good as it gets. I made one set of arrows(need to send one to you, Wayne). Need to make another set but now just isn't the time. 

[PEARL DRUMS]

really glad they are working out for you
what are you chasing, come fall?

They aren't just working, they are the best parallel shafts I've used. I'll be chasing whitetail around the woodlots.

[Woodely]

The secret is to spine test every shaft you turn/make, or, buy them from TSA and get a dozen of the exact same shaft, they will all fly perfectly. If you don't have a spine tester then bare shaft tuning each and every shaft is the only other method to make them all fly the same.  6 out of 10 means you're wasting 40% of your energy and time.

On another note I feel like I'm wasting energy and time when I'm building bows and they end up breaking, although not much anymore.   Other than that I have nothing to do and all day to do it in. 

[Pat B]

If you are learning from broken bows then you're not wasting time.

[Woodely]

If you are learning from broken bows then you're not wasting time.

True enough,  and oh yes I have learned a lot.     Anyway onto the next project.

[allanmeier]

sorry for my incredible ignorance, but what is TSA? I put together some arrows (buying shafts, fletching, kocks etc. from 3 rivers), and they cost around $8/arrow. That seems a little pricy and I want to start producing my own.
also want to try forging broadheads. Any ideas?

[Hawkdancer]

Allen,  TSA is TrueShaft archery, one of the sponsors.  Check out their website.  Very nice folks.  Located in Canada.  As for forging your own broadheads, got to be some body close who can help you get set up, or let you use their forge to start out and learn.  Might try cutting some out of old saw blades, too.  Have fun!
Hawkdancer

[Deerhunter21]

Allen, look up videos of forging arrowheads from rebar. how to get the metal hot, well you can use a bucket filled with charcoal and a hairdryer for the air. you will need some insulator like plaster of paris and sand in the (metal) bucket or kaowool. just line the bucket with the kaowool or fill it up with plaster of paris and sand. put a (smaller) bucket in the middle of it and let the plaster dry around the bucket. you will have a hollow hole in it to put the charcoal in.