Some target arrows for Elb

[Ruddy Darter]

Here's some target arrows I just finished up. The shafts are 3/8"ash with horn inserts, and I put on a 10" taper. 6" turkey feathers with sealed in red silk binding. I managed to find some 'medieval' style steel target points that I really like and they weigh 150grain. The finished arrows weigh  either side of 51 grams and are 31" in length. I put in the taper and prepared the end for the arrowheads using a spokeshave, first time I tried this way and is now my favoured method.

 R.D.

[Pat B]

Nice, well made arrows, RD.  How do you like ash? I liked it, good physical weight but hard for me to keep straight.

[Ruddy Darter]

Thank you Pat B, I really like ash. I took some time straightening these, as most were quite crooked, with the aid of a heat gun and bending with my thumbs, getting them hot so I can just hold, bending it and holding in position until it cools off a little. Once straight I find they generally stay put. I do the majority of the straightening after I put in the  horn inserts and fix on the heads just prior to 3X Danish oil.
I'm going to make an arrow straightener too, a handle shaped length of wood with a smoothed hole, for tweeking straight when and if needed, although I don't mind too much if there's a little in-flight waggle. 

R.D.

[Ruddy Darter]

Here's the tool I mean...something like this in 20mm oak, should do the trick(?)
I'll probably fix on a thin vertically grained strip to the side to strengthen.
 R.D.

[Pat B]

I have a few of those. Be sure all edges the shaft comes in contact with are well rounded so any indentations are minimal. Arrow wrenches are good for drastic bends but not usually. I've found hand work with warm shafts works best for basic straightening with most shafting.

[Ruddy Darter]

O.k., thank you Pat B. Yeah, the hand straightening sorted these out, they all spin nicely on the palm of my hand.

 R.D.

[Pappy]

Nice looking set of arrows, very well done.
 Pappy

[Ruddy Darter]

Thank you very much Pappy,

I was glad to find making a set of arrows is just as relaxing and enjoyable as ever it was, more so now I revised how I prepare and shape the fletching and tapering, I'm looking forward to making a few more.

 R.D.

[Scyth]

. . . my arrow wrench . . .

regards,

Scyth

[Ruddy Darter]

That looks just the thing Scyth, gives me the idea to go for something along those lines with some hazel I have, that roller also looks a great tool to have. Thanks very much  .

 R.D.