Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 01:50:31 am

Title: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 01:50:31 am

Will red cedar make arrows?  I have some very nice {furniture grade}  4x12s, I would consider buying a dowel cutter if it will work

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Bevan R. on March 24, 2011, 02:37:44 am

Why not rip a few 1/2 inch square 'rods' and hand plane some to test before inventing in a doweler.

Bevan R

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: ErictheViking on March 24, 2011, 01:59:15 pm

at the very least you would have some shavings to nput in your dresser. :)

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 03:02:30 pm

See why I hang around here? I should have thought of that!!   ::)

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Bevan R. on March 24, 2011, 03:45:07 pm

You talking about ERC or Western?
I have been making shafting out of the split cedar fencing I can get at the local lumber yard. Cut into square strips and handplaned round. planning takes me about 5 min tops. They have worked just fine for me. I will post a pic of some if you want.

Bevan R

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 05:20:12 pm

Pics please!!  Its south Alabama red cedar,I had 3- 4"x12"x8'  slabs cut at a sawmill last year for a project,and only used half of it,its almost all solid red heartwood being is they had to use whole trees.

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Bevan R. on March 24, 2011, 05:29:36 pm

I will post them when I get home from work.

Bevan R

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 24, 2011, 05:32:40 pm

Thanks

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: M-P on March 24, 2011, 05:54:32 pm

I too have made decent arrows shafts out of fence posts.  The ones I used are western red cedar.  I've worked with ERC enough to guess that it would also make a nice shaft,  if the grain is straight enough.   Finding knot and swirl free ERC is difficult.     Ron

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Bevan R. on March 24, 2011, 10:28:13 pm

Rick, these are the shafts I was talking about. I am in the process of refinishing and refletching them. I made them about 15+ years ago. These are what are left.

Bevan R

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 25, 2011, 01:14:26 am

Thanks for the pic,im almost over my cold or flu or whatever it is,Ill try a few this weekend and post results.

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 27, 2011, 12:35:55 am

I ripped down to some 1/2"x 1/2"  and tried hand planeing them,Im not sure I can get them down to where I need them without a dowler,,Anybody got plans for a homemade jig? I have a router and table,,Looked thru old post last night and couldnt find one.

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Bevan R. on March 27, 2011, 03:46:28 am

Rick,
I will try to draw up and scan an example a friend of mine used to make his shafting.

Bevan R

Title: Re: Red cedar
Post by: Rick Wallace on March 27, 2011, 12:50:05 pm

Thanks,,This arrow making is throwing me!!  I guess ill get it soon or late!  I have some hardwood dowels im working on as well,,Im strugglling with feather fletching on those,,