Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: gudspelr on May 16, 2012, 01:07:46 am
-
So, I just spent the last little while starting on my first arrows. The shafts are bamboo (not dead/brittle) and I set out to begin straightening them. I don't have a heat gun (yet) and I've seen others use steam, so figured I'd give it a whirl. After beginning on a few shafts, I decided to go and and sand off the nodes before continuing on. I have a little belt sander and watched a video of a guy using one to help get the nodes down to size, so I went to it.
Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure how much to try and sand and perhaps that's part of my problem. It's entirely possible that I sanded a bit too much on some of the nodes... Anway, I took them back in, put them over my pot and came back here where I read the sticky on Home Depot bamboo arrows. I noticed he sanded the shafts after straightening. Is that the best way to go? The reason I ask is, after letting the shafts heat for a little while, I started trying to straighten them a bit and each one broke-at the node... :o.
Are these still salvageable or was the strength compromised too much at the nodes when I sanded them down prior to straightening? I've seen some bamboo arrows that just seem ridiculously smooth/straight and am wondering if I'll end up there at all, looking at the beginning product. If these are pretty well shot, I don't suppose it's all that bad-they were REALLY cheap (read free). Thanks for any insights.
Jeremy
-
Jeremy, usually I straighten the shafts first and then sand. I have also shaved the node down before straightening with a pocket knife. Seems like I break more if I shave them first, but I will still break one occasionally. I have never used steam to straighten cane, I use a propane camping stove, a charcoal grill, stove eye or a candle. Seems that the cane will stay straighter if you apply just a bit of temper,not enough to scorch but just to turn a nice dark amber color. Truth is, you really don't have to sand the nodes down, The arrows should fly fine even with the nodes left intact.
oldhippy steve
-
I have more luck with dry heat. Both times I've used steam I have broken shafts. But that was with dead standing (but not rotting) cane so that could have been a factor too.
Walt
-
Breakege is probably due to steam. There is a series of videos on youtube where a lilttle old Japanese gent is making bamboo arrows the traditional way. He pares the nodes down with a knife, scrapes off the waxy rind then heats and straightens then usin a charcoal oven affair.
-
Thanks for the info. I think I might try dry heat with the next ones. And I saw the videos you were talking about-pretty amazing.
Jeremy
-
You want to straighten first then sand. If you sand first the cane will break at a node when straightening. (don't ask ;D )
-
PatB has it right. I went back and rewatched the vidoe. The old boy does all the hardcore straightening befor sanding and light touch up straitening after.
-
What Pat said,also I usually instead of sanding or cutting down the nodes I heat them and roll them on a flat block and compress them. You can use anything round
like a screw driver but I use one of them arrow straighteners [roller] from Ace,it does a good job. :)
Pappy