Shafts at Home Depot

[hillbilly61]

Where do you look at Home Depot to find the bamboo shafts. Trying to get into the bow making and arrow making. Also where can I find the BB books? Thanks for answering my questions guys. I build custom fishing rods so I do have the Patience to try this

[aero86]

where i get mine is in the back of the garden center.  mine is by the pool chemicals.  there is two lengths  5 and 6 foot. be selective about what packages you get.  i got a package last night of 6 foot and ended up with 5 arrows 29 inches long.  some were too thin, some were too thick, but i had pretty good luck, i got 5 arrows out of 6 shoots.  but like i said, be choosy.  look through and find the size you want, and check straightness while your there.  once you go bamboo(cane) youll never go back!

[DanaM]

Here's a link to Horsefeathers Ranch, PA's sister site they have the Bowyers Bible series plus lots more

http://www.horsefeathersranch.com/archery.htm

[hillbilly61]

  Aero Thanks I went to HD today between calls and found them. I got them b4 I read you post But since I don't know what I'm doing yet, I reckon I'll just stock up.

DanaM That is the web site I need. All I have to do now is talk my wife into getting the BB for Valentines day.

[zenmonkeyman]

I was just at Michael's (craft chain store) and was impressed with the quality of the bamboo I saw there.  Much more consistent than what I saw at HD.  Pricey though.

[aero86]

yeah, home depot is the way to go if your not going to make to many.  its like 5 dollars and some change for two packages of the 6 foot stuff.  if you work it right you could get between 6-12 arrows, if you dont break any, like i tend to do.

[Canoe]

Howdy Hillbilly, aero86 and Group (again),

So, you go to HD and get  bunch of 6' boo shafts, and you go through that bunch to find the "right size."  How do I find that "right size?"  I mean, do I use a sort of gauge?  If so, what size is the "right size" / diameter of boo shaft?

Thanks,
Canoe

[hedgeapple]

Canoe, I get mine shafts from Lowe's.  They have them in like 4 ft sections and sold individualy for around a buck.  I look for 3/8" at the nock end, no more than 3 nodes per arrow length and straight as possible.  Also, I looked them over for cracks and cuts around the nodes.

[Josh]

I get mine at Lowe's too.  I like being able to pick them out individually and to be able to inspect each shaft before I buy them... I just bought 12 of them and it cost me a whopping 11.96 with tax... cant beat it! Also the guy in the garden center took an interest into why i was being so picky about my tomato stakes (by the time he came over I had half the stack divided up and propped in different piles against the wall)  When I told him what I was REALLY gonna do with the "tomato stakes"  he thought it was cool as all get out and told me he would call me when a new batch came in... How sweet is that?      -josh

[aero86]

Do like they say, but id get a batch from home depot first that way u have a bunch to practice on.  Especially when straightening nodes.  You gotta learn how much you can bend at a time, and that takes breaking a few.  I know I've snapped a few that I was working on the last node.  Then when you think you've got it, go be picky at lowes

[hillbilly61]

Thanks guys. I have 1 1/2 dozen shafts now. All from HD. I hope that is enough to practice with If not I reckon I'll go back and get some more By then our first trad shoot will be here and I can ask a real pro I'm going to try to straighten a few tomarrow after gluing the handle on my first board bow.

[aero86]

Try watchin that video I posted.  It might help a bit if u can tell what I'm doing!  At the end I explain my process

[riarcher]

Billy-
Suggest you start right off hard.
Begin straightening with the most God awful crookedest piece you've got.
Then you know fer sure, it only gets easier from there. 

[hillbilly61]

  riarcher-- Now that sounds like a good idea.I looked at them and started to pick the best one to try but if I do what you suggest I'll be able to see progress better

earo86 I like that idea too, but with dial-up it takes fooorrreevveeerrrr to download a video

[Canoe]

Howdy Group,

Hedge apple, you said, "look for 3/8" at the nock end..."  So, is the nock end the smaller end, so the other end will be over 3/8"? 
Thanks, I'll be heading over to HD or Lowe's real soon to get me started in boo arrows -  Thanks again guys.  Ya, I'm really excited about making more of my own arrows.  Next, I'll be lookin' to do some flint knapping.

Hillbilly, good luck on that first board bow.  I love board bows - quality huntin' weapons   I made one for my buddy, he took it hunting this past year, and he loves shooting the thing.