Arrow building tips; I'll start
 

Dip the shaft once in gasket lacquer prior to cresting. Once the crest is applied coat generously with water based polyeurathane. Make sure the poly is well mixed and you have a sound coat. Let set then dip in gasket lacquer two to three times more. Use steel wool to smooth out any roughness caused by debris. The water poly will help prevent running of the crest.

A lesson I relearned this past week.

I place a 5th option, would take though.

"Never, I'm satisfied with purchasing ready-made arrows"

I know quite a few folks who don't have the time, space, or desire for the craft. Some good shooters, a few of them, too.

Did you do that? The pic?

Long story short.

I moved. Disconnected from the web. Now 7 months later, I'm back. Will try to be more civil this time. :twisted:

Waiting for an email from Tomme. He can pass on what I'm wanting to speak with him (rather email him) about afterward. Nothing major.

Still waiting on 27 September

Welcome back!! Hope all is well on your end broski!

I'll have to try the water based next time. I normally use Thunderbird (no Tomme not the wine!) for a sealer as I like the way it converts from a Laquer to a polyurethane, tough, but flexible, with the charecteristics of the laquer when it first goes on. Sealed my recurve limbs with it after I put on the snake skins too.

I use denatured alcohol and Rit dyes to stain and then 3 to 5 coats of Minwax (flat or gloss either one). Crest with Testors and cover cresting with Clear Testors sealer. Works pretty good. Smooth between coats with 0000 Steel wool. This method takes several days because I allow each coat to dry 24 hrs! But then I enjoy making them and am not is a big hurry. Enjoy the fun of making your own...... :D

yes, build my won arrows all the time. That way I can't blame anyone else. I build custom tree-seeking, dirt digging arrows, that can't be found in just any old pro shop. Anyone needs any help on the custom arrows, I hold seminars at most archery shoots so you can see how well they work. :lol:

arrows...
 

OK, for the returning trad shooter, do any of you use carbon? Does a carbon disqualify for records? Where can I get some cedar shafts in Ft Worth area?

I guess I should shoot some limbs...do any of you guys know anyone that makes flint arrowheads? Would love to try one on a turkey......

Yes, my oldest son. He knaps beautiful flint heads and has built his own arrow equiped with one of his heads and drove it thru the shoulder of a 200 pound hog with a 55 lb longbow.

As far as arrow building goes, I have tried a lot of the stuff mentioned above. I have made some good arrows and some of the uglest sticks to ever fly.

I am shooting carbons now because of the heavy bow I have been trying to shoot into. They don't have the same personality, but it was that or rebar.

I tried to burn some patterns with a torch, that was kind of interesting.

One afternoon at K. Bass's house we tried to make some shafts by running wood through holes in plate steel, with only marginal success.

My friend George Clark, whose picture graces the LSBA home page, taught me to name my arrows. I was putting a number on each, but the name is so much better. When I went to Africa in 98, I named each arrow after one of my hunting buddies, when I retured I told them the story of their arrow.

Hey, walking eagle, I am interested in buying some knapped spear points for a project. Would that be something your son could do and would be interested in? Or does anyone know where I could get my hands on some. I need 10 about the same size.

Chunky
Go to the Texas forum of Bowsite and ask for Flint Knapper. I think he may be able to help you.

Also, I just found out yesterday that the only source for wood arrows in town is closing. Opens a window for me. I'm considering real seriously to start stocking and selling arrow building supplies and custom made wood arrows. I'll update as to whether I do this. Not going to do it for the money, so will probably have a very competitive project. I just need to clean up on my cresting.