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-   -   Arrow build along using Port Orford Cedar (http://www.lonestarbowhunter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581)

LostHawg 03-08-2007 07:12 AM

Arrow build along using Port Orford Cedar
 
When crafting arrows its advisable to ensure you have all your supplies on hand prior to starting. Usually I do, sometimes I don't. Something as simple as not having a glue stick can hold you up, which is obvious.

Here is my list of items:
Shafts - 1 doz POC 60/65# 11/32" dowells
Nocks - 1 doz white 11/32" T nocks
Fletching - 2 doz off white 5 1/2" shield cut turkey feathers, 1 doz natural barred
Points - 1 doz 125 grain 11/32" fieldpoints

Consumables:
Duco Cement for fleching and nocks
Feral-tite for points
Denatured Alcohol for cleaning points and fuel for alcohol burner
Spar Urethane for sealing shafts
Fiebings alcohol based leather dye for staining shafts - Russet, Black, and Turquoise
Modeling glue for cresting
Q-Tips for cleaning points
0000 steel wool
220 grit sand paper
Shop rags - the blue disposable work great

Tools:
Dip Tube for sealing
Fletching jig(s) - JoJan mono-fletcher
Cresting jig - Bohning Junior Crestor
Nock/Point taper tool
Hook - for straighting shafts
Pliers - for holding HOT objects (points)
Knife - who knows? you can always use a good knife
Paint brushes - Camel and Sabil (use natural hair brushes for best results when cresting)
Saw - I use a coping saw with a fine tooth crosscut blade
Tape measure or suitable measuring standard
Work bench (wife got mad when I got paint on her kitchen table)
Hanging rack or line for drying shafts
Lighter

Will be back with a bunch of pictures and initiation of this project. ;)

LostHawg 03-08-2007 07:36 AM

Exhibit A:
Arrow from a Dowell
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...icktoArrow.jpg

WARNING: It is very important that arrows are of the proper spine strength for a given bow's draw weight.

I installed this shelf/table a year or so ago to serve as an arrow workstation. On it I made a string jig, a standard for measuring shafts and mount holes for my fletching jigs. Works out great.

LostHawg 03-08-2007 07:37 AM

I forgot the other IMPORTANT tool.

A big honkin mug of your favorite beverage to take a draink off'n from time to time. ;)

LostHawg 03-08-2007 07:45 AM

Okay, here's the necessities:

Shafts
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ows/Shafts.jpg

Paints and Paint sticks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...andBrushes.jpg

Feathers and Nocks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rsandNocks.jpg

Fieldpoints (soaking in rubbing alcohol to remove any oils/greases)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ningpoints.jpg

LostHawg 03-08-2007 07:47 AM

Fletching Jigs
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../Fletchers.jpg

Hook
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rrows/Hook.jpg

Crestor
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ws/Crestor.jpg

LostHawg 03-08-2007 07:49 AM

Alcohol burner, use DENATURED alcohol in the alcohol burner as it burns cleaner and hotter. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...oholBurner.jpg

Dyes and cleaning/thinning chems
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rows/Chems.jpg

Dip Tube
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../BigDipper.jpg

Graybow 03-08-2007 09:32 AM

I still haven't seen a pic of the "big honkin draink!"

LostHawg 03-08-2007 09:46 AM

Okay, a medium honkin draink. :lol: Incidentally, Shell Motor Oil company is in NO way affiliated with LostHawg Traditional Arrows Unc. (uncorporated?) :twisted:

Taper Tool for points and nocks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...oolonshaft.jpg

Nock/Fletch Cement and Glue stick for points
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...chingglues.jpg

Steel wool and dip tube gasket
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0SteelWool.jpg

I'll cover the rest as I go along.

LostHawg 03-08-2007 10:42 AM

I usually start with the inspection and straightening. I check for things such as cross grain, splinters, knots, and other things that may compromise the quallity of the arrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...raightness.jpg

You can do this either before or after you stain. It'll sometimes save some time, work maybe, if you inspect them before staining. I don't have a pic of that process just now, but above, I'm checking for straightness.

I'll usually check for straightness as soon as I unbundle the dozen and again after I've stained the shafts. I then will check them periodically as I go along. Eventually, I'll have them all straight as an "arrow". :shock:

LostHawg 03-08-2007 10:48 AM

Straightening before staining
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ftwithHook.jpg

Straightening after staining
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...Straighten.jpg

Grip the shaft so the center of the bend is midway between your hand and your base support. Applying even pressure to the shaft with the hook slide the hook up and down the shaft opposing the bend. After a couple passes inspect for straightness again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...raightness.jpg

Repeat as needed.

LostHawg 03-08-2007 11:07 AM

Determine which end is best suited for the nock taper. The point taper can wait till the last when you're ready to mount the point/head.

Taper the shaft to receive the nock, but do not install nock at this time.

With Whiffen disposible taper tool
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...erpointend.jpg

With "Best" taper tool with replacable blades
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...oolonshaft.jpg

Tapered shaft (I believe it is a 7 degree taper)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../NockTaper.jpg
These particular shafts were pre-nock tapered. Demo pics are for illustration purposes only.

LostHawg 03-08-2007 11:09 AM

You may recognize some of these pictures from a build along I did a couple years ago.

I've since cleaned up my garage, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. It's a mess again. :( :oops:

BUFF 03-08-2007 02:13 PM

good stuff thanks for sharing

Graybow 03-08-2007 02:42 PM

Good stuff Tracy. I have good luck with keeping the grain of the wood, where it is closest together, is on top and bottom. I put my knocks on at 90 degrees to that grain. It helps with getting the most spine out of the arrow. At least, it's helped me.

LostHawg 03-08-2007 09:44 PM

A lot of times I'll find a slight bend in the very end of the shaft. Depending on the quality of that end, I will either use the opposite end for the nock (if its better), or I'll go ahead and cut to length and then us it for the nock. Usually, I don't have to cut to length prior to selecting the nock end.

Yes, the grain MUST be horizontal while nocked. Any compromise in the grain can result in injury if the grain fails. Having the grain horizontal will minimize this risk. ;)

Tomorrow I'll go over staining, dipping prep and dipping.


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