Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??

[hedgeapple]

Would Eastern cedar make a good arrow?

[Pat B]

I haven't made arrows out of ERC but I believe that it would make good arrows... but maybe light in weight. Use the clearest, straightest wood you can find.

[hedgeapple]

Thanks PatB.  I friend has a saw mill.  He cut large forest growth ERC to build his cabin.  He gave me a couple of leftover cedar board. I was able to cut four 1/2 x1/2 staft blanks for one of them.  The grain is pretty straight and they're clear of knots.  I've plained one of them so far.  I'm planning of straightening it tomorrow.  Should I heat treat it to harden it?

[xin]

Hedge, Are you using sapwood or heartwood?

[Pat B]

Hedge, I've never made ERC arrows so I don't know about tempering. Take a scrap piece and give it a try.

[hedgeapple]

The wood is red, so I"m thinking heart wood.

[ricktrojanowski]

If it is red it's heartwood.  They will probabably be on the light side and somewhat fragile (like POC) But they will probably smell nice if they break

[Hillbilly]

I'm like Rick-they'll be good arrows until you hit a rock (the same is true of commercial POC shafts, though-like Pat said). They'll sure be purty, though.

[hedgeapple]

Thanks guys for your input.  If I'm hearing you correctly, the sap wood would be better for the arrows of Eastern cedar?

[ricktrojanowski]

Hedgeapple-  I don't think that the sapwood would make better arrows than the heartwood.  What I responded earlier just sounded that way.  I would go with the heartwood.

[hedgeapple]

Rick, thanks for carifying.  Since I've already cut the cedar into 1/2 squares, I'll go ahead and work them out.  If they break, they break.  If I really like them, I'll make more.   

[ricktrojanowski]

I agree.  Go for it.  All arrows break .  The ERC will make some real pretty arrows.  Make sure you post some pics. when you get them finished.