straightening arrows.

[triggerfinger]

I cut a ton if jap arrow boo a couple months back and have been working on straightening them and thought id pass on a tip I learned.

My wife is a dentist and she has a torch that runs on denatured alcohol, she uses it for whatever dentists need torches for, which is beside the point, anyhow i stole it when she wasnt looking and it works absolutely perfect for straightening arrows.  The heat seems to be just the right amount, and you can do it inside without making a mess or smoke.  Also you can get the fuel at lowes and its cheap.

The downside is i looked the torch up on google and it costs like $275,  but the upside is its super simple, it is just a reservoir with a wick.  The reservoir holds the alcohol and the wick is lit just like one of the old oil lamps, which may work for this too. 

[Scowler]

Congrats on finding a seemingly good straightening tool.  $275 is a bit out of my price range, however.

[jonathan creason]

I bought an alcohol burner for straightening arrows for like $8.  Sounds like it's pretty much the same thing, but I'm not sure.  I don't use it much though because the alcohol keeps evaporating out of it.  Most of the time I just use a burner on my stove.

[stringstretcher]

Three rivers has one for $6.99.  I have had one for year and use it all the time.  Takes denatured alcohol.

[bowtarist]

stringstretcher, you use it to straighten arrows with?

I've got one, but have never used it. I usually use the stove top too, but I always feel like it might be costing me a little more than necessary.

Trigger, could you post a pic of your set up?


Thanks guys, dpgratz

[stringstretcher]

Yes I have used it to straighten arrows, put points on and lots of things.  It is a great little tool to have around.  I mostly use my propane burner to get my heat for the initial straightening on my cane and then use the alcohol burner to finish up.

[mullet]

 I have one I got at the Flea Market for $5 and it's from the 40's in the original box. Already straightened a dozen of Hill Cane with it.

[Prarie Bowyer]

I have a squeze bottle dental torch.  Super simple to make.  I think I paid more in shipping to get it.  It has a side spout that directs spot of focused flame sidewasye when squezed.  I get the fuel in the drug section of walmart.  90% Isopropyl.  Works great and is cheap.  Don't take the marble out of the bottom.  It becomes tippy.

Sculptors use them for melting "Chevant Clay".
http://www.sculptclayandtools.com/Products_alchol_torches_irons/BD-82440.htm

this one is kinda pricy.  I think I only paid $6.

[longbow01]

I use an oil lamp....it works good for me.

[George Tsoukalas]

I use a plumber's propane torch. I buy the propane cannisters that are wide and stand straight up. Been using that for years. I've also use a kitchen range. I think I could probably buy another kitchen range for close to the $275. Jawge

[mullet]

 Jawge;

 Glad to se you on here and made it through the Hurricane. I hope you didn't get any damage.

[osage outlaw]

I use the burners that go under the food trays at catored events.  They work great.  In fact, over the holiday weekend, I sat on the dock at a lake and straightend a bunch of shafts over it.  It was very relaxing.

[Prarie Bowyer]

I did a mess with a heat gun recently.  Went pretty quick actualy.  I expected it to be more problematic.  I think in the winter I'll use the torch for onsies twosies but to sit down and make a mess of shafts, heat gun.

[crooketarrow]

  Sternio with a wick works very well ,cheap and last for ever. All so good for putting on heads.

[Tom Leemans]

I will either use a heat gun or a single burner atop a propane bottle. Depends on where I'm at. Either one is very effective.