Broadheads from skill saw blades

[DQ]

Good broadheads can be made from an old skill saw blade.  This one is .060" thick, but a little thinner would be fine.  First, use a cold chisel to break rough triangles out of the saw blade.  Then grind them to shape.  These are 1 1/4" wide and 2" long.  The hard steel needs to be annealed to soften it enough to work with hand tools.  Heat the blades to red hot with a torch or put them in the coals of a hot campfire and let it burn out overnight.

[DQ]

To make the ferrels, simply mount a 125 grain steel target point on a short shaft and grind it down.  Keep turning it as you reduce it until the ferrel weighs about 60 grains.  Then, file a small flat tip on it and cut the slot with a hacksaw blade.  For .060" thickness use two hacksaw blades taped together.

Next, grind the blades to final shape and grind the bevel on the edges.  You can make them single or double beveled.  Be careful not to overheat the steel while grinding.  Then, hacksaw out the base to fit the ferrel.  Hand fit each one to ensure straight alignment.  The blades now weigh about 100 grains.

[DQ]

After assembling the parts, drill through them with a drill bit just larger than a small finish nail.  It is critical to have the parts perfectly aligned when you drill the hole.  Use a finish nail as a rivet to lock it all together. (Use a little epoxy too if you wish.)  A little filing may be necessary to straighten them or bring them down to desired weight.

[DQ]

To finish the broadheads, you can shine them up or paint them to resist rust.  I used cold bluing solution on these.  Give them a final sharpening and your 160 grain broadheads are ready to go hunting.

[skyarrow]

Nicely done simple and easy love it

[danny f]

excellent they look great.

[JW_Halverson]

Niiiiiiice!

I'm putting in an order for a dozen, single bevelled please!

[Robo]

Do you retemper them, or leave as is?

[DQ]

Robo - I'm a complete loser at metalurgy.  If they feel "hard to sharpen" with a file I leave them alone without trying to temper them.  At .060" thickness they don't bend on deer bone.  If they feel "soft" I'd try heating them up with a torch and quenching in water. 

Someone more knowledgeable about this can probably explain what I should be doing.  LOL    Any help will be appreciated.

[Pappy]

Very nice DQ,I like the ferrule Idea.  Thanks.
   Pappy

[Stoker]

Genius on the ferrule. Recycle all the tips a fellow bounces offa rocks. Well done
Thanks Leroy

[PEARL DRUMS]

They just dont get much slicker than DQ. The man can do anything.

[HoBow]

You did a great job with those!

[Tshank]

Quenching might be better in oil than water. It all depends on the steel.
The heads look nice and almost commercial grade.

[coxral]

Thanks, GREAT idea!