can you seal shafts w/beeswax

[burn em up chuck]

    i don't know if this has been hashed out before, but if I did such a thing would it keep me from being able to use modern glues
for fletching?

                                                                                          chuck

[JoJoDapyro]

i would think that it would, but I have been known to be wrong

[Fred Arnold]

I have!! works great for keeping out moisture but!!! if it's hot outdoors it seems to bleed back to its original form and get's sticky.

[Fred Arnold]

I just finished a kids mulberry bow 45" 12#@18" and used beeswax/coconut oil  about 85/15 on the belly. Going against everything I've ever learned I placed one solid layer of unprocessed deer backstrap sinew on the back. I wiped down the belly with denatured and have put 2 coats of TruOil on. It seems to be curing OK but only time will tell.

[burn em up chuck]

ok makes since what about paraffin wax

                               chuck

[Fred Arnold]

Dean Torges did some experimenting and claimed parafin was as good as any with the proper mix and application.

Dean was fond of quality shellac to seal staves and blanks but he had higher regard for  a parafin mixture for the final finish.

You might want to look at halfeye's posts. I believe he has come to understand the best of primitive finish.

[autologus]

I believe Rich uses a combination of Pitch, Wax, and Grease if I remember correctly, maybe he can chime in and give some insight.

Grady

[Pappy]

I would fletch the arrows first Chuck. I have used it before on shoot shafts but only after fletching. I will show tem to you if you remind me next time you are down. It work fine and looks good to boot.
Pappy

[punch]

I always use paraffin wax to finish arrows. It is really easy and quick way to finish them.  If you are gluing feathers on you have to glue before sealing.  If you are wrapping them on then seal as usual then wrap the feathers on.  The paraffin also makes the arrows easy to pull from 3D targets.  They can get a little tacky if you leave them in a hot car but they are good to go after they cool a bit.

[warpath]

I've sealed with bees wax after fletching. Works great!!!!!

  G

[DC]

This is one of those situations where if you want to go "primitive" you have to go the whole nine yards. I would think that if you use a wax finish you would have to go with tie on fletching. There's a reason they use wax as a mold release-nothing sticks to it. If you just want the ease of removal feature(from targets) then finish the whole arrow with poly or whatever and then wax the pointy end.

[burn em up chuck]

   ok cool thanks everyone i do appreciate the advice.

                                                 chuck