Trad points

[Fox]

I've smithed a few trad points out of some files, but they took really forever and were a pain to smith because of being so little to hold onto.... how do you all make metal trad points?

[Pat B]

I assume you are talking about trade points. You can cut them out of old saw blades, circular saws, wide band saws or even hand saws. There may even be folks on Trading Post that would trade with you for them.

[Fox]

yeah that's what I mean pat
right that makes sense just cutting them from saw blades or the likes

[Pat B]

Yes, and most saw blades have excellent steel. Band saws and older circular saw blades.

[Buck67]

I make trade points from the steel bands from old whiskey barrels.  One barrel will make a lot of arrow heads.  10 minutes with a hacksaw and a file and ready to go. 

[Hawkdancer]

I wonder if the old steel bands from a plater boy would work?  Is there any simple way to determine the type of steel in the bands?
Hawkdancer

[archeryrob]

Circular saw blades that get used up will make more heads than you can kill deer with in a long time. I used  plain shaft tapered back and a hole that goes right at the tip of the tip of the arrow. I slide a piece of sinew through the hole that was wet and chewed. pull it down and wrap it around the shaft to pull the head in tighter and lash the back of the broad head stem. Several pieces of sinew and a night drying and they are ready to go.

Here is a PDF file of my template for 125 grain heads with the hole in it. Print the paper and glue it right on the blade to cut them out.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lW1vidYJhc9aY7PIaHSMd_wDM2eQyEOz/view?usp=sharing

[Fox]

Circular saw blades that get used up will make more heads than you can kill deer with in a long time. I used  plain shaft tapered back and a hole that goes right at the tip of the tip of the arrow. I slide a piece of sinew through the hole that was wet and chewed. pull it down and wrap it around the shaft to pull the head in tighter and lash the back of the broad head stem. Several pieces of sinew and a night drying and they are ready to go.

Here is a PDF file of my template for 125 grain heads with the hole in it. Print the paper and glue it right on the blade to cut them out.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lW1vidYJhc9aY7PIaHSMd_wDM2eQyEOz/view?usp=sharing

Awesome! that looks really good! thanks for the PDF im defiantly using that!

[Hawkdancer]

Hopefully, will have some blanks ready based on the point from Dances With Wolves courtesy of Rich - modified to be legal in most if not all states.  Will try to post when I get them.   I think theangle ginger is too rough, and the hacksaw takes too long !
Hawldancer

[Digital Caveman]

I just learned how to use a plasma cutter; what do you think of using that for cutting trade points from a bandsaw blade?  maybe a little off topic unless Fox has one.

[Fox]

I don't have a plasma cutter but I do have access to a metal bandsaw, I wonder if that would work?

[Digital Caveman]

Probably better, it wouldn't burn the edges, but I think it would be slower.

[Gimlis Ghost]

I was under the impression that most steel or iron arrowheads used by Indians were roughed out of barrel hoops and similar scrap metal by use of a chisel.

[Flyonline]

Heck, I've got 4,000 lifetimes supplies if barrel hoops can be used - I'm in the process of pulling apart a couple hundred or so wine barrels. Might have to put a couple aside for 'ron and have a go myself 

If Fox doesn't mind a question....

Do they require heat treatment/hardening at all?