Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Kegan on June 10, 2009, 03:05:45 pm

Title: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: Kegan on June 10, 2009, 03:05:45 pm

I've been trying to make my own hunting heads for years. For a period I managed some tie-ons that worked, but I soon started using bows that were too heavy for my poor tieing/gluing kills to hold. I had tried a ferruled head a couple years ago, without success, but latey my work has imporved so I gave it another shot after seeing some broadheads in the traditional Bowyer's Bibles.

Here's the prototype, based on Jay Massey's "Half-fast" head :)

It's made with an 11/32" 125 gr field point and a piece of bandsaw blade from Mark (thanks Mark!!!). I initially just used JB Weld to try and hold, but that didn't work out so well. So I tried a small hand made rivet in there too, along with the epoxy, and it held perfectly. Even survived the tree test :). I haven't sharpened it, but it's dead accurate on one of my unspined shafts. Even if this one is rough, slightly misaligned, and a bit of a mess, I have high hopes for this little head. I just need some more field points and a new 1/16" drill bit (I broke the last one :-X).

It's 2" long, 1" wide, 150 gr and "barbed" to seat the point. I've been trying to make my own broadheads for a while, so I'm pleased as punch :).

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Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: nugget on June 10, 2009, 04:18:51 pm

Have you thought about trying to solder the blade to the point? That may be neater than the epoxy. You could still use the rivet.

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: mullet on June 10, 2009, 09:54:50 pm

 I was going to suggest the same thing. Ace Hardware has silver solder.

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: Pat B on June 11, 2009, 12:19:50 am

I can see the HH influence in that head. ;D  I have thought about heads like this but with the work involved and the ultimate precision required, I think a trade point is the ticket. I haven't killed an animal with one yet but I feel more confident with the simplicity of a trade point.
  In an old edition of PA there are detailed instructions for making a ferreled head using field points.

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: Ryano on June 11, 2009, 02:56:18 pm

Kegan, just wanted to tell you barbed heads are illegal in PA for hunting.  :-X

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: adb on June 11, 2009, 07:38:13 pm

Barbed broadheads are illegal here as well.

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 12, 2009, 10:52:03 am

Nice head! I've been wanting to do the same thing...maybe soon. ;)

I saw some arrows that were glued on with a lot of excess epoxy, then it was ground down to make it look nice and give the head a very smooth taper.
    Sean

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: Pat B on June 12, 2009, 01:08:48 pm

Sean, That is how Art Butner does his but used heat to reduce the epoxy. Very strong and aerodynamic.

Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: Kegan on June 13, 2009, 06:00:14 pm

I'm still working on it, here's the first "set". I found a nicer way to rivet it up, and am working on gluing (I'm terrible with glue joints of any kind). As for solder, I was just using what I have around the house. Im low on funds.

Here's the next batch, all cleaned up. Still very rough, but I'm getting there.

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Title: Re: Finally made a ferruled broadhead!
Post by: cowboy on June 13, 2009, 06:41:26 pm

Those look good kegan! Deer beware :).