Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: OsageBender on June 12, 2009, 08:25:24 pm

Title: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: OsageBender on June 12, 2009, 08:25:24 pm
While sorting through the wood rack at Home Depot today, I ran across a very nice straight grained poplar board.  I bought it, and plan to rip it down to 3/8" square stock, than plane out some arrow shafts.  I have never tried poplar for arrows, nor heard much about it.  How does it compare to other arrow woods? Is it durable, and does it stay relatively straight?  Thanks for any feed back!
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: Hillbilly on June 12, 2009, 09:59:47 pm
I've made some poplar arrows, and they're pretty good quality if you start with a good piece of wood. I'd rate them above POC.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: gradog on August 24, 2009, 08:50:48 pm
I have made some Poplar arrows and was surprised at the toughness and ability to stay straight once straitened. My favorite arrow material is ;) Douglas Fir but Poplar is a very close second.  Since my source of Douglas Fir has dried up I guess Poplar is now #1.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: ricktrojanowski on August 24, 2009, 10:02:58 pm
I've made some arrows from Poplar boards as well.  It makes good shafting.  Relatively strong and fairly heavy but still easy to straighten.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: Bushbow on November 06, 2009, 08:55:39 pm
I have made many poplar shaft from boards and also by reducing 3/8 dowels until the required spine is achieved. I agree better than POC. With any wood good arrows require straight grain. My favorite woo is Douglas fir.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: nugget on November 07, 2009, 12:47:55 am
Very easy to straighten. Mine liked to warp easily, but that may have been a sealing problem. Very durable arrow material.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: adb on November 07, 2009, 09:51:29 am
I've used poplar to make 3/8" and 1/2" warbow arrows. Poplar was historicaly used during medieval times, and many poplar shafts were recovered from aboard the Mary Rose. It's good wood for arows.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: zeNBowyer on November 07, 2009, 01:56:16 pm
Wondering how  much  total  arrow  weight these  poplar  arrows are  coming  out to 
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: Bushbow on November 07, 2009, 09:53:52 pm
They seem to come out about 20% heavier than POC. If a typical 50 lb spine POC is around 275 to 350 grains, an equal poplar is 325 to 375 grains.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: The Gopher on November 12, 2009, 10:28:09 am
my bread and butter arrow shafts are poplar dowels from Menards, i have to sort through about 200 shafts and i'll walk away with maybe 20 useable ones, but its worth it at 18 cents a piece.

They are durable, easy to work with, take stains well, and stay pretty straight.

The stiffest 5/16" will give about a 45lb spine, great if i can get enough, but usually i get 3/8" and plane them down to my desired spine. its not uncommon to find nearly perfect poplar dowels, none or maybe 1 grain run-off in a 36" length.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: George Tsoukalas on November 17, 2009, 03:26:39 pm
I've planed them out from poplar. I like poplar arrows. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: ken75 on November 22, 2009, 10:57:54 pm
most of the shafts i use are popular , i bought the 3/8 dowel cutter from lee valley tools and once cut to 1/2 by 1/2 by 36 you can turn an arrow in about 7 seconds. spline is consistent and they straighten easy .
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: Loki on November 29, 2009, 06:50:19 pm
Poplar and Cedar are my favourites,I always use Poplar for War Arrows.
(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj7/AnLoki/344555fff.jpg)
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: boo on November 29, 2009, 07:25:40 pm
Ive turned some poplar shafts, I think they are a great shaft. Better than POC in my book
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: tetaxidermy on November 29, 2009, 08:20:34 pm
I just bought some today, my very first wood arrow the shoot great. getting ready to try on some deer.
Title: Re: Poplar Board to Arrow Shafts
Post by: rudderbows on November 29, 2009, 11:40:33 pm
I rate poplar above POC. Just my own Humble irish opinion.  If a person throws some heat and tempers poplar it seems to stay straight longer . I like the way it shoots and its tougher than POC. POC is good I know, but, poplar takes more of a beating and flies just as good. Pretty close to the same weight as POC ,only slightly heavier, but not enough to have to compensate too much. poplar is good stuff. Definatly costs less than POC.