Author Topic: Long Arrow shafts  (Read 4599 times)

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Offline dueb

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Long Arrow shafts
« on: October 28, 2014, 06:33:57 pm »
Anyone know where I can get some shafts to fit my 32 inch draw length?
« Last Edit: October 28, 2014, 06:39:33 pm by dueb »
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2014, 07:25:10 pm »
In a cane field   ;D ;D ;D .....seriously what type of shaft. And, you must be 6'10" tall or your just fishing.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking

Offline dueb

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2014, 07:34:46 pm »
Haha, but seriously, I just finished my first bow and I don't have any arrows to put through it. My draw length is really 32 inches and my bow is around 40 pounds @ 32". I've never made my own arrows so I don't know what i'm looking for. Any suggestions would be great.

No cane fields where I live either. XD
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2014, 08:08:06 pm »
Cane or shoot shafts would be your best option....
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking

Offline dueb

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2014, 08:31:38 pm »
definitely a newbie question, but what is a shoot shaft?
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline Parnell

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2014, 09:19:05 pm »
Hardwood sapling shoots like dogwood, as an example.  There are many things to use that you can find.  Where do you generally live, folks can give you a heads up on your environment.  Bamboo garden stakes of the right diameter are always a starting point.

Good luck.
1’—>1’

Offline dueb

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2014, 09:34:21 pm »
I live in southcoast Massachusetts
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline jeffp51

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2014, 12:58:18 am »
look for the sticky on bamboo arrows from home improvement store.  You can make them any length you like.  With a long draw and low (40lb) weight, longer is better anyway, because the bamboo is pretty stiff stuff.  It is a good, cheap solution that you will like. 

Offline dueb

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2014, 10:35:01 pm »
I made a trip to Lowe's and found some 3/8 ths inch poplar dowels. I brought them home and made a spine tester and they match my bow very nicely! thanks for the help guys!  ;D
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline Buck67

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2014, 05:17:17 am »
5/16" poplar dowel rods from Lowe's Hardware are 48" long.  They usually have a spline weight of around 35 to 42 pounds.  They cost about 85 cents each.  Make sure to pick through them and only buy the ones with the grain running the full length.

Offline dueb

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2014, 10:26:15 am »
What I did was bought three different kinds of dowels, came home and tested the spine on each. Then I picked the ones that matched the bow and my draw length (happened to be the 3/8th poplar) and put them through the bow, They worked out great!!! I'll be sure to check the grain, don't want one splintering/exploding when I let loose.  ;)
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline Buck67

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2014, 09:34:19 am »
You often can't see the grain in the Poplar dowels unless you stain the wood.  I had one blow up on me the other day that I had hand picked.  Turned out it was straight for 90% of the shaft but had a tight curl near the fletching that I never noticed.  Luckily it held together and made it downrange.

mikekeswick

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2014, 04:53:43 am »
3/8ths is quite chunky diameter wise. You will likely get much nicer arrows from using cane. Most garden canes you buy are Tonkin cane (which is bombproof) it's best to buy a good few canes and they can be bought cheaply in large bundles if you look about. As mentioned above there is a great build-a-long on how to make them. They are a bit of work but well worth it in my eyes.

Offline dueb

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2014, 01:28:33 pm »
Yeah, I'm going to try and find some cane locally. I feel they would make better arrows than poplar, but for now I have six poplar arrows to mess around with in the yard.  ;)
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it: Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Offline Buck67

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Re: Long Arrow shafts
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2014, 03:44:53 pm »
Much of the Tonkin cane that I have seen splines out in the 65# to 120# and up range.  I bought a bundle of 500 Tonkin Cane to mess about with.  Over 70% have spline weights over 65#.