Making an Arrow

[Ben Casey]

Hi guys

I'm having a bash at making an arrow for a survival bow and wonder if any of you could help with some advice?

I have all the stuff I need it is mainly putting the flights on where I get a bit stuck they always look a mess so if anyone can say of any good ways to secure them on there or the best length and stuff that would be great :D

I will put some pics on later at my attempt :)

Cheers Ben

[CanadianMike]

So you are saying it looks like a flu-flu?

[AdrianRose]

Keep us posted in this one please mate.

I tried doing the Ray Mears arrow with bluebell bulbs and goose feathers a few years back with zero success.

To be honest it looked like something that my little girl could have knocked up when she was at nursery 7 years ago!!

Good luck and let's have some pics.

Ade.

[Ben Casey]

I will get some pics up in the morning it looks a bit naff but it is a practice run so Im working on it and a newbie to trying it :D

Hi Mike a flu-flu :confused: Help LOL

[luresalive]

put it on by tacking with pine pitch then wrap between the filaments with thread,or sinew if you want to be traditional.

[Ben Casey]

Cheers mate I have used a bit of inner from Paracord at the min just to see the sort of layout or a way to get round it :)

[CanadianMike]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flu-flu_arrow

[Ben Casey]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flu-flu_arrow

Cheers mate I will go and have a look :)

[CanadianMike]

This one is better...

http://tradgang.com/flu-flu/

....it has pictures! :)

[bigzee]

I did make some a while ago, and encountered the same problem. I decided to make 2x flights set at 180 degrees using thin plastic (taken from a milk bottle). They flew nice and straight, however they took a slice out of my left hand every time I released. Ahhh...so that's why they use soft feathers....DOH!!

[Ben Casey]

Cheers guys for the help here are a couple of pics like I say I'm just messing about at the min but I think I will get some of the specialist kit in the New Year now that I have my shed I could try and do some bows to as it really interests me :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6587116867_6b53cde2fd.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6587118889_206fc5d117.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6587118263_c9fbe9fa2c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6587117527_cbec1b49b2.jpg

[bigzee]

That doesn't look half bad mate! The fletching looks way better than you'd described.

[Ben Casey]

That doesn't look half bad mate! The fletching looks way better than you'd described.

Cheers mate it is just tied at the min as I'm still experimenting and it is quite relaxing sitting trying things out :)

[CanadianMike]

Yup, looks like a flu-flu! Lol, just without the extreme angles on the feathers.

[Ben Casey]

Hi Mike thanks :) I have been messing about again this afternoon so I will put a couple more pics on :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6589822487_d8cca43011.jpg
This was my first attempt so on the others I thought I would try something different :)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6589825395_d28e9c0bc9.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6589826983_9d9a5b7716.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6589823867_3dac31b904.jpg

I used my chair as a sort of table/Clamp LOL

[CanadianMike]

You could make it more streamlined by trimming the feathers down and rounding it. I made a couple flu-flus when I was a teen, used blue feathers and turned out a lot like yours (except aluminum shafts).

[Ben Casey]

You could make it more streamlined by trimming the feathers down and rounding it. I made a couple flu-flus when I was a teen, used blue feathers and turned out a lot like yours (except aluminum shafts).

I was thinking about that I have ran out of feathers at the min so I only have two on the new one at the min :( So I'm of to do an order for the New Year and I will see about getting some other stuff to help hold and stuff :)

[bigzee]

It looks as if you've bought both "business ends" of these, am I correct?

[Ben Casey]

It looks as if you've bought both "business ends" of these, am I correct?

Yeah I got the shafts (if thats what they are called) and the whole lot to have a go at doing it I think I have about 8 of each left but I lost a bit messing with the feathers on that side :( Mind you I can always have a look around the local paths here or beach for them I think :)

[swkieran]

that's nice ben,have you made the bow to go with it ,bow' n arrows facinate me,have u seen the english long bow in action,some bow that,you have to have fore arms like a docker's wife lol

[Ben Casey]

that's nice ben,have you made the bow to go with it ,bow' n arrows facinate me,have u seen the english long bow in action,some bow that,you have to have fore arms like a docker's wife lol

I got interested at the Cornwall RV I done the workshop for making a survival bow and I liked the way it turned out as it felt good doing it and I had never tried before :) So I thought if I make some arrows I can do the same this year :) It is a really interesting subject I'm busy looking round the internet for info and stuff at the min but some of the stuff is way to high in price :(

[swkieran]

i can well imagine, but there works of art and alot goes into making them,there was a reinactment play i went to,and they were firing the longbow,so powerful it can rip through armour ,or through lines of enemy infantry.early day's missle.i think the x bow stuff is cheaper m8.

[Ben Casey]

Well I have to admit I was a bit over the top in my statement as they do look really good :) It is just when you look and think Whow what price LOL But I do hope that next year to be able to make my own :) So my main project is getting my shed kitted out with all the tools I need for all the projects and ideas that keep coming on here :) I blame Ashley to be honest :D

[Ben Casey]

I found this website again it is where I got my arrows from he seems resonable but I'm still looking (I don't know if I need to put that I don't know them personally). But the services was okay I thought.

http://www.english-longbow.co.uk/

[dog.breath]

I think your arrow looks great! As CanadianMike pointed out, you could trim the fletchings to make it fly faster and farther. Here are a couple of nice video tutorials on arrow making:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxeFvDgXE54


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LR4i30MNY

[Ben Casey]

Hi Thhanks for the Vids they are really good and I love the music and the second is cool because I can speak German :D

[Fletching]

...so I guess the German for Fletcher is Pfeil.

Sounds like 'fail'.

Oh, kinda makes sense, I s'pose. :(

[Ashley Cawley]

I've just caught up with this thread, looks like your doing well Ben, nice one bud.

There was a video about a bow maker I enjoyed a while back, don't know if you've seen it, I'll try and find.... got it...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB_EQP3FoHw

[Ben Casey]

Cheers Ash It is a really interesting subject and useful to I think Im going to order some tools tonight so I can make the arrows as that is a bit fiddly at times but with the right kit I should be cooking on gas :) I will bring my stuff with me to Cornwall next year and who knows hopefully I will get to make a couple of bows at the same time and bring back somethings to carry on here :)

Hi there Steve Pfeil is basically arrow it can be just something long straight and pointy, well thats how I always understood it but I did have the odd communication problem in Germany hench being back in the UK :D

[dog.breath]

Nice video, Ashley. Thanks! I'm hoping to make my first bow in the coming year. Here's another video for anyone else looking for some inspiration.

http://vimeo.com/31470644

[Ben Casey]

Cheers again some cool stuff there :)

[Ben Casey]

Hi Guys I found this on the way and it seems to be quite good so I thought I would put it in here :)

http://www.trueflightfeathers.com/guide.htm

[Ben Casey]

Hi guys I'm still having a play around with this and just waiting for my order for the Fletching machine to come through with somemore feathers :) Anyway I will put some pics on with what I have been doing so far :) I have an old attempt at an arrow that I have restarted after reading on the internet about ways of doing things. So I have gone for whats on the pics with a bit of a description when I get the Fletching machine through I will put some more on :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6613024049_3d450b0d2c.jpg

I decided to try and heat the bodkin up and try and burn it on a bit it seems to work a lot better and I don't have to loose a lot on the shaving side I will be getting a Tapering tool later at the moment I'm not quite getting the bodkin on straight but that will come I'm sure :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6613030587_b152caab8e.jpg

I got some gardening twine and split it down in to strands to wrap around the end of the arrow where the nock goes (It will save me buying nocks) :) I will be getting some beeswax to put on the twine I then secured it with Super glue for now it seems to do the trick and I will seal it with some clear PVA glue later

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6613029007_354fe9a852.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6613027241_4715f6b54b.jpg

I used my vice to hold the arrow then cut a slit in it with a hacksaw making it a bit wider after carefully with a thicker saw (I used the attachment on my folding knife) Then I sanded the grove out with sandpaper :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6613025531_af50e42b63.jpg

It looks a bit untidy but I carefully burnt it off a bit after I took the pic so it is a bit neater now :)

Excuse tha ashtray I smoke LOL

Ben

[CanadianMike]

Lol, I noticed the ash tray and thought "Hey, he smokes!" Is ok, I do as well.

Am going to look into making some arrows using hardware store dowel (figure out the safest size to get), and order feathers and tips, etc. Trouble is, I won't be able to shoot until spring. :(

[Ben Casey]

Lol, I noticed the ash tray and thought "Hey, he smokes!" Is ok, I do as well.

Am going to look into making some arrows using hardware store dowel (figure out the safest size to get), and order feathers and tips, etc. Trouble is, I won't be able to shoot until spring. :(

I can't do much yet either as I havent got a bow LOL But thats next on my list I just started doing the arrows as I can do them in doors with very little on the tools side :)
When I get the Fletching tool I will see if I can get the specks from it and post on here as it is simple to make from wood but I want to be sure that I get the angles right to pass on :) I'm going to make one to in the spring when I have my shed sorted.

[CanadianMike]

I actually used to assemble my own arrows, so don't need any info, what I do need is to figure out what is a decent size dowel and type of wood to give me a reasonable 'spine weight' for my bow. In which case would involve my donning my faceshield and gloves and pressure testing dowel diameters to see if they can stand up to the 45lbs of my recurve. From there, I'll start making a pile of arrows. I love my carbon fiber arrows, but at ~$80 per dozen........

[Ben Casey]

I actually used to assemble my own arrows, so don't need any info, what I do need is to figure out what is a decent size dowel and type of wood to give me a reasonable 'spine weight' for my bow. In which case would involve my donning my faceshield and gloves and pressure testing dowel diameters to see if they can stand up to the 45lbs of my recurve. From there, I'll start making a pile of arrows. I love my carbon fiber arrows, but at ~$80 per dozen........

Put some pictures on will you Mike please?

[CanadianMike]

Of what, my carbon arrows? Lol

[Ben Casey]

Any work LOL or arrows ermmmmmm come on its the New Year LOL

[CanadianMike]

Lol, I bought my arrows assembled except for the front inserts, so can't claim I made them. But it was over 20 years ago that I was gluing feathers onto aluminum shafts because I didn't like the plastic flights they came with. But will post pics later in the year as I make some, just for you honeybunch! ;)

Here's my best grouping though...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/321210_10150415020074207_510619206_8179474_2913168 43_n.jpg

......imagine if I went back to using sights again! :O

[Ben Casey]

Thats cool mate I never got that good with my rifle in the Army :D

[Martin]

Thats cool mate I never got that good with my rifle in the Army :D

Perhaps you should have tried using bullets instead??

Martin

[Ben Casey]

I started working on this hopefully to be a bow last summer it is in my shed at the min now I'm getting some tools together I will be able to complete it :)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6614717393_f5148b1afd.jpg

[Ben Casey]

Perhaps you should have tried using bullets instead??

Martin

After 17 years I just worked out I was a lousy shot :)

[CanadianMike]

Were you throwing the rifle at the target? Lol

A few years ago I went shooting a couple times with my buddy Joe and his new Remington 700 rifle in .308, turns out I'm not too bad with that either, turned in these two three round groups at 50yards

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/6000_109923534206_510619206_2055699_7110369_n.jpg

and the time before, pulled off this five shot group at 142 yards

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2601/67/24/510619206/n510619206_1431793_2713286.jpg

Not bad for only shooting a rifle of that caliber once before!

Now, back onto arrows..... :D

[Ben Casey]

Best to before Martin comes back :D

[CanadianMike]

Ya, no kidding. He might show me up with his shootin ability. ;)

BTW,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G1b4jjMTUE

[Ben Casey]

I think I still have a lot to learn LOL

[CanadianMike]

I spent all my archery years using sights and setting for a known distance, then dealing with it when outdoors shooting art various things, it sucked. So instinctive shooting is new to me, only have a couple hundred arrows downrange with it since I started again in November before the snow and cold hit, is quite easy actually, in comes the Zen and out goes all the useless man-made precision stuff.

[Ben Casey]

Hi All
I got my Fletching Jig today so I thought I would put some pictures up of it :) It isnt to bad but I haven't tried it yet so I will say how it goes later. The piece of wood that is on the pictures is to make my own as I want to have one just for the hell of it :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6636964975_d614866168.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6636973807_4f072df893.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6636967385_8f9c426e4d.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6636976429_1789a267e0.jpg

[CanadianMike]

I dare you to fletch that 2x4!!!! :D

[Ben Casey]

I dare you to fletch that 2x4!!!! :D

You lost me there Mike LOL Ah just got it :D yeah I could give it a go it will be fun to try LOL

[CanadianMike]

Heck ya, would be like the ultimate joke survival tool, a pointy sharp 2x4 with feathers on the other end for a more accurate hunting weapon. Glue on a compass and a whistle for good measure. And draw BG on it with a marker for extra selling points.

:)

[treefrog]

Heck ya, would be like the ultimate joke survival tool, a pointy sharp 2x4 with feathers on the other end for a more accurate hunting weapon. Glue on a compass and a whistle for good measure. And draw BG on it with a marker for extra selling points.

:)

Hey Mike, did you get that idea from Mountainous? Waiting for the review...

[CanadianMike]

Nope, forgot about him, but thought of all the stuff Bear Grylls is marketing these days, and various reviews I've heard about some pieces of the kit.............. ya, was where my mind was when typing above. Lol, the whole "Polishing a turd" kinda thing. Rather like, if Ikea took their low end brand of shelving units/TV stands, that will chip out bad on the sides if you slide them across the carpet, and put a well known name on the cabinets in order to boost sales, and they did, it'd still be a POS product, but marketing genius!

[Ben Casey]

We normally just hit people with 2 X 4 Mikw LOL

[CanadianMike]

That just adds to it's flexibility as a survival tool. :D

[Ben Casey]

That just adds to it's flexibility as a survival tool. :D

It does lol if you can hit it with an arrow you can bash anything to bits :D

I wonder if you would just happen to have a template there for feather shapes when Fletching it would be cool if you did? :D

[CanadianMike]

When I did put feathers on arrows I just used pre-cut ones I bought, which were the same shape as the plastic vanes I go rid of. Guess it gives you a means of being creative, eh?

[Ben Casey]

Yeah I will have to be creative I suppose I did my last ones on my test arrow free hand they seemed to turn out ok :) But I want to make them nice and flashy LOL

[CanadianMike]

All depends on what you want them to look like, medieval, modern, target type, hunting type, etc. I'm gonna have a go myself come spring, make a couple dozen wood arrows for my bow, but also want to come up with some smaller diameter lighter arrows for my slingshot mods, they shoot my carbon arrows ok, but seems they are too heavy, I want something fast and light for that usage.

[CanadianMike]

Just a heads up, stopped at the hardware store on the way back from work to pick up more high temp bricks to make another forge (the one I made last winter has done over two dozen blades, and is falling apart badly, even with the "fix" I did of wrapping it with chicken wire)........ anyways, had been meaning to check out the dowel they have there, found out it's poplar, 36" long, and comes in 5/16" ($1.29 each) and 3/8" ($1.49 each) diameters. So upon checking out various forums (search words poplar dowel arrow shafts), looks like I'm good to go with these, so I'll buy a half dozen or so (must check for grain and straightness) and start making some arrows after I order feathers and points. What I read, 5/16" is fine for spine weight up to about a 50lb draw bow, the 3/8" if for over that.

Just what I needed, something else to distract me from knifemaking this winter. ;)

[Ben Casey]

Sounds great mate I have been trying out making my own feathers but to be honest I think it is easier to get ready made so I'm going to buy a couple of different types and then copy them for templates :) But I have found a cutter to make them but it just seems to be getting more and more kit while I'm trying to stay sort of basic. I think I bought the wrong type of arrows as I got 11/32 I'm not sure what that equates to though but Im plodding on :)

[CanadianMike]

Halfway between 5/16" and 3/8", so should be used for bows between 45lbs and 60lbs I'd guess from what I read (What's your draw weight? Must be low since you made the bow, correct?). I have a 45lbs recurve, so 5/16" should be fine for me, but I'll be over protected when I try them. Makes me want to order feathers and tips right now actually. At least to start, then to find glue on broadheads to make more, no plans of hunting anytime soon, but you know the whole SHTF crowd and mentality, better to plan ahead and not need rather than dismiss it as bunk and find the need without supplies. I'll go for a dozen field tipped types, then maybe a dozen or two broadhead types later on.

Side note: Just made it to Tribal Elder status. Yay! :)

[Ben Casey]

My bow is still a piece of wood in my shed I started shaping it last year LOL But never got finished to be honest I think I will buy one to practice on and then hopefully in the spring and summer get on to making one. As that is what I really fancy doing is to make my own I suppose I just started on the arrows as I had a few of them laid around from last year when I went to the RV and made the survival bow :)

[CanadianMike]

Alright Ben, just started making an arrow (too late to do knife work) out of a 5/16" poplar dowel, got the self nock cut and shaped, cut to length, rough sanded and a good wipe of polymerized tung oil sealer. Only took a pic of the nock end so far, need to wait for it to dry, etc. I'm going the experimental route, bought a dozen plastic vanes, will make this one and with no point (rounded I guess), will see if this diameter will work in my bow or splinter (trust me, welding gloves with skirt tucked under my sleeve, full face shield, etc. and various draw lengths before full draw......) Let you know how I make out, once I settle on a diameter (not a lot of choices for dowel, the two I mentioned, one will be too heavy, one might be ok.

Also, after watching one of Dave Canterbury's videos on how to make 'A Common Man's Broadhead', I got to thinking "Hmmmm, I make knives........ if I got thinner high carbon steel........ I could shape and harden, then sharpen, dual edge broadheads for some of the arrows I hope to make in the future to store for SHTF time if it ever occurs." Nutshell, I've been looking at buying glue on broadheads for wooden shafts, but why go the expensive route? Is like my buying a fixed blade hunting knife, makes no sense!!!! ;)

[Ben Casey]

Hi thats great I cant wait to see some pictures of how it comes out I'm just waiting for some feathers/fletchings to come through the post so I can try and make some templates :) And Im of to my local hardware store to look at dowel the problem here is they work in metres so I need to take one of my arrows with me to try and find one close to what I bought.

[Ben Casey]

I think I have all the stuff I need now some I'm going to make one or two tonight I will try and get some pics and post them :)

[dog.breath]

In case you need some inspiration:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6372178489_166431cb37_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/spirituscanis/6372178489/)

I'm still pretty new to arrow making - and archery for that matter - but it sure is a satisfying activity.

[Ben Casey]

Thats really cool I just a beginner so I need to get going as it really interests me I think it is very relaxing just sitting and making the Arrows and in the warmer weather Im looking forward to sitting out and making my own bow :)

[CanadianMike]

Be careful about the dowels you choose, they should have straight grain, no >>>>>>>>>> anywhere, and roll them on the floor to find the straightest ones. Poplar is semi easy to straighten with your fingers, and shapes well. And it's kinda tough to choose which diameter due to your not having a bow, so no idea draw weight, therefore no idea on spine weight (read up lots on using dowel for arrows, lots of useful advice and warnings!!!!)

[Ben Casey]

Cheers Mike I never thought about that I will have a look anyway and see what they have :)

[CanadianMike]

Just picked up a fletching jig, a dozen white feather vanes, two dozen blue, etc. Will grab some more dowel and make some arrows this weekend and post pics. Even if they end up not being strong enough for my bow, I still need lightweight arrows for my slingshots. ;)

[Ben Casey]

Sounds great my fingers are covered in glue at the min LOL I will put my pics up in the morning :D

[dog.breath]

Sounds great my fingers are covered in glue at the min LOL I will put my pics up in the morning :D

T^

[Edwin]

I nearly always use the Archery Centre. Worth reading the words of wisdom on the site as well.
http://www.archery-centre.co.uk/
His arrowshafts are not a bad price.
Excellent book is The Archer's Craft by AE Hodgkin. History as well as practical advice but that first arrow looked good to me.

[CanadianMike]

Sounds great my fingers are covered in glue at the min LOL I will put my pics up in the morning :D

After making my first, so are mine!!! Fletching glue, hot arrow insert and nock glue, Gorilla Glue...... shouldn't have used my fingers to smooth out the hot glue!!!!! OUCH!!! Still sore!!! Oh well....

Anyways, here are a bunch of pics for you guys that aren't attached to my Facebook friend list. My first arrow, 5/16" dowel, will put it through my slingshot first, then gradual draw lengths with my 45lb PSE Kingfisher recurve to see how it does. Then I'll move onto the rest...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401207_10150536001904207_510619206_8596302_1176566 608_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405252_10150536052834207_510619206_8596424_6081558 9_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/395040_10150536091184207_510619206_8596512_5742671 45_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/406767_10150536139744207_510619206_8596593_1044464 995_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400082_10150536171954207_510619206_8596690_2121552 037_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404698_10150536221564207_510619206_8596857_9923014 66_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/400559_10150536222704207_510619206_8596859_1471426 831_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406355_10150536227219207_510619206_8596866_1480154 137_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401078_10150536344919207_510619206_8597017_2039494 13_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404619_10150536346314207_510619206_8597018_1719799 902_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401308_10150536406539207_510619206_8597133_1186816 545_n.jpg

[CanadianMike]

Slingshot testing at maybe <10ft....... where's the arrow?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404853_10150536436734207_510619206_8597211_2083357 771_n.jpg?dl=1

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/406683_10150536437314207_510619206_8597212_1114237 666_n.jpg

So much for that choice of steel!!!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/409416_10150536438014207_510619206_8597214_1078643 647_n.jpg

[Ben Casey]

Thats really great and looks much better than mine im going to up load them soon to flickr then put them on here :) I was looking at Gorilla Glue is it any good as I have never used it before I just used super glue horrible stuff :( Anyway love the pics and the idea for your own steel point even if it did bend :)

[PIGEON]

Great thread T^

[Ben Casey]

Hi thanks for the compliment :)

Anyway here are a couple of my pictures from last nights attempt I hope they are okay :)

Here is a selection of the feathers/fletchings I have bought The plan is to copy the samller ones onto a template so that I can make my own from the biiger ones.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6735706635_db13d10bba.jpg

Here is the taper tool I bought I wish I had used Mikes idea and just bought a pencil sharpener it would have been cheaper :)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6735707399_1aa962d041.jpg

I'm trying to show the feather in the fletching clamp from the base up it is not to good but I hope it gives an idea :)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6735709013_b165be1801.jpg

Here I have the dowel in the fletching jig I have used ready made nocks but I'm going to start doing my own and just saw into the tip as it is better I think I just need to perfect the sawing as I keep going of middle and it looks naff :)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6735708197_74286be04f.jpg

Here i have the feather in the clamp and on the arrow on the internet it had a tip about using elastic bands to help secure the fletching better but as you can see with the ready made nock it buckled so it wasnt to good and up till now I keep getting problems in this area :(
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6735709791_6765fc54a3.jpg

Here I'm showing the first one on I had this mad idea about trying to mark the dowel as a guide but I was a bit out :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6735710623_9cec3665fb.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6735711399_dbe0050775.jpg


Here I have the rest on and it doesnt look to bad apart from being covered in glue all over my fingers :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6735712213_4a7e125317.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6735712213_4a7e125317.jpg

I did have another pic but it hasnt come out so I will take it again as it was from the top showing all the fletching and it looks pretty cool if I say so myself :) Anyway i hope yous enjoy :D

[dog.breath]

Ben, Mike, those arrows look great! Keep the pics coming :)

[CanadianMike]

Thanks, is kinda fun and a distraction from knife work. :)

Ben, Gorilla glue is awesome for some things, not so great for others. I wouldn't recommend it for arrow making, I tried a few types and made a mess. But the fletch job I did the other night, plastic vanes on a dowel I used the Gorilla glue, dampened the dowel and made a mess getting the vanes on, and yesterday found they peel off nicely! Super glue is a better choice, but use the gel type instead of the runny type. The fletching glue I bought is an instant glue but it's thick.

[Adam Savage]

Looking great guys. I have to say, those are the most complicated looking sticks I've seen so far :)

[dog.breath]

I also tried Gorilla glue for one arrow, and I agree, it came out pretty messy. I've had the best luck with liquid hide glue I got from 3Rivers Archery (I'm sure the same thing would be available at a regular hardware store).

[CanadianMike]

Ben, a few things from my experience with making your own nock slots:

1/ Make sure you are cutting your slot perpendicular to the grain run. Thought I had the grain direction sorted out and made my nock slot perpendicular to it, and when opening it up and testing on the serving of my string, wasn't wide enough and I got a split. If this arrow got shot without my knowing the grain, the string likely would have split the arrow before moving it at full speed, could have been a nasty dry fire.

2/ Use a thin saw to start your cut. I start with a mini hacksaw with really fine teeth to get a slight groove, then do the rest with a metal cutting jigsaw blade. Takes a bit of time to get it deep enough, but not that much.

3/ Sanding belts are a dream to widen the slot with!!! I was using a file and sandpaper, took forever and didn't work too well. Sanding belt (say 50x) is stiff enough to not bend as much as paper, plus you can shape it like this '(' or like this ')' to flatten out the slot, plus it cuts well enough to get the job done. A file loads with wood dust, sandpaper rips, the belt you just keep moving around to fresh stuff and it's a breeze!! Luckily I have dozens of them so it's easy for me to get. For you, doesn't matter what size you get, I use my 1" x 30" ones, which would be better for your use since you are only using the edge of it, pointless to buy a 3" x 18" belt only to use 1/4" of the edge.

4/ After I get the slot cut and the end bevelled a bit, I'll harden it with my lighter, then sand off the char.

[Edwin]

If you wanted really secure knocks then you can cut a slot with the grain but deeper than your planned knock, glue in a sliver of hardwood to fill slot and then turn the shaft 90 degrees and cut your finished slot across the original grain and the insert. It will be supported by the inserted wood.

[CanadianMike]

Lot of extra work but good idea.

[Edwin]

It used to be a rule that one spent as long looking for a lost arrow as one had spent making it.

[Ben Casey]

Cheers for all the tips guys it is like Mike says it sort of distracts you from the normal daily thing and it is relaxing :) Now I have my first one sort of finished and just need to keep on practising the nock slots as they annoyed me no end LOL Anyway I'm of to upload a couple of last pics then I will be planning my bow making :)

Opps and cheers to the guys for all the compliments :)

[CanadianMike]

Edwin, good rule of thumb! Lol

Ben, problem is, it's distracting me from other things I want/need to do, such as knifework, etc. Funny how I'm playing 'Spin The Bottle' with this!!

Anyways, I posted a pic on FB, here it is and what I typed under, seriously useful info!!!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/397046_10150538020134207_510619206_8601121_8034855 63_n.jpg

"Arrows don't lie! Don't have a spine weight tester, so took the risk of shooting at 10ft or so in the garage, the two green nocked arrows are my usual carbon arrows, one with new feathers, shot one 3/8" poplar dowel (without fletching, shows it's a bit over spined for my bow, and the 5/16" dowel to the left is underspined, it flung a LOT to the left. Will just use the remaining 5/16" dowels to make arrows for my slingshots."

My recurve is around 45lbs at 28", but because my draw length is about 29", from what I read, you have to add another 5lbs of spine weight to the arrow to accomodate that +5lbs per inch over or or -5lbs for under 28". At least poplar is so easy to sand, I can use 100x sandpaper on my shafts and tune the arrows I make out of the 3/8" dowel I buy in the future. Unfortunately, I lost my metal broadhead in the foam block after a couple shots. At least I can recover it later when I'm about to chuck the thing out. Lol

Still, an arrow at close range that is underweight will swing left, an overweight arrow will swing right. This is exactly what my picture shows. I have to do this at a longer distance and target at shoulder level, because the vertical angle of the arrow says things about the nocking point, too high or too low. My arrows are high at the nock end, have to look into this and sort out where my nocking point is on my new string, might have to lower it or raise it. Archers Paradox is a pain in the butt!

Just noticed the straightest arrow I shot was the one with feathers, makes total sense because the plastic vanes will hump over the arrow rest, where feathers will just separate strands, flatten and carry on like nothing was there in the way. Man, a picture DOES say a thousand words!!!!

[Ben Casey]

Hi Mike thats really cool I still have a lot to learn :( Anyway here are the last of my pics on the arrow I have made yesterday and today :) So my next project is to make a bow to try and shoot it and see what happens a bit like your tests :) The only thing is in making it myself I won't know any wieghts or draws :)

Oh well I will try anything once :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6737681607_e45e54c300.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6737682685_ac033d4a8d.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6737684149_9225089be5.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6737685207_117cd3d552.jpg

[Adam Savage]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6737681607_e45e54c300.jpg



Isn't it illegal to bow hunt for sofas in the UK? :p

[Ben Casey]

Isn't it illegal to bow hunt for sofas in the UK? :p

Whoops I better go check the law books :D

[CanadianMike]

Isn't it illegal to bow hunt for sofas in the UK? :p

Oops, I thought that was the point of choice for him for big game, launch a couch at the animal for maximum blunt force trauma!!!! DOH!

[Adam Savage]

Or use it as a dead fall :)

[CanadianMike]

That works too, in case he has mice or woodlice (like RoadKillPhil) in his flat. Lol

[Ben Casey]

Just wait Adam I will have you making bows after the R.V. LOL

[Al21]

If you wanted really secure knocks then you can cut a slot with the grain but deeper than your planned knock, glue in a sliver of hardwood to fill slot and then turn the shaft 90 degrees and cut your finished slot across the original grain and the insert. It will be supported by the inserted wood.

I've seen thin pieces of horn used like this to strengthen knocks too.

Al

[Ben Casey]

I've seen thin pieces of horn used like this to strengthen knocks too.
Al

I have seen this on some videos on the net but I'm not sure if I have the right sized arrows they seem a bit thin the ones I bought are BOYTON PINE ARROW SHAFTS 11/32 - 55/60. but I will try one out when I get my bow made and see what happens :) Any tips on sizes would be great though as I'm just learning but from the learning it is a great experience and very relaxing in it's way :)

[CanadianMike]

Shafts you have are spined for 55 and 60lb draw weight. So instead of choosing arrows for your bow's draw weight, you'll have to make your bow match your arrows! Lol

[Ben Casey]

Sounds good mate I had a look online earlier and a company is selling a long bow for 71 pound so I might order it next week just to be able to go and play with the arrow I have made to see what it is like :)

Here is a link to the bow I dont know if it will be any good but it might get me through till I have made mine :)

http://www.centreshot.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/products_id/722

[CanadianMike]

You actually need one in the 55 to 60lb range, can't go over that because your arrows will be under spined and not fly right. Besides, how much have you shot a bow in your life? Asking because unless you have shot a fair bit and have developed the shoulder muscles to draw that heavy, you'll be in for a total shock! My last compound bow I had set up at 65lb draw weight, let off was about 45lbs or so, I found it easy to draw. But this bow I have now, the recurve, is 45lbs at 28", is a tough one to draw and hold.....

[Ben Casey]

Ermmmmmmm I never thought about that :D I have only fired one about four or five times and two of them was at the RV last year I better rethink my idea LOL

But I think I will be ok we all have to start somewhere :)

[CanadianMike]

True, but it's easier to learn on a tuned set up, and especially when dealing with wood arrows, you don't want to use a 55/60 wood arrow in your 71lb bow, the arrow could break and imbed itself through your hand or wrist. Isn't that far off for spine weight, but I saw a pic yesterday of the rear half of an arrow having gone through a person's hand, was pretty grisly!

Besides, remember the pic I posted above and the arrow I shot (5/16" shaft) that I found was under spined? See how far left it's gone? Have to see what it's like at longer ranges, but that early test shows it's too light for my bow. You want your arrows to end up square to the target as much as possible, not hit the target sideways. ;)

[Al21]

Hi Ben, I think you might find this of interest: www.brixhamarchers.co.uk/web/pages/info/Arrow%20Workshop.pdf

Mike. The bow Ben linked to is priced at £71 and available in three draw weights; 25, 30 and 40lbs. :)

Ben I think you might benefit from joining up to a field archery club near you if possible. They'll get you started in the right direction and help with matching you to draw weight and length for bow and arrows as both these determine the spine requirements of the arrows you use.

Al

[Edwin]

I agree that a 55-60lb bow will be a heavy pull until you are used to it but a 50lb should be alright. I won't be doing the bow workshop this year but hope to visit the RV for a day or day depending how I am getting on. If we can settle a day I could bring over my 70, 50 pounds and a light bow over for you to try out.

I don't worry about spine providing all arrows in a bunch are roughly the same, arrows of lighter spine won't shatter on the bow because its a heavier bow. Accuracy may be affected. I shoot the cheap practice arrows we use for our have a go archery from my 70lb with no problem although the 3/8th of an inch ones are more accurate.

[CanadianMike]

Hi Ben, I think you might find this of interest: www.brixhamarchers.co.uk/web/pages/info/Arrow%20Workshop.pdf

Mike. The bow Ben linked to is priced at £71 and available in three draw weights; 25, 30 and 40lbs. :)

Ben I think you might benefit from joining up to a field archery club near you if possible. They'll get you started in the right direction and help with matching you to draw weight and length for bow and arrows as both these determine the spine requirements of the arrows you use.

Al

DOH!!!! I guess I should have checked the link, eh? I saw "Longbow for 71........" and my brain didn't register it was the price, not the draw weight!!! Anyways, even 40lb draw will not work perfectly with 55/60 arrows. Better, less whipping, but still, am just trying to get him to match the bow he chooses with the arrows he made, kinda like matching the bullet type with the gun you want to shoot it through.

BTW, a heavy bow for an inexperienced user isn't a huge deal, here's a pic of my buddy Jean shooting my PSE Kingfisher bow, because he hadn't shot a bow since he was a little kid, he wasn't able to get it to full draw (he also has a bit shorter draw length than me), he was still able to get decent groupings on the target without sights.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/376204_10150417052534207_510619206_8188067_1012918 108_n.jpg

His second round of shots at 25ft:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386253_10150417055079207_510619206_8188085_8250649 78_n.jpg

[Ben Casey]

Hi Guys cheers for the tips and advice it just goes to show I dont really think about what I'm going to do first I have been trying all my life but still get carried away when I see something I like :D

@Edwin it would be great to meet up if your there for the day :) I can plan the day sround you so let me know what day and it will be great :)

@Al Thanks for that I wondered what the 25/30/40 was LOL I don't think there is many clubs around here I will have to google I think. To be honest there is not a lot around here :(

[Adam Savage]

To be honest there is not a lot around here :(

That's cause it be bleak ooop north :p

[Ben Casey]

That's cause it be bleak ooop north :p

Its a 100 Horse village here mate they all ride around on them with carts and park them in the field behind me at night when I'm asleep so I wake up to strange noises and think I'm having nightmares :( Mind you I could use one or two for a bit of horse meat later in the year :D

[CanadianMike]

Hence the want of some arrows and a bow, eh? ;)

[Adam Savage]

Ben's just getting ready for the Saxon invasion :D

[CanadianMike]

Sounds like he's on some good drugs!

[Edwin]

Incidentally Mike did I see your friend stringwalking when he was drawing the Kingfisher? Is that preferred over there to the Mediterranean three finger draw with one above and two below the arrow?

[Ben Casey]

Ben's just getting ready for the Saxon invasion :D

I think I'm part viking so I have to be ready lol

@Mike they are good ones mate but a bit heaviy at times :(

Anyway back to the thread now before our Martin pops by :D

[CanadianMike]

Incidentally Mike did I see your friend stringwalking when he was drawing the Kingfisher? Is that preferred over there to the Mediterranean three finger draw with one above and two below the arrow?

I suggested it to him because it's a short bow (60") and all my life I shot one over/two under, but due to the nock getting cramped with my index finger over (often I'd barely be pulling with that finger), I decided to just start shooting it with three fingers under, easier overall.

[Al21]

DOH!!!! I guess I should have checked the link, eh? I saw "Longbow for 71........" and my brain didn't register it was the price, not the draw weight!!! Anyways, even 40lb draw will not work perfectly with 55/60 arrows. Better, less whipping, but still, am just trying to get him to match the bow he chooses with the arrows he made, kinda like matching the bullet type with the gun you want to shoot it through.

Easily done fella.

I agree that Ben's 55/60 arrows wont match a 40lb bow. Particularly when adding in arrows have the spine rating for modern bows with a cut out arrow shelf. I was told that an arrow for a long bow should have a spine rating of 10lb less than one for a riser with an arrow shelf.

Edwin has a point though and we might be getting to caught up on the whole spine thing. Most important thing is for Ben to get in a field with a wang a few arrows a good distance and enjoy their flight. Getting the spine right for accurate target shooting can come later and be a good excuse for making another set! :)

One last thing, shortly after I started shooting at a local club with my recurve and having expressed an interest in longbows an older gentleman was trying to get me to buy a 65lb longbow he found too much for him as the years increased. At the time, my bow had 35lb limbs, but his 65lb felt quite comfortable and the 50lb he shot regularly I found easy. So I think the length of a longbow and the action they have makes drawing heavier weights easier than a shorter recurve bow. I know that's more from an impression I had rather than any scientific fact, but there you have it anyway. :)

Al

[CanadianMike]

My big reasoning was his not having arrows too heavy or too light for the bow he gets, kinda makes for a disappointing experience...... kinda like flinging my carbon arrows through my slingshot. Lol

[Ben Casey]

I'm just thankfull for all the advice as if I went and done it myself I would probably try using a spear in a bow LOL

[CanadianMike]

You'd probably be able to throw the bow farther too....... ;)

[Ben Casey]

You'd probably be able to throw the bow farther too....... ;)

Love it :D

[Edwin]

Throwing the bow is an advanced technique after scoring 37 greens.

[Ben Casey]

Throwing the bow is an advanced technique after scoring 37 greens.

Would it mean I win :D

[CanadianMike]

Am going to put this in here as safety info. Is a slow motion video of a slightly damaged arrow being fired from a compound bow and breaking, same can be done with an arrow that is under spined too much for the bow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzEAp32rntQ&feature=related

[dog.breath]

Nice one, Mike. Here's another cool video demonstrating both the Archer's Paradox and what can happen when using an arrow that's too weak for the bow from which it's being shot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzWrcpzuAp8

[Edwin]

?Defective shaft, spine not a factor. Can't really tell but the rear portion of the shaft seemed too stiff or wasn't bending so the stresses had cause a break before the "wiggle " reached the end.

I have shaved shafts right down until they were really too light to fly and they still haven't broken.

[CanadianMike]

That one was damaged, but a comment below said he always checks his arrows but had an arrow break when he changed from a 60lb bow to a 70lb, which I can't see happening, but I'm talking extreme cases such as a 30lb spined arrow in a 70lb bow. Is more a keep in mind thing rather than focusing on a tuned system.

Extremely cool video dog breath, well done it is!

[Edwin]

Sorry, did you say the shaft was damaged anyway? So what is the video supposed to prove?

[CanadianMike]

Video I posted was a warning to always 'bend and twist' each arrow before you shoot it, otherwise that could happen.

[Ben Casey]

WOW Thats amazing I would never have thought that the arrows would fly like that I thought they just went out in a straight line :)

[CanadianMike]

Is a common thought. ;)

Pretty sweet, eh? Dave Canterbury has a video outlining arrow basics, quite informative:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydnt2lzVxv8

Basically, the 'archer's paradox' the string pushes on the rear of the arrow, which speeds up faster than the front, which causes the wrapping around the riser and the fishtailing flight you see. The second video, the last few shots, the lower spined weight arrow REALLY bends, then finally shatters. Notice the armour the shooter was wearing in anticipation of that?

Now, back to this picture, considering you now see how much an arrow bends, and how much MORE a lighter arrow will bend and fishtail:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/397046_10150538020134207_510619206_8601121_8034855 63_n.jpg

...the arrow on the left is my 5/16" arrow, and it's underspined for my bow, the arrow hit the target at about a 45 degree angle because it was fishtailing so extremely. The heavier spined arrows pretty much just went in straight.

[Ben Casey]

Your right but I suppose it is like the rifleing on the barrel of a gun in some ways if I had never been taught about the twist helping it go straight I would have though the world was mad :)

[CanadianMike]

Actually, you can make the arrow spin more or less with the angle you set the feathers at. Gain more accuracy, but lose arrow speed due to increased air resistance.

I editted the above post a couple times, last one was adding the link to the video I mentioned......

[Ben Casey]

I think I understand it all now just about :)

[CanadianMike]

Good place to learn, eh?

[Ben Casey]

Oh it isnt to bad I suppose LOL

[CanadianMike]

Ya, is alright...... ;)

So, you checked out Dave's video i linked?

[Ben Casey]

I had a quick look I'm going to watch it in a min the news came on so I went of to watch it :)

[Ben Casey]

Hi Mate I just watched it it is cool I didnt think there was so much into it like if the arrow snaps it can go through your arm and the weight and stuff :) I learnt quite a bit I think cheers :)

Ben

[CanadianMike]

Great, entire point of my letting you know about spine weights, trying to match your future bow to the arrows you invested money and time into (very proudly I'll add), and the possible dangers of greatly mis-matching spine weight. Plus, how to tell if your arrows are over spined (stick with shaft to the right) or under spined (to the left). And I think, an arrow doesn't care what hand shooter you are, never thought of that. ;)

[Ben Casey]

I will be taking all my stuff to the RV anyway so the guys can have a look at it and anyone can give me tips :) Im going to get a couple of different wieghts aswell just to see and things :) But cheers for the help it is great :)

[CanadianMike]

Good stuff!

Came across this just now, written by Tom Brown, a well known American tracker/survival guy (you may recognise the name from the knife he designed, the Tom Brown Tracker)........... on making your own bow and arrows.

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/hunting/bowandarrow/trm/trm3-1pg08.html

[CanadianMike]

Pretty cool video, hunting dragonflies with a primative bow......apparently it can only be done withouta shirt on.... Lol


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT-eFa-2KI4&feature=g-vrec&context=G23086aeRVAAAAAAAAAQ

[Ben Casey]

Some cool links there mate I like the way the Dragon flies seem to feel the arrow coming and fly off LOL

[CanadianMike]

They actually see it coming and move out of the way. Is how their eyes are set up to hunt small insects and catch them in midair. Very cool video though, slow motion arrow flights.

[Ben Casey]

I thought that was brill and the way they sort of spin/turn in the air is great :)

[CanadianMike]

Dragonflies are uber cool! Priceless over here as they eat mosquitos and blackflies!!!!

[Ben Casey]

I love anything that eats them LOL right I back of in the garden to finish my job of :)

[CanadianMike]

Updates!

First, my quiver.......

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425480_10150599499259207_510619206_8762802_6162760 41_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404476_10150599500099207_510619206_8762805_1190526 545_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/421081_10150599502139207_510619206_8762819_6925694 00_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/421272_10150599502669207_510619206_8762823_1981295 602_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/421154_10150599503569207_510619206_8762827_1781913 216_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429247_10150599504544207_649505601_n.jpg

Lined the edge with about 2" worth of sheep skin to quiet the rattling...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420342_10150599508619207_510619206_8762855_7070662 58_n.jpg

A dozen carbon arrows, room for at least six more......

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/419994_10150599534869207_510619206_8763026_4276151 65_n.jpg

Hemp wine gift bag I got from the local booze place, soaked it in Thompson's Water Seal (works like a charm, resists water well!)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/419128_10150599537439207_510619206_8763039_1314323 503_n.jpg

An arm guard I designed (first try will work great!), for testing wooden arrows I make, even protects the thumb base:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407046_10150602650994207_510619206_8771414_8255571 33_n.jpg

And now, the real point of my posting on here a few weeks later.......

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/422291_10150605005629207_510619206_8776518_8231167 _n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419084_10150605022139207_510619206_8776588_1465497 420_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418153_10150605179454207_510619206_8777033_1414078 060_n.jpg

:)

[dog.breath]

Wow! Nice work, Mike. I really dig all of those!

[Ben Casey]

Hi Mate thats all looking really good I need to get my backside back into gear :D

[CanadianMike]

Thanks guys. Am making the quiver modular, mostly it'll be a belt hanger type, but wanted to be able to remove the hanger and put a strap on for back carry. The arm guard I threw out on paper, looks like I got it bang on, will use it when I am wood arrow testing, the flare at the front covers my hand and the length goes to my palm. Bit of a pain to put it on, still working out the bugs. And I ordered a dozen and a half 5/16" field tips for the lighter arrows I'm making, need to wait a bit to buy 11/16 cedar shafts to mate up with my bow.

[CanadianMike]

Forgot I took another pic the other night. Just need to add the tie thread to the feathers, cut and glue the point on. BTW, shaft is covered with Minwax Wood Hardener, as is the cord wrap in front of the selfnock.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/423876_10150609797684207_510619206_8786595_6136635 12_n.jpg

[Ben Casey]

Thats nice mate I'm going to get started today on making somemore as I want to take them with me to the Cornwall R.V. and hopefully I will make a bow there and get to test them out :)

[CanadianMike]

Why not buy a cheaper bow first to play with and get used to the way it should be, then work on making your bow after?

[Ben Casey]

Thats a good idea I think I will but I was dead chuffed with the one I made last year my nephew has it now :(

[CanadianMike]

Hey, go for it, gets you shooting sooner and you'll be better able to make your bow with more patience.

[Ben Casey]

I will go have look online in a bit :D I made a couple of arrows this weekend but putting the fletching on is a nightmare even with a jig I need to get a better system I'm thinking about trying the tape they sell :)

[Edwin]

For a cheap quick bow have you looked at PVC bows. Lot of you tube videos on how to make one and they appear to shoot.

[Ben Casey]

Cheers I will go have a look now :D

[Ed101]

I remember doing this years ago. and totally ballsing it up. but now with the dawn of youtube you can learn how to do anything. theres loads of vids for this guys. heres a great one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRzKcHaRmDI)

[Ben Casey]

Hi cheers there it is cool :D

[Ben Casey]

Hi all I'm trying to get my bow done at the min :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6979861823_d1f3679030.jpg

[dog.breath]

Oooooh, lookin' good, Ben!

[luresalive]

Oh,that is resplendant!

[CanadianMike]

Nice! How's it coming along?

[Ben Casey]

Cheers guys I started it last year but left it outside over winter to see if it would saeson or something it seems to have turned out ok with no splits in it :) I have it nearly done now and I just need to get a decent shape/design to it then test fire it :)
I hope my neighbours will take some pictures for me while I fire it with one of my arrows Oh and I need a arm protector (BRACER) as I tried it earlier empty and nearl took my wrist of :D

That was using paracord though as a bow string :D

[CanadianMike]

Here's a warning, NEVER dry fire a bow, it can very well break. Much of the built up energy of a bow gets transferred into the arrow, where the rest is contained by the bow. Guess the best way to describe it is 30% goes into the arrow and 70% the bow, take away the arrow and the bow absorbs 100%. Out of my derriere numbers of course, but you get the idea.

[Ben Casey]

Cheers Mike I remember now the guy at the R.V. said that last year opppppppppppssssssssss I just got so excited at finally making something as I tried spoons and they ended up on the fire especially after I read that Holly is poisonous and they where all holly LOL

[Fletching]

...and don't set-up yer bed downwind of a big campfire. :)

baaaack to arrows..

[Ben Casey]

...and don't set-up yer bed downwind of a big campfire. :)
baaaack to arrows..

:off-topic: Does that mean ever time the wind changes I have to move my bed :D Back to Arrows now LOL

[Ben Casey]

I'm really miffed I worked all day on my bow sanding it and stuff the I went to put the bowstring on it tonight and it snapped :( Oh well back to the drawing board :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6848067984_21a57668b5.jpg

[CanadianMike]

That royally sucks! Guess you got the grain wrong when you chose it....... what piece of wood again?

[Fletching]

Ouch! :shocked:

Bummer mate. You put loadsa work into that bow too. I was lookin' forward to seein' that down the RV too. Feel for ya, mate.

Steve

[jus_young]

Gutted mate.

[Ben Casey]

Oh well life goes on I have my eye on another piece of Hazel which I will get in the Autum :) It was meant to be Hazel and just a survival bow but I got a bit to carried away I think :) So I'm of up to the local grave yard to see if I can find some Ash as they may have some there :) Cheers guys

[rossbird]

Hope you find what you want Ben.
Put the first one down as a practice...this next one is the real thing!
Good luck.

Tony

[Ben Casey]

Oh Im always practising and when something turns out it has worked lol

[Ben Casey]

Hi Guys
I'm not sure whether to put this in this thread or the Cornwall thread :confused: Anyway I started this survival bow at the R.V. but mainly so that I can test the arrows that I have made :) Anyway it isnt quite finished yet but I managed to string it without it snapping and I have put some beeswax on the bow as I read somewhere it will help :D Well in the morning I'm going to sand it a bit and thin one side out a touch then I will hopefully be of to the field at the back to do a test run with my home made arrows :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/6934728236_d9c94d58eb.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6934731202_ec27fa66cc.jpg

[Martin]

Why don't you start a new thread to show the progress of your new bow?

Martin

[Ben Casey]

Ok Mate I will do I will finish this one off and then I have plans to make a new bow I'm just trying to find a Yew tree at the min where I can get a stave from to do a better one from scratch :)

[AL...]

Nice lookin bow Ben
Well done

Cheers
AL

[CanadianMike]

Nice! Please post a video of your first shots with it.....

:)

[Ben Casey]

Cheers guys I finished it of today apart from a bit of final decoration (it is on the Cornwall thread) or so and I can draw it nearly fully :) I'm taking it easy with it as I dont want to snap this one. I'm hoping to get out in the morning to do a test and will see if I can get someone to do a vid for me :D

[Ben Casey]

Hi all I finally got out to test my bow and a couple of arrows I had made in my opinion it went like magic and the arrows must have gone at least 200 meters :) (Well I think they did). Anyway maybe butchthedogthedog would like to say something as we both got out at the weekend to a local woods :) I'm sure we will both do a thread about our weekend of Roughing it soon :D

P.S I hope it is okay with the Admins to restart this thread as it seems a bit daft to reopen another one as people wont know what I'm on about :)
Oh and can some one tell me how to check the draw of my bow for weight? :)

[Adam Savage]

Easiest way to test draw is with a luggage scale. Just wrap a bit of leather around the string so it doesn't damage with the steel of the hook, and draw using the handle on the scales :)

[Ben Casey]

Ah cheers mate I have done that and it has a 20lb Draw :) Cheers for that :D


Easiest way to test draw is with a luggage scale. Just wrap a bit of leather around the string so it doesn't damage with the steel of the hook, and draw using the handle on the scales :)

[Adam Savage]

Not too bad for a home built, hand made bow T^

[AL...]

Well done ben :)
Looking into building some take down arrows to keep in my pack That I can use out of a Catapult. for fishing .
Cheers
AL

[Ben Casey]

Cheers guys I was worried it would snap but I had covered it in beeswax for ages now and it seems very flexible :) I was so chuffed when it worked I forgot to get some pictures but on my next outing I will :D

[butchthedog]

Hi Ben
your bow certainly impressed me and as you say they covered a fair distance, some had gone that far they were difficult to keep in sight and find. You made a damn good job of making that bow and arrrows Ben, not a bad shot with it either, we both managed to aim for and hit a half acre of grass with it, I think a bit of practice will help with that though LOL. So fella's I can say Bens workmanship is pretty damn good, I only wished he was as accurate with a kettle while pouring boiling water (ouch) . Oh and Ben I am down to Three litres of tea a day now.

Dave

[Ben Casey]

Hi Mate

Cheers for the compliment next time we are out we could make a couple of bows :) Oh and you moved your hand so it wasn't my fault LOL Oh alright I accept the blame :) Oh and you said you liked tea :camping: I really enjoyed getting out in the woods with you mate it was great fun for a first time out in ages and I hope you enjoyed it :) We will have to meet up again to discuss having a thread on the forum about it :)

T^

[butchthedog]

Hi Mate
we will do just that then. I enjoyed it as well, you make good company and you were gentle with me being as it was my first time LOL. Just seen some asbestos gloves for holding teacups while camping on Fleabay.:innocent:

Dave

[Ben Casey]

I'm always gentle when it is someones first time :innocent: And I think you will need them gloves as I was sure you were going to pick up that burning log :rolleye: Anyway when I come over with all the pics we can do a thread about the weekend :jumping-joy:

Ben


Hi Mate
we will do just that then. I enjoyed it as well, you make good company and you were gentle with me being as it was my first time LOL. Just seen some asbestos gloves for holding teacups while camping on Fleabay.:innocent:

Dave

[butchthedog]

Hi Mate
will look forward to that :rock-on: Oh and if you manage to see a target, buy the large 15ft diameter one, cos the bullseye is a foot lager on that one :happy-clapping:

Dave

[David_JAFO]

hello,
DITTO :wink:
T^
Regards
David

put it on by tacking with pine pitch then wrap between the filaments with thread,
or sinew if you want to be traditional.

[Ben Casey]

I have ordered some targets this morning mate I ordered four big ones so we can put them all next to each other then there is more chance of hitting at least one :jumping-joy:


Hi Mate
will look forward to that :rock-on: Oh and if you manage to see a target, buy the large 15ft diameter one, cos the bullseye is a foot lager on that one :happy-clapping:

Dave

[butchthedog]

Hi Mate
should of got five targets, four round the outside and one in the middle painted red as the bull, Ha Ha.....:guns:

[butchthedog]

Hi Ben
look out there are two of us now, thanks for your support JAFO :happy-clapping:

[Ben Casey]

If the target gets any bigger then the woods will be covered mind you I was always a bad shoot in the Army :ashamed: When i was of shooting the bow on my own I was tempted mind you to fire it back up your way to save havng to carry the arrow :guns: Then I had thought I better not I might of hit you so be happy with the boiling water :evilgrin:


Ben


Hi Mate
should of got five targets, four round the outside and one in the middle painted red as the bull, Ha Ha.....:guns:

[butchthedog]

Oh I'm happy, I'm happy LOL :tongue:

[Ben Casey]

Ha Ha Two mins I have a couple of pics to upload :D


Oh I'm happy, I'm happy LOL :tongue:

[Ben Casey]

I decided to make a couple of Arrows today so now we don't have to walk back and forwards with the one arrow like at the weekend :) Now we have nine and I have ordered some so I can make some more now we just need to make you a bow mate then we could play war games :war: LOL


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8103509343_04ae686786.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8103507699_6a86d7fec5.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8103505037_8e7babbd22.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8103502109_e2fc3159cd.jpg

Oh a quick one thats :off-topic: I got a refund on that shovel I bought and they let me keep it so maybe we could weld it together next time we meet up :)

[butchthedog]

No probs Ben, will weld that for you,,,,,,, I bet you bend it next Ha Ha ;)

[butchthedog]

Them arrow's look good

[Ben Casey]

With the way you weld mate it will last forever no matter what I dig :) Look at the cooking stand you made it is solid as a rock :)


No probs Ben, will weld that for you,,,,,,, I bet you bend it next Ha Ha ;)

[AL...]

Arrows look fantastic Ben .

Cheers
AL

[butchthedog]

Thanks Ben, that's a fancy bit of kit you have on your coffee table (the red thing with the arrow in it)

[Ben Casey]

It is for Fletching the arrows mate it sort of gets the feathers inline I will have to show you one day it makes life easier :)

@Al Cheers mate :)


Thanks Ben, that's a fancy bit of kit you have on your coffee table (the red thing with the arrow in it)

[butchthedog]

I think you may of mentioned it before, sorry Ben, it's the withdrawal symtoms coming off the tea. :p

[Ben Casey]

Ha ha Dont go blaming me for your addiction just like on the advert say JUST SAY NO lol


I think you may of mentioned it before, sorry Ben, it's the withdrawal symtoms coming off the tea. :p