Building your own arrows

[Dodger2]

I'm thinking about getting the supplies to start building my own arrows. I was just wondering how difficult it is. I know that I would need to get a high speed saw to cut carbon shafts, I shoot carbons, so I wanted to start by just fletching my own arrows. I thought it would be something to fill the gap between hunting seasons.

[jamaro]

Dodger..

You don't need a high speed saw... My local shop charges me $.25 an arrow for cutttnig of my arrows... That is if charges me at all. You typically cut your arrows once but re-fletch your arrows a bunch of times.. It is super easy to fletch your own arrows.. Personally I like teh Jo-Jan Fletchers..

 

Jason

[Redman]

Dodger..

  You don't need a high speed saw... My local shop charges me $.25 an arrow for cutttnig of my arrows... That is if charges me at all.  You typically cut your arrows once but re-fletch your arrows a bunch of times..  It is super easy to fletch your own arrows..  Personally I like teh Jo-Jan Fletchers..

 

Jason

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I would agree its just as easier to get arrow cut to length from where you buy them from.

 

Fletching is simple. I use the Arizona Easy Fletch (only one I have owned) and can fletch a dozen in less than an hour.

 

Couple of tips I know. use a potato peeler to remove old flecthings. Clean the shaft really well with soap and water.

 

I use blazer vanes with fletch tight glue and they rarely come off.

 

Redman

[Dodger2]

Thanks for the replies. You answered my main questions about fletching, etc. I'm just tired of having to take my arrows in to get them reflected and I figured, if its like tying flies or reloading bullets, that it would save me some gas money if you know what I mean.

 

Thanks

[BowhuntCoues]

Dodger,

Its pretty easy, you can also talk with the guys at the pro shop to recommend the right glue for the vanes you purchase. And always make sure everything is clean before you start.

[dave]

Redman,

I will have to try the potatoe peeler thing.

I think the person that can invent a good way to strip vanes off a carbon shaft will be a rich man.

I would encourage any person that wants to make their own arrows to go for it. Get the cut-off saw, get some dust masks, have good ventilation, fast set gel will really screw you up. I am too slow to use an AZEZfletch. I have to use a bitzenberger.

[DesertBull]

If you going to "roll your own" you might as well get some cool cresting on your arrows too!

 

Black carbon arrows with a florecent orange crest and white fletching makes an easy to find arrow and easy to follow in flight.

[jamaro]

I really like wraps.. Easy and cheap... You can find them on AT for about 5 a dozen.

 

jason

[Nick Z]

I been building my own for alotta years now and not only does it fill time but its very gratifying too. But the best is when you build some arrows from the turkey you shot then harvest a deer with one of them. I was lucky enough to do that this year. its more work but you did say you wanted to make use of some dead time. And you will need a feather burner for that. I got mine on ebay.

I cut my carbons on my grinder in the garage.. use the corner of the stone to cut then the side to flatten and even out the cut..its easy if you lean the arrow on the grinder frame as so it dosnt jump around. good luck and enjoy!

[bowcrazy]

I have also been building my own arrows for quite a while,I use a jo-jan mutifletch and have had very good results with it. It will do a straight fletch to a 15 degree right helical and is very easy to use. Just remember to clean everything very well before setting the veins or feathers to shaft, I also try to dry run a shaft to make sure its what i want before setting them with glue. if you have any tools around the house a die grinder with a cutoff wheel works well to cut carbon shafts, just remember to use a dust mask and safety glasses.

[Dodger2]

Thanks again for all the helpful information. I was planning on use wraps as well. I've heard that they help with adhesion. I figured that everything needed to be cleaned if the glue would work correctly.

 

Overall, I think its just my evolution as a hunter. One more task to complete in the fall.

 

Thanks again

Matt

[Redman]

Redman,

I will have to try the potatoe peeler thing. 

I think the person that can invent a good way to strip vanes off a carbon shaft will be a rich man.

I would encourage any person that wants to make their own arrows to go for it.  Get the cut-off saw, get some dust masks, have good ventilation, fast set gel will really screw you up.  I am too slow to use an AZEZfletch.  I have to use a bitzenberger.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Dave

Just make sure you don't use the "Pampered Chef" brand one like I did. My wife had a cow.

 

I would also second or third the wraps, if blazer vanes are used, they seem to stick better with the wraps, plus cleaning the arrows is a "little" less important. Blazers with whisker biscuit are