Grizz . . .after your post, I decided I needed to clarify. The last dozen bolts I purchased were Gold Tip Laser II's and not Excalibur specific bolts. The six I got in the Right Stuff package were put together well and they were straight. I too killed two deer with those bolts. Both pass thru shots. I recovered both bolts and only had minor damage to the vanes. I'm still shooting those bolts. It's the Gold Tip Laser II's that were put together messy. It's was just a matter of buying them from a poor source.
Anyway, I have decided to start making my own bolts because I like playing around with the set-up, making sure the bolts are correct, and trying out new stuff. Plus, repairing the existing bolts will be easy once I have the tools.
Got Gold Tips...problems?
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sumner4991
- Posts: 6989
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:16 pm
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Grizzly Adam
- Posts: 5701
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:36 pm
- Location: Decatur County, Indiana
My arrow-making experience has largely been the crafting of feather-fletched, cedar-shafted "woodies" for my longbows. The smell of Port Orford shavings is inscence.
I wonder what a wooden crossbow bolt would shoot like?
I've got some seriously heavy maple shaft blanks that might just be the ticket. Much, much heavier than carbon and aluminum ... talk about an arrow with some thump ... I just wonder about spine. They used to make 'em out of wood, and to be shot from heavier bows than 225 lb., too. I think I'd remote fire all blanks first just to be sure!
I wonder what a wooden crossbow bolt would shoot like?
I've got some seriously heavy maple shaft blanks that might just be the ticket. Much, much heavier than carbon and aluminum ... talk about an arrow with some thump ... I just wonder about spine. They used to make 'em out of wood, and to be shot from heavier bows than 225 lb., too. I think I'd remote fire all blanks first just to be sure!
Grizz
Goldtip Laser-2 bolt problems ─ YES!
I bought a dozen Laser-2 bolts in March and the craftsmanship was awful (glue all over the shafts and vanes). When I weighed the bolts I got a +/- 6 grain weight tolerance with the lightest bolt at 260 and the heaviest at 272 grains, respectively. I notified the bow shop where I bought them, Excalibur Crossbow Inc. and finally the Goldtip offices.
The Goldtip offices offered the following:
1. We knew about the weight differences between Laser-2 bolts. We used to make two different weights that we shipped out by mistake. We now only make one weight bolt at 7.2 grains per inch (website and literature states 7.3 grains per inch).
2. We now hand weigh all Laser-2 bolt shafts and guaranty +/- 0.003 inch straightness tolerance (I'm sure a 0.300" spine was meant) and +/- 0.001 grain per dozen (I'm sure a +/- 1 grain weight tolerance was meant).
3. We apologize and will replace your bolts as they are sub-standard.
I was happy with this, contacted Goldtip, thanked it for its consideration and professionalism and offered to return the original dozen bolts.
Last Thursday night I received my new bolts from Goldtip. Man, what a farce. This is what I got:
1. Had to pay $10.71 for taxes and handling fee for my bolts.
2. All 12 bolts were still covered with glue, just as bad as the original dozen.
3. Three bolts had huge gobs of glue on the back insert with thick yellow paper stuck to it. Had to chisel it off with a utility knife.
4. And the weight tolerance, let's just say +/- 17 grains (that's right 17 grains). The lightest bolt came in at 204 and the heaviest at 238 grains, respectively. What about hand weighing the bolts?
One would think that Goldtip would have taken special precautions to ship me a dozen bolts that met their advertised standards. I was nothing but courteous, sincere and respectful with Goldtip and in return this company lied and insulted me. I sent Goldtip a very detailed explanation of its lack of quality bolts and customer service. I also advised them to stop contracting out their arrow making to Mexico and possibly change its logo from 'THE TOUGHEST ARROW YOU'LL EVER SHOOT' to the 'CRAPPIEST ARROW YOU'LL EVER SHOOT'.
I informed Goldtip not to reply to my correspondence as it would just be blowing smoke up my you know what. I notified both the reputable bow shop where I bought these bolts and Excalibur Crossbow Inc. to be careful selling these bolts as it may damage their good reputations.
PS. I can't even make a dozen with two dozen bolts. I'll accept my $130 plus purchase as a costly mistake and lesson, and will stay with my 2219's.
I bought a dozen Laser-2 bolts in March and the craftsmanship was awful (glue all over the shafts and vanes). When I weighed the bolts I got a +/- 6 grain weight tolerance with the lightest bolt at 260 and the heaviest at 272 grains, respectively. I notified the bow shop where I bought them, Excalibur Crossbow Inc. and finally the Goldtip offices.
The Goldtip offices offered the following:
1. We knew about the weight differences between Laser-2 bolts. We used to make two different weights that we shipped out by mistake. We now only make one weight bolt at 7.2 grains per inch (website and literature states 7.3 grains per inch).
2. We now hand weigh all Laser-2 bolt shafts and guaranty +/- 0.003 inch straightness tolerance (I'm sure a 0.300" spine was meant) and +/- 0.001 grain per dozen (I'm sure a +/- 1 grain weight tolerance was meant).
3. We apologize and will replace your bolts as they are sub-standard.
I was happy with this, contacted Goldtip, thanked it for its consideration and professionalism and offered to return the original dozen bolts.
Last Thursday night I received my new bolts from Goldtip. Man, what a farce. This is what I got:
1. Had to pay $10.71 for taxes and handling fee for my bolts.
2. All 12 bolts were still covered with glue, just as bad as the original dozen.
3. Three bolts had huge gobs of glue on the back insert with thick yellow paper stuck to it. Had to chisel it off with a utility knife.
4. And the weight tolerance, let's just say +/- 17 grains (that's right 17 grains). The lightest bolt came in at 204 and the heaviest at 238 grains, respectively. What about hand weighing the bolts?
One would think that Goldtip would have taken special precautions to ship me a dozen bolts that met their advertised standards. I was nothing but courteous, sincere and respectful with Goldtip and in return this company lied and insulted me. I sent Goldtip a very detailed explanation of its lack of quality bolts and customer service. I also advised them to stop contracting out their arrow making to Mexico and possibly change its logo from 'THE TOUGHEST ARROW YOU'LL EVER SHOOT' to the 'CRAPPIEST ARROW YOU'LL EVER SHOOT'.
I informed Goldtip not to reply to my correspondence as it would just be blowing smoke up my you know what. I notified both the reputable bow shop where I bought these bolts and Excalibur Crossbow Inc. to be careful selling these bolts as it may damage their good reputations.
PS. I can't even make a dozen with two dozen bolts. I'll accept my $130 plus purchase as a costly mistake and lesson, and will stay with my 2219's.