What do I need to build arrows??

[awshucks]

I get Gt's from Wyver Creations cheaper per doz than anywhere else and he glues the inserts and nocks in for free. Danny only sells finished arrows, so skip him. I have a G-5 squaring tool, but can't see any diff w/ or w/o it, Boo is big on them.

I got an AZ-EZ rt hand helical on the advice of Danny. Works great, but remember not the one for carbons, it's gfor those skinny vert arrows, you want alum model even though you will probably do our size carbons.

I use Goat Tuff glue w/ good results on paint crested arrows, white laquer spray w/ over spray of some bright color like orange or lime green just about 6-7" from nocks. If you don't put nocks in until after you crest, you can paint them a shiny black, looks real classy. Got a link if you need it somewhere.

That crest paint comes off in seconds w/ acetone soaked rag, which will also take that shitty GT logo off middle of shafts.

I got my best ever benched group w/ 'new' GT's brass insewrts, 2" Blazers, 5 shots at 50, 1-1.5"

Bein how were old buds, I ain't fixin the typos, lol.

[fuzzy]

...

[Horizontal Hunter]

John,

I make them similar to Dan. I use the G5 ASD to square the ends of the shafts before I install the inserts and fletching. I have found that since I started using the ASD I never have to play around with getting broadheads to spin true.

Before fletching I use acetone on a paper towel to clean the end of the shaft until squeaky clean. Acetone will ruin carbon arrows if they are soaked in them. I clean the inside of the arrow with an old 30 cal bore brush just to rough them up for good insert adhesion and blow out any dust.

I put the inserts in before fletching. On the Arizona EZ fletch I found that if the insert is not in the back of the arrow it doesn't sit properly in the jig. Some on here use a nock adapter that screws into the insert but I don't use one. I have had a couple of inserts come lose with the Loctite super glue gel so on my next batch I am going to use a rubberized super glue that is supposed to withstand shock better.

I then use lacquer spray paint to spray on a crest. Bhoning Fletch Tite Platinum will react with the lacquer paint so if you are going to crest your arrows don't use it for the fletchings.

I use the Arizona EZ Fletch in a 4 degree right offset with Bhoning Blazers. For glue I use the blue Loctite super glue gel. After an arrow comes out of the fletching jig I use a Qtip (1 per vane) to clean up any excess glue.

I tested the Loctite by fletching an arrow, letting it dry for 24 hours, and submerging the arrow in water for a week. After I pulled the arrow out of the water I tried to pull the fletchings off with a pair of pliers and all I did was tear square chunks out of the fletchings.

A scale comes in handy to check the weight of components and finished arrows. I have a dozen arrows that I made exactly 424 grains +/- .5g. It was and interesting experiment but not necessary.

For me I have found that a fletching stripper is unnecessary and a pocket knife or razor knife works better for me.

Here are the resources I used to help me get started:

Arrow building part 1:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ding.shtml

Arrow building part 2:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ing2.shtml

Arrow building part 3:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ing3.shtml

A link to Gary L's series on the Arizona EZ Fletch, don't forget the oreos:
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... hp?t=16628

A link on how to crest an arrow with Lacquer spray paint:
http://www.texastrackers.com/Videos/Arrows.wmv


And a link for an F.O.C calculator:

http://home.att.net/~sajackson/archery9.html

I am sure that other members have more to add.

Bob

[Boo]

Bein how were old buds, I ain't fixin the typos, lol.

[Horizontal Hunter]

Planter, decide which fletching you want to use, buy a fletching jig and some fletching cement. The rest will come to you as you go along.

Don't expect your first few to be perfect. That's the beauty of owning your own fletching equipment...you can do it over and over again until you're happy with it.

It's much easier than you think.

Very true. It just takes some practice to get the feel of it. When I started I bought 100 Duravanes and took a junk arrow and kept refletching both ends until I got the feel of it. I am happy to show you how I do it just let me know and we can get together. It really is easier than you think.

Bob

[dlzinck]

Best tip I ever got... Put string wax on your fletching jig so you dont glue your fletch to the jig and not the arrow...

[sumner4991]

Just watch your mailbox.