Arrow building tools--made a saw

[Kegbelly]

I want to try my hand at building some arrows, for crossbow only. I'd like to build some in 18" and 20" for myself and some 22" for a buddy who shoots a wheeled xbow.
Planning on using 2" Blazers and maybe Lumenoks, probably with Zombies.

The tools I'm leaning toward:
Fletching Jig- Bitzenburger. Do I need RH helical or offset clamp? No super long range shooting in mind, just hunting and practice at +/-50 yds. Do I also need the crossbow nock receiver?

Squaring tool- lumenok FAST squaring tool.

Arrow saw- I have a miter saw, just need an abrasive blade. Also have air-powered cutoff wheel, dremel, so that's covered.

Spine tester- will build my own with a dial gauge.
Any recommendations on a decent gauge? What measurement range would be best?

Scales- already have a good one.

I have a stripping tool (thanks Dan!)

Anything I'm leaving out, or any suggestions on better equipment?

[xcaliber]

Sounds like you got most of it covered. You do need a crossbow receiver. That holds the bolt tightly so it does not turn.

[Boo]

I had 3 Bitz fletching tools and down to 2 that now gather dust. I now use the Bolt which I find much easier to replace one damaged fletch.
You are going to need Acetone and some way of holding finishes arrows while the glue cures (a slab of wood with holes or a couple of large mason jars works well).
Central or Mitutoy are names of dial gauges that I own but I think you'll do well with just about any name. Unit of measure should be in thousands and I think you'll find that there is only one range of measurement commonly offered. Be kind to your dial guage, they get boogered easily.

[91redford]

I was just going through my old archery stuff from the 80's and dug out my JoJan fletching jig and a whole pile of different vanes & feathers, it is fun to build arrows, i would be careful about the cutoff, it should be PERFECT for best results. the jig i use for gluing vanes has options, left, right, or straight clamp, for my old barnett i would use the straight fletch, but some spin will stabilize arrows quickly. now you have another way to spend your time/money rf

[wabi]

I had a Bitz with 3 clamps and used it for years. Finally let the forum convince me I needed to try the Arizona E-Z.
Used it to fletch a dozen arrows and sold the Bitz soon after.
With Blazers the Arizona "Bolt" does a great job.

[8ptbuk]

I'll have to agree with Boo and Wabi on the Bolt Jig , I personally prefer to fletch one vane at a time rather than all 3 on the Bolt , Gives me more consistent results . The Blitz is a great Jig but just not designed to put a lot of helical on short vanes like the blazers . One more thing I might add is Micro glue tips from Jerry at Southshore Archery , Makes for a proffesonial looking job and easy cleanup . Mike

[Kegbelly]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Which "Bolt" jig are we talking about? Googling "bolt crossbow jig" brings back all kinds of jigs, which one are y'all referring to?
The reason I was leaning toward the Bitz was so I could do one vane at a time, hopefully get more consistent results. Never made any arrows so I need to know what works good and what to avoid wasting time and money on.

[8ptbuk]

I have the Arizona Bolt Jig .

[xcaliber]

This is the Offset Pro, it has less offset than the Bolt, and accommodates longer vanes, and feathers. It is for aluminum arrows, but works great with crossbow bolts as well. The 2" Blazers were done with the Bolt, the 2-7/8" Vanes were done on the Offset Pro. These fly real nice with the longer vanes, and fixed blade broadheads.

Have fun John, you'll do great!

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[mbc4]

x2 on the ez bolt, will add one more thing get yourself a tall shot glass, one that the bolt arms fit into, when doing a bunch of arrows u can dip the arms into a solution of acetone(nail polish remover) wipe clean ez as eating a fatty.

[Kegbelly]

Thanks again guys, your suggestions are very much appreciated! Gonna give the Arizona Bolt a try. At the risk of embarrassing myself, Dan had generously sent me one already, I just haven't had time to experiment with it and quite frankly didnt know how to use it correctly Time to learn

[xcaliber]

That was our secret!

[8ptbuk]

You two are sneaky !!! LOL

[Kegbelly]

You two are sneaky !!! LOL

Not at all Honest truth when he sent it to me I didn't have time to get into it and it got put on a shelf and I kind of forgot about it.

[Deaf jeff]

Thanks again guys, your suggestions are very much appreciated! Gonna give the Arizona Bolt a try. At the risk of embarrassing myself, Dan had generously sent me one already, I just haven't had time to experiment with it and quite frankly didnt know how to use it correctly Time to learn

kb,
I just started building my arrows this past spring with the Arizona ez fletch bolt. if you have questions like I did just post the question (as I did quite a few times) and these members help you with tips/tricks. all of the help that I have received has made it fairly easy for me to learn and for me to learn anything "fairly easily" is almost unheard of when you let the arms of the ez fletch down, let them down SLOWLY
words of warning....prepare to get addicted