Wood arrows

[TomBow]

In the journey that I am on, transitioning through the ins and outs of traditional archery I come to the point where I am intrigued by the wonders of wood arrows.  Due to a trade a few years ago, I received some old wooden arrows along with a few bows and an old leather quiver.  The quiver is in process of  being refurbished and is sucking up snow-seal like crazy.  It may just end up falling into a pile of well-waxed dust.  But I digress.

I've shot these arrows some and they seem to be relatively consistent, but I need to investigate getting something a bit more suitable for my bow.  Can someone steer me in the right direction? I know that I need to seek out consistent spine and grain in order to yield consistent flight and arrow reaction upon release.  Would I be better off just purchasing pre-made arrows (I am leaning that way).

As far as spine goes, what calculations are necessary to get close to what I need?

Bow spec:  R/D longbow (Toelke Whip), rated 53 @28, 62" bow length and my draw is right around 28".  I have been shooting Beman MFX 500's at 29.25" with 75 grain inserts and 125 gr. points.  I like heavy FOC and these are right around 17% and weigh 505 grains total.

As always, any information would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Tom B.

[mobow]

Tom,

You want to come over to GR again?  I'll bet I have some arrows for you to try and maybe even some shafts and the rest of the makings for you to take home if you are interested.

Arne

[TomBow]

Yup!  Would love to!  Probably would be travelling solo, not bringing Matt again.  His bow suffered a tip delam., a piece of antler delaminated from the rest of the tip and I haven't heard yet if he has arranged repair.  It sure wouldn't hurt to go over there and do some shooting, get some pointers from your vast store of knowledge and physically shooting some arrows would be much more informational to me than theorizing.  Possibly Thursday of next week would be best for me.  I am currently working nights, this week on Wed.Thurs., Mem. Day weekend we are out of town, then back to work Mon.Tues. until 7AM Wed. morning, must sleep half the day away Wednesday but would be bright eyed and bushy tailed for Thursday if that would work for you?

Do you have experience building wood arrows?  I have been fletching for years on Carbons and Aluminum, Wood arrow building seems to be next on the plate. 

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it very much!
TomBow
TomBrissee

[mobow]

Tom,

I've build my own wood arrows for 50 years

Thursday (May 31) would be fine.  If the weather is good then, we could work at my house and shoot in the backyard.  All my arrow stuff is here and it would make it easier to experiment and shoot.  Let me know as we get closer and I'll give you directions tot he house -- It's not hard.

Arne

[mobow]

One more 

[Tod_Becker]

Wow Arne, too nice to shoot!

[mobow]

Thanks Tod glad you like them.  I'd counter that they are too nice to just hang on the wall, they need to be shot. These come from being retired and when the snow is flying it shortens the winter days.

By the way, does anyone think this might be of interest at the BBW?  Just a thought.

Arne

[Buck Fever]

Yes I do. I could use a wealth of knowledge!

[Holm-Made]

Definately great idea for the BBW.  I love that first set. Grand Rapids School colors.  I used to wear the orange and black back when we were still Indians.

[Bucksnort101]

Those are some pretty arrows. I'd shoot them too;)    I second the idea for a BBW activity.  I've spliced feathers for a few set of arrow, but my consistancy at getting them to mesh needs work.

[TomBow]

Arne,
WOW! Those are art but as you say they are MEANT to be shot.  If they get damaged while enjoying their beauty and flight, so be it, time to make new ones!  And the satisfaction of putting them all together yourself is, I'm sure, quite gratifying.

I'm a go for next Thursday.  Still checking on Matt. 

Thanks
Tom

[Buck Fever]

So I've been meaning to ask. When and where is this years BBW gonna be???

[TomBow]

Here's the finished results of my first attempts at wood arrows. 
Details:
POC shafts
30.25" throat of nock to back of point
4 with 125gr. field tips and 3 with 125gr. blunts
4 3-fletched and 3 4-fletched with 5" feathers
8" white caps were produced using the old spray-paint/masking tape technique(hence the couple that may appear to have gap-caps where the spray reached beyond the masking
finished arrow weight 545 gr. for 3-fletch, 552 gr. for 4-fletch
fps:  175

flight: beautiful, straight and true, also very quiet

Discovered during my learning session with mobow, that my Beman MFX 500's at 29" yield more like a 400 spine (stiffer) when tested on a spine tester.  When I had bareshafted the 500's they do show stiff for my bow and the new woodies appear to be correct spine.  Probably the reason for the quieter and straighter shooting results.