Trad style carbon arrow build along

[Bowfly]

HI all
I have decided to have a go at posting up a build along as I put together some Carbon arrows whilst trying to make them look a little bit fancy "trad style" I have a heap of pictures of the whole process as I go along and I am trying to keep the photo's small but also at a size that you all can still see whats going on, but be warned there are a heap of photos.
Im using Carbon Express Heritage Shafts that I shoot from my 67# recurve

Firstly I cut down my bare shafts to a length that I know shoot well out of my bow, in this case its 30" so 2" comes of the end of a 32" bare shaft, remember to only cut the end that your broadhead insert will go into not the nock end
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0571Small.jpg
I use half a fine tooth hacksaw blade because its all I have got to do the job.A small power cut off saw would be preferred. Then I clean the cut end with a piece of fine sandpaper using it flat on the table like so
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0588Small.jpg
For these arrows I have had some trad style vinyl wraps made by my local signwriter, It comes on a full sheet and I will cut each wrap to size using a sharp knife and a metal ruler, the ruler is the exact width I need to use as a stencil for the cutting
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0515Small.jpg
After cutting the wraps its a matter of peeling off the backing and then lining it up perfectly with the shaft ready to roll on
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0484Small.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0500Small.jpg
Then roll the shaft onto the vinyl being carefull not to get it crooked
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0506Small.jpg
Hey presto the easy way to crest your arrow
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0492Small.jpg
After wrapping all of the arrows that Im making up (in this case six) I mix up a small amount of 24hr epoxy and glue the inserts into the end of the shafts. For these arrows Im using 50gn brass inserts. After pushing them into place make sure you clean of ant excess glue from out side the fitting. A tip to remember ;You dont need too much glue when putting inserts in, too much glue can flow into the thread making it imposible to srew in a broadhead addaptor
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0510Small.jpg
The I put in the nocks, for these shafts I like to use Bohning signature series or Easton super nocks
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0513Small.jpg
Now its time to put the feathers on .. or vanes if you like. In this case its 5" shield cut feathers plain white colour. I use a Blitzenburger dial-o-fletch fletchmaster and have done for a few years now. I cant fault it one bit and it has never let me down, well worth the money
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0517Small.jpg
I will be fitting three feathers on these arrows so I set the jig to the 120 degree position. Place your arrow into the jig and then put the feather into the clamp
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0533Small.jpg
Continued

[Bowfly]

I cut the post there so I didnt get timed out
Now to stick the feathers on I use double sided tape and find it to be very reliabe and only had it seperate if I have not handled it corectly when applying the tape to the featers, so be cautious not to touch the sticky bits with your oily fingers. I roll the tape down the feather with the clamp placed upside down on the tabe as shown in the previous photo.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0519Small.jpg
then cut the tape from the roll when you have covered the whole edge of the feather
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0522Small.jpg
I like to run my finger along the length of the tape with pressure to make sure there is a good solid bond
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0524Small.jpg
Then peel off the backing being crefull again not to touch the newly exposed adhesive side of the tape
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0536Small.jpg
Now its time to place the clamp onto the magnets in the jig and push home against the arrow
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0527Small.jpg
Release the clamp and take away from the feather being carefull not to pull the feather back off the arrow
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0529Small.jpg
I then run my finger allong the whole length of the feather wth pressure so it makes the contact secure and final
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0531Small.jpg
Then rotate the jig and repeat the process for the other two feathers
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0540Small.jpg
Not long now and we have half a dozen arrows with feathers stuck on.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0555Small.jpg
Just as a final peace of mind I like to put a dob of Fletchtite on each end of the feathers, you only need a small amount to stop the end lifting after a bit of repeated use
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0560Small.jpg
Now I will let the epoxy and fletchtite go off over night and continue the the fitting of broadheads tomorrow
Cheers
Rod

[RazorX]

They look nice mate. Well done. I've never seen double sided tape used before!

The carbons fly well hey ;)

[Clinglish]

love your work

[Grunter]

Top post :) Lots of effort gonr itnto that post mate. Really well done. The shafts look a treat as well.

[Bowfly]

OK now Im going to set up the buisness end of things
This is the hardware that im using, 50gn brass inserts-long alluminium addaptors and the mighty Blackstump 130gn broadheads. As you would have noticed last post I have already glued in the inserts
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0564SmallSmall.jpg
And the glue has set overnight ; I use the 24hr epoxy because of the extreme heat that can be encountered where I hunt but you could use any of the other popular arrow making glue's available
Firstly I screw the broadhead addaptor into the end of the arrow with a pair of pliers to make sure it is tight.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0565Small.jpg
Then using accetone I clean the inside of the ferrule on the broadhed to remove any residual oils from the factory using a cotton tip. Then I use 24hr epoxy again, I mix a little and coat the outside of the addaptor and press the broadhead tightly onto it
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0567Small.jpg
Make sure to wipe the excess glue from the base of the broadhead, you may need to check on this again in a few hours as the glue has a tendancy to keep oozing out over a bit of time, this is not a problem and can be easily wiped of even after a few hours.
I then place the arrow into my spinner to make sure the broadhead is spinning true to the shaft and positioned flat matching the nock so it will lay horizontal when on the string, this helps with arrow flight when shooting out of my recurve
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0569Small.jpg
I made this arrow spinner out of some sheet tin and skateboard wheel bearings and it does the job perfect
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0570Small.jpg
After each broadhead has been fitted I then place all the arrows aside to let the glue go off and then they are done.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0574Small.jpg
Once set I give them a sharpen using a Bog file then touch them up on the steel till shaving sharp and your ready to slip them into some critters!
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0577Small.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0584Small.jpg
I hope you all enjoyed this build along and if you have never built your own arrows give it a go its not realy that hard. The best thing is you get the pleasure of making your own gear.
Cheers
Rod

[Wareagle]

Good one, and nice pic's. Those really are a pair of workers hands. :D

[Bowfly]

A few practice shots out the back yard
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e332/flyrod_9/IMG_0594Small.jpg
And Im good to go

[brucester]

That was a cool read, thanks:cool:

[will]

thanks for posting Rod! very interesting

[Jezza]

Very informative great looking arrows mate.
If you Don't mind me askin wat type of recure have u got?? im looking into buying one and not quite sure wat to get yet from wat i could see looked like a very nice bow

Cheers Jezza

[GOLDGT]

Nice arrows Rod and good pics. I enjoy making my own arrows nearly as much as shooting them. I have not used wraps yet but will on my next half doz shafts just to make them stand out at dawn and dusk when i tend to shoot them most. CheersHamish

[Bowfly]

Thanks guys Im glad you enjoyed it. Jezza my bow is a Robertson Stykbow Vision Falcon. It is a nice bow and is sweet to shoot.
Cheers
Rod

[Ozchuck]

wow those shafts are beautiful!

[cooke]

good posting Rod. i have 2 doz herritage shafts and all the stuff u need to make em coming from the states in the next few days. was wondering wat the easiest way is to apply the wraps. top post very informative, good to see how another bloke does it. cheers cooke

[Jeffro]

good post Rod i was wondering what the string was for.I just made up a batch of GT 55\75's and went through the spining process.Now I know what length to cut them in future

[Bowfly]

Gday Feffro, mate I fitted the string last night, tweeked her up a bit this morning and she's a beuty thanks mate.
Gday Cooke
Mate the best way I found is to peel the backing off the wrap and lay it on the table sticky side up, then line your shaft parrallel along side the wrap and then roll it over the top of the wrap.
Easy stuff mate.
Cheers
Rod