Arrow Building

[tdcour]

Who builds their own arrows and to what degree do you build them?

I haven't been bowhunting that long, but I would like to start building and putting together all of my arrows rather than buying two packs of six that are already done for me or paying someone to do them (hopefully) the way I want them done. I have been custom reloading rounds for all of my rifles for several years now and would like to do the same sort of thing with my bow. Is there any cost savings to doing it yourself? Does it help with accuracy that much? What are the positives of doing it yourself? How picky are you with weight of an arrow (both the weight tolerance of the arrow itself and when all of the components are added... +\- 5 grains or something like that)?

Last, does anyone have any updates on how the "deep 6" style arrows and components are holding up out there? I believe in the idea, but I'm not sure if I'm completely convinced of them being sturdy enough. I have heard stories of the tips breaking off if shot at an angle.

 

[nvarcher]

I've been building my own arrows for a couple years. I am very picky about my arrows and don't trust any one else to build them. When I do them I know they are done right and up to my own standards. You don't really save to much money but you can definitely do it 10x better than the guys at big box stores who just cut them quickly and throw the inserts in. If you have any questions about it feel free to pm me.


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[CrimsonArrow]

I think it's more a matter of pride in doing something for yourself. The only thing I do is fletching. The reason being is that you would have to build many, many dozens of arrows to offset the cost of equipment and supplies. And after all that, the differences in quality would be minimal.

 

[nvarcher]

The difference in quality is huge. You will get much better broadhead flight out of an arrow that has been squared while the spine is marked and fletched accordingly. Not to mention most all factory fletching is straight which is not conducive to broadhead flight either. You can offset or put helical on self fletched vanes...


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[packer58]

The difference in quality is huge. You will get much better broadhead flight out of an arrow that has been squared while the spine is marked and fletched accordingly. Not to mention most all factory fletching is straight which is not conducive to broadhead flight either. You can offset or put helical on self fletched vanes...


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Also IMO, building your own arrows is all part of the bow hunting experience.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

There's no doubt that with the right tools a guy can make a better arrow than you can buy. I just bought 2 dozen beman hunters from a guy on ebay for about 65/dozen. Pretty sure they're just cut and glued, but they look good and have 6 degree helical vanes in my choice of color. About the only thing left is squaring and spining, but the average archer probably wouldn't notice the difference at the range. I let somebody else make my rangefinders, boots, and bows, I guess they can make my arrows, too.

 

[JNDEER]

I have found many don't know how to build arrow correct. Maybe a good shop, but the box stores are garbage (my experiences).

I highly recommend building them yourself if you see yourself shooting archery for a while.

 

[nvarcher]

Just start buying the equipment over time. You will be glad you did.


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[Grundy53]

I want to start building my own also.

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[BobT]

I do all of mine as well, on my traditional arrows I make the feathers too, from the turkeys my friends and I kill. The compound arrows I use Blazer vanes normally, though sometimes they get feathers too. I have a fair amount of money invested in equipment but I bought used stuff when I could and didn't buy everything at once. All you really need for carbon or aluminum arrows are a fletching jig and some way to cut the shafts.

Bob

 

[tdcour]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I think I will be getting a fletching jig and start fletching my own arrows with my own equipment (I have been borrowing a buddies jig). I think I'll still have someone cut the arrows for me until I get an arrow saw. Couple of questions again...

What type of fletchings does everyone use? I see one for blazers or feathers. I'm looking at either Blazers or fusion vanes (shorter style). I have shot blazers in the past with no issues, just wondering if there are any noticeable differences with blazers vs fusions.

Second, what does everyone use to square their arrows after being cut?

Last, right now I shoot 28.5" arrows with a 28.5 inch draw. The insert of my arrow goes to the end of my shelf with my broadhead sticking out past the shelf of the bow. I have been trying to decide if I should go to a shorter arrow and start cutting my arrows to 27.5 and add a 125 grain broadhead instead of a 100 grain broadhead. Thoughts?

 

[target tony]

i am using blazer vanes and i have the Bohning Helix jig that puts a true helix in the vanes. i have found it very easy to use and inexpensive. the difference it makes for my arrow flight was a lot better than just a regular 3 degree offset that my graying jig allowed.

i noticed my Goldtip 5575s with slick trick 100s had better accuracy down range with the Helix on my arrows. my groups at 50 and 60 yards were much improved with broadheads.

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[carmelasmith]

I was wondering what is the purpose of the "cock" vane, i.e. to indicate the spine? - And also what is its correlation to the nock? - And correlation to the bow rest, e.g. for flight? Just getting some info as a beginner. Thanks

 

[tdcour]

I actually shoot all the same color fletchings on my arrows. Typically, the one off color fletching, in my opinion, is just to help you quickly orient your arrow the direction it should sit in your rest. For me, I shoot with my fletching pointing up (if I had an off color, this one would point up). As far as your nock goes, it goes on and you twist it where your fletching sits in the rest like you want it. I want my top fletching to run parallel with my bow string. My buddy shoots with his down and another guy I know shoots his to the side so I'm not sure if it is personal preference or what, but I know some arrows fly better out of certain rests with a certain orientation. Just do some experimenting and see how the arrow flies for you and your setup. Just make sure the arrow fletchings aren't hitting any part of your rest if you shoot a drop away and make sure you orient your arrow the same every time and you should be good to go.

 

[MileHigh]

Started building my own last year. After a few dozen...I think I finally got it right. Early on I had all kinds of trouble and funny arrow flight, but with some advice from the local shop and trying a number of setups I got it dialed in. Best of luck.