Ozbow

Hi Guys,

Here are some arrows I have just knocked up. They are a great budget option or great it if you want to go a little primitive.
I got 2 packs of 3ft bamboo tomato stakes from bunnings. I had a quick sort thru and found a couple of packs with bamboo that looked fairly uniform in diameter . There is 20 in a pack for $5 to $6, I managed to get about 15 usable arrow shafts out of each pack and groups of 4-5 arrows with a similar spine.
To make them I followed the post here on PA, http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/inde ... 697.0.html
It is very easy, and i was surprised at how well these arrows fly and they are quite hard hitting. I would not hesitate to hunt with these arrows and will use these at the club. I love the look of these arrows.


I followed the directions pretty much, but these are some differences I did with my arrows:-

I drilled out the ends of my arrows and reinforced with pieces of 4mm bamboo knitting needles.(cut out the knocks before you do this.)
I then tapered the ends as per normal and glued on Modkin points.
Try to get the shafts as straight as possible before you sand the nodes down, if you heat them up again afterwards they can have the tendency to break.
When you straighten the nodes, heat them up and roll them on your bench top under a block of wood. You will be surprised how well they straighten up.
Mick.

Good work mate! You'll be surprised how long they last too, most bamboos make very tough arrows - although shaving off the nodes does weaken them. I like your idea of knitting-needles at the nock end, I just poked araldite-coated, wooden kebab skewers into mine. Some of my forward ends splintered as I tapered them so I had mixed the araldite to coat there when attaching points and heads. Nothing splintered or broke further in years of use, even when stumping.

Have to agree with the bamboo. I went the dearer route and got 50 in from China at around a dollar something each.Using them in my Osage snake bow I never wprried about straightening them too much as crooked bow , crooked arrows! They are really tough as you mention and fly well.

Nice work Mick. I went Bobs route and bought a hundred from China. Probably only got 5 dozen that were within the advertised spine range though, and the weight range was within about 100 grains . They are tough alright.

Cheers.... Rod

I like this and will give it a go. Thanks for sharing.

Your local Bunnings must be more upmarket than mine. I had a look in the nursery/landscaping section and they had packets of stakes either 60cm (too short) or 90/120cm. The sizes varied wildly and I think price was around $9. Might have to try another store. Hopefully petrol in finding them will cost less than the bamboo!

just keep looking Indie. They may have been on special there was a big bin full of them. They may have been the 1200mm ones. I had to cut them down. sort thru them and find the ones that are nice and uniform.

Hi guys what are they like weight in grains say compared to POC?
My 11/32 31" POC's with 125point and 3 x5" feathers come in at 550grains.
Cheers

I haven't got my reloading scales at the moment. when i get them back I shall let you know. They are lighter than my POC arrows.
They are slightly tapered too, I think this helps also.

indie wrote:Your local Bunnings must be more upmarket than mine. I had a look in the nursery/landscaping section and they had packets of stakes either 60cm (too short) or 90/120cm. The sizes varied wildly and I think price was around $9. Might have to try another store. Hopefully petrol in finding them will cost less than the bamboo!

I bought more today Indie, get the 1200mm ones $7!!!!!. I can use all but one!!!!

Geez Mick, I may be better off to get you to get me some and then pay for postage! I'll get back there soon and see what I can find.