I've just made my first dozen trad arrows!

[blu-dog]

After my recent brief stay in hospital, my Mrs has decreed that some quiet time at home was on the cards - after the first few days, boredom was driving me insane!!!! So I arranged a quick trip (2.5hrs each way) to see Mark at TRADBITS (http://www.tradbits.com.au) to pick up all of the gear that I'd need to have a go at making my first set of Trad Arows. Mark was brilliant and had everything that I needed and provided plenty of helpful hints and advice!

I used 11/32 sitka spruce shafts with white cock feather and 2 purple to offset. 125g tip and white nock. The shaft was stained walnut and given 2 coats of satin finish clear varnish. The end was then tipped with white enamel paint and the business end given another 6 coats of the satin varnish. The Big Dipper - dipping tube was brilliant and saved so much time and gave a great finish to the arrows.

...was a great way to spend some quiet time at home...I really enjoyed the process!


Pics to follow of my process...

Cheers,
Paul

[blu-dog]

...my apologies...pics have come through in reverse order!

[GrahameA]

Look Great.

Only one mistake - A dozen arrows is not enough what are you going to do for the rest of the week???

[blu-dog]

...having a go at making a leather back quiver - starting tomorrow!

[Hellspawn]

Nice work, mate!
I don't agree with the chosen colours, but that's just because I like dark colours for my gear. They look very well done; congratulations!

[longbowinfected]

mate if that is your first go...............cannot wait to see the next set.
Those bright feathers and white capping help when you have to look in the scrub on the odd occasion it happens.....these arrows would stand out nicely on a FITA target too. Nice start. My first were never as good as that......


Kevin

[hardgainer]

Real nice result Paul I really like the wood finish. Good advice from Mark you wont go past good Sitka Spruce for value. Streets ahead of the quality of Port Orford thats currently available ex US. Nice for a first.
Tony S.

[pdccr]

Mate they are some of the best first batch of arrows i've seen.

[jape]

Good work Paul, hope you are recovering quickly. If you ignore the bare-tuning part of the shenanigans, arrow making is very relaxing and rewarding. Something special about a bit of wood you stuck the feathers and bits on flying well and looking good.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Top job!

[blu-dog]

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen!

Keen to make another set now!!! I really enjoyed spending some time out in the shed!!!

[longbowinfected]

I liked your arrows so much that I had a few more looks....I did notice something that might be worth considering........
I got the impression that you might have used fletching tape with almost straight fletches. As a cautionary note I have found as well as some others, that the feathers tend to lift off unless there is at least a slight hellical twist. I tie mine on after using the tape and have no trouble at all......even with straight fletching that is slightly off set.
Mick Smith started a long and interesting discussion on this that is on here somewhere and it is certainly worth consideration.

Kevin

[blu-dog]

Thanks for the suggestion Kevin...I'm now looking into getting a helical jig for my next set... What do you tie them on with?

[stringnstik]

Great thanks bludog, My Shannen loves that colour combo, now she wants some

[Mububban]

They look lovely mate, have you had a chance to let them fly? How do the sitka spruce shafts go? What poundage bow will they be used with?

I was extremely disappointed with some vic ash shafts I bought previously and am looking for alternatives to that and port orford cedar. Someone recommended scots pine?

[Gringa Bows]

arrows look good Paul.................Rod

[Brett Finger]

great job mate,

glad you have stuck with it and came to the dark side...

why the hell you not ring me and let me know you been crook,i had the abnormaly large one over the other day fiting security screens and he didnt mention anything . ( i could have thrown stones on ya roof at night... hehehe )

i got a new phone yesterday and recieved yours ( and half of australias messages )

will tex / ring you today for goss,

thers some good Pigs geting around at the moment, so will have to see how ya go when back on deck

Brae and i will be out next sunday week for a shoot,( off to the bay for a 3 day Hot-Rod show this weekend ) finally got the Mk2 Zepher out the way and sold ( new project in shed )

the weathers coling off again, so its back into hunting full time.. hehehe

once again, good job on the arras ...

Kind Refgards, Brett