Arrow building and shaft?

[Dave49749]

I am going to take the plunge and buy a Jig some shafts and start making my own arrows. I have some questions first:

I plan on buying a single fletch tool, Bitzenburger seems to be the standard but is that extra expense really necessary for a hunting arrow and repair? I don’t plan on making arrows for 3D, hunting and other uses simply a few hunting arrows. Again I did not plan on making my own arrows either.

I like shield cut feathers, do they simply look cool of do they have some sort of function different form regular cut feathers? I would like to use these exclusively because I simply like the look; I have no idea if they have a specific function.

Of course I want to use some sort of decorative wrap, is there anything one need to know about them?

The arrow shafts:

I want a heavier arrow and so far the Beman Black Max 4 ,9.6 gpi (+/- .003". Weight tolerance: + 2 grains per dozen. Per 12.)
Or the Beman MFX MAX same tolerances but weigh 10.4 gpi

I have no knowledge about Beman are they worth the money, are they good shafts? I want 8 lbs per pound and right now I am at 55 moving to 60 lbs so I want a 480 grain arrow. Any help here is appreciated.

Well maybe is should state I don't plan on taking any shots beyond 20-25 yards, under 20 is probably more accurate. At that distance do I really need to worry about straightness and weight factors? Cabelas has a heavy shaft the Outfitter series at a Straightness factor of +.006", at 12.8gpi. More that heavy enough and they are $55 a dozen for bare shafts versus the Beman at like $90 for the shafts.

Thanks

Dave

[brdhntr]

I use the Carbon Express Terminators that are +/- .006" and have no problem with accuracy. On Saturday, I had 4 arrows touching at 30 yds. If you want a bit heavier, the Terminator Hunter with Buff Tuff coating adds weight, not sure the exact weight, but the Terminator Black has served me well for 3 yrs.

[john warren]

ok, feather shape has little effect, shield cuts look awsome , make them your signature if you like them. as far as wraps i know nothing about them , i always crest my shafts with laquer, but carbon may not allow that, i simply don't know having never used the stuff.
as far as a jig bitz is best , but costly initialy. the flip side is i'm still using the 12 bitz jigs i bought in 1964.so cost per year, is,,, um,,,, oh heck i probably owe them more money by now. anyway ive used a friends that was very simular and its platic, i think it cost him about 25 dollars, seems to work as good as anything. so shop around, if your just doing it as a hobby they will work fine. the fun part of this is experimenting with your own designs, try making flu flu arrows. i fletch mine normaly, then wrap a whole uncut feather spiraly around the shaft just in front of the fletching, i have to tie the ends down with thread till the glue sets. makes a ball about 2 inches long. when i shoot at squirrels the arrow slows quickly after 10 or 15 yards and doesn't travel so far i lose it. have fun!

[Tim Baker]

is that extra expense really necessary for a hunting arrow and repair

My hunting arrows are my best and most important arrows that I own. I would think you want your hunting arrows to match your practice arrows exactly. You owe it to the animals you hunt to insure a quick clean kill.

I've had a Bitzenburger for 15 years and I've never had a problem. If you only plan to shoot out to 20 yards go with the heavy arrow as long as the spine is correct for your setup. I like a heavy arrow but if doesn't fly very well it won't help with penetration.

Tim

[unregistered5a]

The Bitzenburger is probably the best fletching jig- there are others that will do a good job- Martin & BPE make good jigs
I did my own dipping & cresting-takes time but you can make your arrows the way you like. I have used these new arrow wraps and they're great too- easy to use & a lot faster. You can get those thru different Catalogs along with fletching supplies- remember to use the fletch cement compatible with any laquers if you dip your shafts. Bohning makes a complete line of fletching supplies check them out. 3Rivers Archery has a good selection of arrow building supplies.
www.3riversarchery.com

[uptracker]

Bitz is #1...and Gold Tips will be voted best 36 to 1. They are just stronger and more durable. Arrow wraps are a pain when you need to refletch.

[TnRidge]

Bitzenburger makes the best jig . I have used mine for over 20 years . Easton Axis and Beman Black Max are both made by Easton and are quality hunting arrows with the HIT system .

[unregistered5a]

Wraps being a pain to re-fletch is something I'll keep in mind- I have not had to do it with the ones I've done so far.
See you can always pick up some good info.

[uptracker]

Just FYI EDW, it's not just that they are a pain to remove, it's that you have to replace them pretty much everytime you refletch costing another $12-$25 per dozen . To take them off, just soak in hot water a while or use a blow drier, then cleam with alcohol. Takes about 20 minutes per arrow.

[Dave49749]

Thank you all! :)
I am leaning the Jo-Jan or Grayling tool. I know the Blitz is great but I don’t think I need all that, I just want to build and maintain arrows.
Besides the money saved will buy more fletching options because I shot with a release I can use vanes, and not feathers I think I want to experiment http://www.oneidaeaglebows.com/new/stirthepot.gifwith the various flecthing options.
I am going to forget the wraps for now, they are costly and it will only serve to complicate things right now,I think dipping might be in my future.

I look around for the arrows yet, as I don’t want to start a heated discussion with my personal leanings.

Thaks
Dave

[unregistered5a]

Uptracker
Thanks if I have to do I will remember your advice. Offhand anyone know of any books or videos on the subject? I have a book on instinctive shooting that has a chapter on building arrows included is a section on dipping & cresting. Something for reference could help Dave out.

the Book Title: "Instinctive Shooting " By G. Fred Asbell

[TnRidge]

Here is a good link for fletching arrows . Make sure you scroll to the bottom of the page for the complete fletching guide .http://www.bohning.com/archery/t-fletching.html