Ozbow

Hi all,

It has been a long time since I’ve been here (and since lost access to my old email address and needed to re-register.

My login (created by my wife) is inspired by teaching my kids to shoot.

Anyway, I’m getting a little more serious about accuracy and I want to make some shafts from scratch. I’ve made a router jig to turn them beautifully, but I tested some Tas Oak 5/16ths last night and they were 71 lbs spine. Ouch.

How do you pick a board for making shafts?

Can you weaken a shaft (other than sanding it down too far to fit the hardware (points).

Cheers
Cam

Hi QIMB,

Perhaps you could try to source some of the following timber. You may have to check out wooden boat builders and I believe picture frame manufacturers also use straight grained knot free Huon pine.

Daryl.

https://www.wood-database.com/huon-pine/

https://www.wood-database.com/douglas-fir/

Thanks Greybeard. I have some celery top pine which is meant to be good. (I haven’t tried it yet). I have a bit of Huon pine too (useful living in Tassie). But I don’t know if a heavier board typically makes a stiffer arrow or not. Is there any way to choose which board (as opposed to which species). Maybe it is just trial and error?

G'day Cam,

I have always made my own shafts from Oregon Pine. You can usually pick up used boards from old buildings etc. In relation to what boards make what spine it is hit and miss. Usually a heavier board with nice tight grain will make higher spined shafts BUT not always. The diameter you choose to make them also makes a big difference. Testing some boards is really all you can do. All the best with them and let us know how you go.

Jeff

Bugger. I was hoping you weren’t going to say that! The jig I made is designed for 5/16. If I find that the celery top is too weak, I’ll need to find a new wood or make a new jig.

I was hoping for the toughness of “ash” - I’ve used Bunnings dowels before with ok success, but looking to do better. For starters, I’m trying to shoot straight rather than around corners like some of the dowels you find!

Thanks for the response. Looks like I have more experimenting to do.

Cheers
Cam

Hi Cam,

Are you making arrows for particular style of bow at a given draw weight and draw length or just experimenting?

If you are not familiar with the AMO details for arrows check pages six and seven in the attached PDF.
* *
The information is most likely based on Port Orford cedar.

Daryl.

Yeah. I have made a deflex reflex longbow from carbon and fibreglass (all from raw materials, not pre-made lams). It is around 50 pounds at 28”.

My draw length is more like 27”.

That is why the 70 pound rating for the first 5/16 Tas oak shafts was way beyond what I could use.

However, I have found hardwood dowels at 50 pounds before, so I was wondering how to pick the board. I suspect that weight might be the go.