Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: hedgeapple on February 07, 2009, 02:54:08 AM

Title: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: hedgeapple on February 07, 2009, 02:54:08 AM

Would Eastern cedar make a good arrow?

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: Pat B on February 07, 2009, 10:37:04 AM

I haven't made arrows out of ERC but I believe that it would make good arrows... but maybe light in weight. Use the clearest, straightest wood you can find.

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: hedgeapple on February 07, 2009, 11:52:55 AM

Thanks PatB.  I friend has a saw mill.  He cut large forest growth ERC to build his cabin.  He gave me a couple of leftover cedar board. I was able to cut four 1/2 x1/2 staft blanks for one of them.  The grain is pretty straight and they're clear of knots.  I've plained one of them so far.  I'm planning of straightening it tomorrow.  Should I heat treat it to harden it?

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: xin on February 07, 2009, 01:18:02 PM

Hedge, Are you using sapwood or heartwood?

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: Pat B on February 07, 2009, 03:04:19 PM

Hedge, I've never made ERC arrows so I don't know about tempering. Take a scrap piece and give it a try.

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: hedgeapple on February 07, 2009, 04:51:10 PM

The wood is red, so I"m thinking heart wood.

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 07, 2009, 11:58:23 PM

If it is red it's heartwood.  They will probabably be on the light side and somewhat fragile (like POC) But they will probably smell nice if they break ;)

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: Hillbilly on February 08, 2009, 10:48:28 AM

I'm like Rick-they'll be good arrows until you hit a rock (the same is true of commercial POC shafts, though-like Pat said). They'll sure be purty, though.

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: hedgeapple on February 08, 2009, 10:09:57 PM

Thanks guys for your input.  If I'm hearing you correctly, the sap wood would be better for the arrows of Eastern cedar?

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 08, 2009, 10:55:50 PM

Hedgeapple-  I don't think that the sapwood would make better arrows than the heartwood.  What I responded earlier just sounded that way.  I would go with the heartwood.

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: hedgeapple on February 09, 2009, 12:23:12 AM

Rick, thanks for carifying.  Since I've already cut the cedar into 1/2 squares, I'll go ahead and work them out.  If they break, they break.  If I really like them, I'll make more.   :)

Title: Re: Eastern Red Cedar arrows ??
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 09, 2009, 09:41:20 PM

I agree.  Go for it.  All arrows break .  The ERC will make some real pretty arrows.  Make sure you post some pics. when you get them finished.