Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Bevan R. on March 11, 2011, 01:06:49 am
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Got a bunch of nice Sourwood Shoots from ahawi stick. I am getting them scrapped so they will dry. After that I am in unknown territory as to how to procede. Any pointers on a tutorial or build-a-long?
Bevan R
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After you get them stripped you can wrap them together in a bundle to dry. Thats what I usually do. Once dry I use oil and our gas cook stove wto straighten out the major bends. After they cool i go for the minor bends and after those cool I size them. I have a story board with 3 different size holes, 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2". I use a thumb plane to reduce the point end to fir the 3/8" hole.
After they are relatively straight I start at one end and heat the shaft again, this time with no oil. I like a bit of scorch as camo so I work the heat from one end out to the other scorching as I go. Be careful at the far end as the steam will scald you. After the tempering I lay them on a flat surface and let them rest until cool. You can finish making the arrow now but don't stress them or let them sit for a week to rehydrate. After that it is just like other shafting.
While working with the thumb plane I check spine and if too high I use the thumb plane and sand paper to reduce the spine.
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Thanks Pat. Kind of the plan I was going to try. As far as a heat source, do you think a space heater would generate enough heat?
Bevan R
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It might but I think you could find a better option with more concentrated heat. If you have an electric cook stove that would work better.
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Single burner hot plate? Just brainstorming.
Bevan R
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That will do it as will a heat gun or propane torch...or fire! ;)
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lil buddy heaters work nice too ;)
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Here's some info. I wrote this a long time ago. Now that I am retired I ca unbundle the shafts frequently and hand straighten. I mostly don't need to heat straighten if I do that. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/shoots.html