Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Blayne on October 02, 2015, 11:16:30 am
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In the process of building some arrows for an up-coming hunt. I was taught arrow building using silk to reinforce the self nock. It there a big difference with that over cotton? Is cotton thread not as strong? Thanks.
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Both should work fine. I typically use unwaxed dental floss myself.
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I really dig those asian style bamboo arrows with the silk wrappings. They just look so classy. I admire the attention to detail and the ritualistic, almost religious approach they take to traditional handicrafts. I am sure both cotton and silk will work. But what you do, do it well.
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I like silk because it is thinner and stronger. Cotton can be pretty big in diameter, relatively speaking. Now, I use back strap sinew for arrow wraps and seal it with pitch varnish or super glue. I know some folks use upholstery thread but for me it is too big. I've tried fly tying thread but it always breaks just as I'm about to end it.
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Both cotton or silk will work, but I would prefer the silk as it is stronger. I personally use Dacron B-50 or sinew and they work great.
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I've used both, but like Pat I use back sinew now.
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The make a colored flat thread for tying flies. I would say it's equivalent to dental floss the way it flattens out, but it comes in any color you want. The wraps are smooth and seamless.
I've also used a lot embroidery thread because I had a ton of it given to me. It works just fine, but for looks I prefer the fly tying thread.
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You can also get Kevlar fly tying thread if you're after real strong.
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Sinew is plenty strong. I chew a strand until it is soft then wrap around the point and down the shaft about an inch. Once that's done I lick my fingers and twist the shaft with fingers on the wrap to smooth it out. Once that's done you can hardly find the tag end. After a day or so drying(depends on humidity) I seal the wrap with pitch varnish or super glue. This makes a smooth wrap that is plenty strong. You can seal with TBIII also.
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Thanks for the advise everyone! I did use 3/0 black fly tying thread from one of my previous obsessions lol. Soaked in Gorilla super glue. It shall work fine I think. Wrapped the point end of the feathers the same way. My points are slightly big for my shafts, so I may use embroidery thread to taper out to the shaft.
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Rod winding thread, for wrapping the eyes on fishing rods works very well. Super strong - small diameter and comes in zillion different colors. Bob
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I haven't had any problems using heavy button thread for Feathers and fletchings. I glue it down with hide glue. I have used silk but it seems to take forever to finish a wrapping.
(so much for trying to post while using a smartphone)
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Thanks for the advise everyone! I did use 3/0 black fly tying thread from one of my previous obsessions lol. Soaked in Gorilla super glue. It shall work fine I think. Wrapped the point end of the feathers the same way. My points are slightly big for my shafts, so I may use embroidery thread to taper out to the shaft.
On my first arrows I wrapped the self nocks with cotton thread soaked in CA. It was so rough it would peel the skin off my fingers. Sanding it just turned it into fluff. I wipe wood glue on it now. Nice and smooth.
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I also noticed how rough super glue left thread wrappings. I much prefer fly tying head cement or clear sally hansen hard as nails. I've also had good results with quick set epoxy, but it's more time consuming and smells worse.
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After you glue the thread with super glue sand it with fine sand paper add a thin layer of glue and sand again. I have seen silk thread come out like a smooth solid band done like this.
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Lots of great info here! Not to jump in the middle but, Pat could you elaborate some on the pitch varnish? I've heard of pine pitch for halfting but no the varnish. I've just recently collected a bunch of fresh pine pitch and would like to try to make the varnish. Thanks, Patrick
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Patrick, it pretty simple. I guess it actually isn't a varnish but it works well for sealing. I take hard, brittle pitch and dissolve it in alcohol then strain the impurities out and seal it in an air tight jar. I use hard brittle pitch to get a hard finish. If the pitch is sticky or gooey the finish will be.
I use it for sinew wraps and to seal primitive arrows.
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Thanks Pat! That sounds simple and awesome! I will have to try that for sure. Thanks again,
Patrick