Arrow Building Questions

[cestria]

I'm building my first set of carbons from scratch.

I've weighed the points and shafts, and though they are all very close there is 4-5gn difference between lightest and heaviest shaft and 1-2gn in the points.

I was all set putting the heaviest shaft with the lightest point etc to make theoverall weights as close as possible, but a question crossed my mind.

If an arrows flight is effected by its stiffness, would the heaviest point make the lightest shaft behave differently to the lightest point and heaviest shaft?

So should the heaviest shaft and point go together?

Or am I fussing TOO much?

[Meddler]

T very firmly IC.....

Other points you may wish to consider...

Have you measured the static spine for each arrow to determine whether the amount of bend is the same in each shaft?

Can you be absolutely sure that the arrows have been cut to the exact same length?

You have the same amount of glue on each of the fletchings?

You have the same amount of hot melt holding piles in?

Are the fletchings and nocks all the same weight?

The wraps are all the same weight?

Initial and number decals are all the same weight?

Has each arrow been shot the exact same number of times as every other arrow? (Some material may get rubbed off as it goes past the button, some will get rubbed of when it hits the target, and friction will heat the shaft - how will this affect the arrow?).

And are you a sufficient calibre of archer to notice exactly how much difference this is going to make?

Whilst thinking digitally, then yes, you are correct there will be a difference, but if you think in an analogue manner, you are going to be in the right ball park.

I would suggest therefore that lightest shaft and heaviest point, moving the variation to 2-3 grains (if my arithmetic is working properly).

Sorted.

[worthipa]

Originally Posted by cestria

I was all set putting the heaviest shaft with the lightest point etc to make the overall weights as close as possible,

Good idea, do that, the differences are minor in any case and are only likely to affect the performance of the arrows or the archer in a miniscule way at any level below perhaps GB Team shooter.

[Alandee]

The heaviest shaft will more than likely have the stiffest spine. You may want to have all arrows with the same spine, consider trying heaviest shaft, heaviest point, lightest shaft, lightest point.

[tel]

Although all that I've read before suggests heaviest with lightest as the way to go, I can see a lot of sense in your suggestion. I think I'd be tempted to try both and see what it does for grouping.

[Hidden Hippo]

I would personally build the arrows as you have said (heaviest point with lightest shaft etc.) and just shoot them. I doubt that any inconsistencies will really be noticed by anything less than a national level shooter.

[Schme1440]

I dont think this is nessacery but here is my advise. Make sure all shafts are same length. If so then do as you plan and try and make all shafts the same weight. As with spine. The difference is so small the button will more than compensate. However if one arrow and pile combo comes up heavier. File down the pile a bit till its the correct weight. You can do this as well with nocks but be carefull not to crack them. sand paper would be best for this. To be honest it wont make a lot of difference. People talk about different spine ratings and fletching colours makeing a difference. Richard Priestman (Olympic Medalist and ex gb coach) once tested these theorys and found no noticeable difference untill he reached 90mts and even then there was no big difference. By all means carryon as you are but its not the be all and end all. I just chuck mine together and they still group at any distance. Bow tune is more important.

[wingate_52]

Find out what is different and why it is a different weight. Break off shafts may need a little bit of careful filing after changing the length, but the shafts should weigh the same.Glue, numbers, wraps will all be relatively the same. Find the inconsistancies and sort them out. All componants should weigh the same.

[cestria]

Originally Posted by wingate_52

Find out what is different and why it is a different weight. Break off shafts may need a little bit of careful filing after changing the length, but the shafts should weigh the same.Glue, numbers, wraps will all be relatively the same. Find the inconsistancies and sort them out. All componants should weigh the same.

The shafts are Carbon Impact Blue so wieght difference in the shafts is within the stated range. The points are brass bullets so can be made the same by filing.

I'll work on them this weekend and try them to see if they'll do what I want, else watch out for them on Ebay.

[wingate_52]

I realise that 3 t0 5 grains is not much. One of my vanes weighs 2.8 gns. But I am surprised that there is a difference with the weight of the shafts. The Eastons I shoot have a much better tolerance. having built 2 doz Navigators and 14 Fatboys.Each type end up within 1 gn.