Making a Draw Length Arrow

[Watch_Man]

We wanted to record draw length in a consistant and repetitive manner. Not being able to find a draw length arrow on sale in the UK we made one in 5 minutes.

You need

1 long straight arrow nocked to fit on your string. I used a Gold Tip Pro Hunter but something like a CXL would do fine and not break the bank, of course you may have something lying around!

1 self adhesive tape measure available from ebay under dress making, or from Singer online. These are about £2.50

Narrow sellotape.


Clean the arrow with some acetone or specs wipe.

Put thestart of the tape at the throat of the nock - the tape will need to have the numbers upside down as the numbers need to go from nock to point.

At the 1" position make a mark and cut the tape at 1" - this stops you having to stick the tape to the nock.

The tape comes with cm and inches. We wanted inches so we cut down the length of the tape to remove the cm side.

Carefully (best with 2 people) stick the tape to the entire length of the shaft just like a really big arrow wrap.

The downside is that these tapes can be repositioned and therefore we have found it necessary to wrap the arrow with a long length of sellotape to seal everything in place.

And thats it, you can now measure draw length to a fixed point so if you change strings or cables you can use it to help get your bow back to the same position as before.

Of course the numbers are upside down but you can always ask Marcus to read them
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Now someone is going to tell me where you can get draw length arrows for a fiver

[mk1]

Well no, but I have a home made one that comes to bits - saves you carrying a 33 inch arrow around - you just need an arrow that fits inside another one so you can hotmelt sections in to allow you to rejoin the three section you cut the original into. The measures are written on in permanent marker and then have tape over.

[Trunkles]

We just used a piece of dowel with a nock glued on the end and pen markings

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by Trunkles

We just used a piece of dowel with a nock glued on the end and pen markings

Likewise. Does for me

[worthipa]

Originally Posted by Watch_Man

Now someone is going to tell me where you can get draw length arrows for a fiver

Certainly not that much .... £3.50

http://www.k1-archery.com/tools/indexk1.htm (scroll down)

[Flying Whale]

Originally Posted by worthipa

Certainly not that much .... £3.50

Sound expensive for a piece of dowel that long...Do you shop at Homebase?

[SVL]

Originally Posted by Trunkles

We just used a piece of dowel with a nock glued on the end and pen markings

Same here and you write the numbers the correct way up, so that's Marcus out of a job

[worthipa]

Originally Posted by Flying Whale

Sound expensive for a piece of dowel that long...Do you shop at Homebase?

Ah but you do get a free nock and an insert at both ends ...!

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by worthipa

Certainly not that much .... £3.50

http://www.k1-archery.com/tools/indexk1.htm (scroll down)

I had seen them in the USA but not UK dealers. Its US $6.90 + shipping of around US$20 for USPS airmail, so that will make it nearer to £15

It would be good if a UK dealer had one for £3.50 though!

As for the dowel, my DIY skills do not extend to cutting wood and stuff..... I would need to get archery_mum to do it for me as I hate DIY However she is too busy re-sealing the bath at the minute

[yoda]

Originally Posted by worthipa

Certainly not that much .... £3.50

http://www.k1-archery.com/tools/indexk1.htm (scroll down)

11.90 for a tally arrow counter????

glad i got one free from the lynx promotion lol.