Laminating wooden arrow shafts

Since starting to shoot Longbow & a Hun horesback bow around a year ago. I find that making my own arrows very theraputic. I would like to progress though, and start making some with hardwood ends spliced onto the original poc shafts. Are there any books on the subject for doing this? Does anyone out there actually do this who can advice on techniques and possible equipment required? Many thanks. Pete

[Mad Archer]

I can't advise you on books for this, but what you describe sounds like making footed arrows, and I believe there are books on that subject.

Thank you Mad Archer. I was talking to a chap last night who confirmed what you said it is called footing an arrow.

He told me he had seen it done, but it seems quite difficult and time consuming to do.

Anyway now I know the correct term I can see if i can find some literature on the subject.

[Tom]

These threads might be of interest to you:

http://www.archery-interchange.com/f...ed-arrows.html
http://www.archery-interchange.com/f...ed-arrows.html
http://www.archery-interchange.com/f...ow-making.html

They should give you a bit to go on.

Many thanks Tom.

I have made a note and been to websites and saved them, I think this information I can get now will be invaluable. If you are ever up in Lincolnshire come over to Friskney & I'll buy you a pint.

Pete

[jaselpool]

Originally Posted by horsebowman

Since starting to shoot Longbow & a Hun horesback bow around a year ago. I find that making my own arrows very theraputic. I would like to progress though, and start making some with hardwood ends spliced onto the original poc shafts. Are there any books on the subject for doing this? Does anyone out there actually do this who can advice on techniques and possible equipment required? Many thanks. Pete

Hi - yep footed arrows are the elite of the arrowmaking process IMO. If made correctly you're probably looking at around 2.5 hours per arrow build time and a little extra if putting in Horn nocks. There are a few books out there but one of the best IMO for explaining the process from an easy to understand point is the section on footed shafts in The Traditional Bowyers Bible (no 3).

It's a long process but one well worth it if you want to make and shoot the best possible arrows you can

Jase

[Jerry Tee]

Originally Posted by horsebowman

Since starting to shoot Longbow & a Hun horesback bow around a year ago. I find that making my own arrows very theraputic. I would like to progress though, and start making some with hardwood ends spliced onto the original poc shafts. Are there any books on the subject for doing this? Does anyone out there actually do this who can advice on techniques and possible equipment required? Many thanks. Pete

I agree with all above, but what you said about laminating arrows got me thinking. Is it possible to laminate an arrow. At first I thought no he is talking about footing and then it occcured to me that there is a way of gluing together bits of wood to make a shaft that is better than an ordinary bit of wood. I have a very old split cane fishing rod which is constructed by gluing together segments of bamboo. and I thought I wonder if you could make an arrow that way?

[Et tu brute]

Interesting idea, but there are really only a few types of wood used commonly for making arrows, POC, pine, spruce are the main ones I can think of, possibly birch. So you'd be pretty limited for materials unless you want to make your own shafts? Presumably the two (or however many) types of wood would have to be identically spined for the best performance. It's be very interesting to try out though

I always wanted a split cane rod when I was a kid, never got one though. Anyway back to subject, sounds an interesting concept & have thought about it since Jerry T raised it.

Been an amatuer woodworker for over 40 years though if you laminated several pieces of wood over the full length say 30" to make each arrow I think it would be far too stong and stiff, possibly needing a bow off 100lb draw weight or more even for a 5/16" shaft. I come to this conclusion as I used to do this for making lamps and bowls on the lathe and it does make an exceptionally strong form of constuction.

As et tu brute says worth an experiment maybe for a couple of arrows just to test the theory

[SVL]

Originally Posted by Jerry Tee

I agree with all above, but what you said about laminating arrows got me thinking. Is it possible to laminate an arrow. At first I thought no he is talking about footing and then it occcured to me that there is a way of gluing together bits of wood to make a shaft that is better than an ordinary bit of wood. I have a very old split cane fishing rod which is constructed by gluing together segments of bamboo. and I thought I wonder if you could make an arrow that way?

Actually, I think this is also covered in the bowyers bible.