new arrows, making myself

[yoda]

just got some shafts from merlin. one end of the shaft is marked with a black marker. is this supposed to be the nock end or the pile end?

also on the shafts(5/16's) i was wondering whether it's best to have the piles flush with the shaft or is it acceptable to have them slightly raised (if you know what i mean)?

i'm new to the wooden arrow making so any help would be appreciated.

cheers

yoda

[Kae]

Is the marker on one particular side of the arrow? in line with the grain perhaps, as the nock should align with the grain in a particular way (across the grain).

Also, I prefer to make my arrows so that the pile is flush with the shaft, as I believe this reduces the chance of the head coming off whilst it is in the boss.

There's a lot more to wooden arrow making than meets the eye! (if you want to do it properly that is!).

Do a quick search, I've typed full instructions up several times, along with other people, so you should, cross fingers, find everything you need to make a good job.

Kae.

[yoda]

Originally Posted by Kae

Is the marker on one particular side of the arrow? in line with the grain perhaps, as the nock should align with the grain in a particular way (across the grain).

Also, I prefer to make my arrows so that the pile is flush with the shaft, as I believe this reduces the chance of the head coming off whilst it is in the boss.

There's a lot more to wooden arrow making than meets the eye! (if you want to do it properly that is!).

Do a quick search, I've typed full instructions up several times, along with other people, so you should, cross fingers, find everything you need to make a good job.

Kae.

cheers kae, the marks in " thick marker " are on one end and don't seem to be anything to do with the grain as the marker is too thick to distinguish.

i was just wondering if the poc shafts were suited for the nock or pile at one end hence the marks?

think i saw one of your guides ref the piles but after searching 20-30 pages last night i was a bit peed off when i couldn't find it lol.


cheers

yoda

[Et tu brute]

Hi Yoda,

I'd think the mark is just to distinguish what spine the arrows are, for example 30-35 blue end marker, 35-40 black end marker, 40-45 red end marker (they wont be correct, just an example) etc.

I'd agree with Kae that the point should sit flush to the shaft.

Good luck with your wooden arrows, they're great fun to make!

[yoda]

Originally Posted by Et tu brute

Hi Yoda,

I'd think the mark is just to distinguish what spine the arrows are, for example 30-35 blue end marker, 35-40 black end marker, 40-45 red end marker (they wont be correct, just an example) etc.

I'd agree with Kae that the point should sit flush to the shaft.

Good luck with your wooden arrows, they're great fun to make!

cheers m8, they are 35-40 so the black marker would be right if that's true, can anyone confirm this?

cheers

shaun

[ChakaZulu]

I think the point he was making is that the purpose of the marks is to show the spine, and he was using the particular colours as examples (guessing). Mine are from a different retailer and the ends were red. Doesn't matter what spine they are, but that's the purpose of the colour.

So no, it doesn't matter which end you use as piles.

[Et tu brute]

Those colours I mentioned were just an example, however I appear to have struck lucky with one! In my experience most of the shafts I've bought have had some sort of colouring on the end of the shaft.

You beat me to it, Dan!

[yoda]

ahh, cheers guys, sorted that out for me then.

thanks for the replies, time to get making some arrows methinks lol.

cheers again

shaun

[Et tu brute]

No worries. Be warned about making arrows, (if you haven't already discovered this) it's addictive! Was/is for me anyway, be sure to post some pics if you can once your done.

[steve58]

Originally Posted by Et tu brute

No worries. Be warned about making arrows, (if you haven't already discovered this) it's addictive! Was/is for me anyway, be sure to post some pics if you can once your done.

Addictive for sure, but only way to REALLY learn what suits you and your bow/shooting.

One thing about a really flush fitted pile, it is harder to use as a draw length check ... Less grumbles from other archers pulling them though, especially if you're shooting a fast/heavy bow ...