{"id":87,"date":"2015-01-28T10:51:08","date_gmt":"2015-01-28T14:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.3riversarchery.com\/?p=87"},"modified":"2024-04-09T12:45:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T17:45:46","slug":"building-your-own-custom-arrows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3riversarchery.com\/blog\/building-your-own-custom-arrows\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Your Own Custom Arrows"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jason D. Mills<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Arrow building, like bow building, can be extremely satisfying. Arrow building, however, is much cheaper and easier to get started than bow building. Besides, every archer will need more arrows at some point, and crafting arrows can give the archer one more way to be connected with their beloved sport and enable them to be the master of every facet of their rig.<\/p>\n

Not all shafts are created equal. That said, this build-along should help DIY-ers turn most carbon shafts into true-flying arrows.<\/p>\n

Choosing your arrow<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are a few things you need to know before starting to build your arrows. First, you must know your draw length and draw weight. These two numbers will tell you what arrow spine you’ll be looking for. An arrow’s spine is how much the arrow flexes during flight. You want your arrow to recover as fast as possible, which means you want the correct spine. Ensuring you have the proper spine is arguably the most important thing to consider when choosing an arrow.<\/p>\n

\"Finding<\/p>\n

Your draw length is the distance from the back of the bow (the point furthest from the shooter) at your grip to the maximum distance you draw the bow. Find your draw length by measuring your arm-span in inches from tip-to-tip of each middle finger and then divide that number by 2.5.<\/p>\n

Pro-Tip:<\/strong> This is your draw length, not your arrow length.<\/p>\n

If you have someone around to help, another, arguably more accurate, method you could use to find your draw length is by drawing back an extra-long arrow to full draw and having someone mark the arrow right in back of the handle. Measure the arrow from the mark to the deepest part of the nock groove. The measurement you get is your draw length.<\/p>\n

\"Easton<\/p>\n

Finally, you could simply use the Easton Draw Length Indicator Shaft<\/a> to check your draw length.<\/p>\n

The next thing you need is your bow’s draw weight. If you don’t have hand held bow scale you’ll just have to go with what is written on your bow, which might not be the most accurate information. First, your bow’s draw weight can be as much as two to three pounds different for every inch of draw length. Second, bow manufactures are allowed to be two pounds off of what is printed on your bow, so your 45# bow could actually be 43# or 47#. This will affect your spine.<\/p>\n

Using your hand held bow scale, draw the string until you hit your draw length and hold. Observe the weight on the scale. This is your actual bow peak weight.<\/p>\n

Once you have determined your draw length and your actual bow peak weight you are ready to find your arrow length. It’s recommended that your arrow length be 1″-2″ longer than your draw length for the safety of keeping the arrow point outside the bow. Arrows that are less than the recommended arrow length can fall from the string, jam or otherwise cause damage to the arrow or the bow, and could even lead to personal injury.<\/p>\n

If you had a friend help you mark the bow, simply add an inch or two to your mark and, voila, you’ve got your arrow length. If you used math to find your draw length, I’m afraid you’ll have to use math to find your arrow length too (that is unless you can find someone to help you mark an arrow while you’re at full draw).<\/p>\n

\"Traditional<\/p>\n

Once you have your arrow length and actual bow peak weight, you are ready to select your correct arrow spine<\/a>. For your benefit, we’ve created a handy chart<\/a> for just that purpose. The 1\/2″ marks over lap on the chart. That said, if you are on two different spines we highly recommend getting a test kit first<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Time to Cut Your Arrow Shafts<\/strong><\/h2>\n