Tradhunter - Traditional Archery Bow Hunting Forums

I've been plugging along building my own arrows for about 12 years. I started with aluminums, got fascinated by the carbon revolution, and resorted back to wood. Now I'm on the grass.
About 5 years ago I became intrigued with being able to go to my local garden center and purchase bamboo plant stakes for $1.97 a dozen. Well I'm paying that much for each shaft now but the process still amazes me.
I've decided to post some pics, tell some stories, and answer some questions during the road trip.
Hoping some of you come along for the ride.

Interested. Let the building begin.

Well first of all I think I should introduce myself and explain the direction intended for this post.
My name is Fred and I'm an avis arrowholic as you'll soon find out by the pics I throw in here from day to day.
My intention isn't to give a hands on tutorial of the entire process of turning raw bamboo into accurtate shooting projectiles. Hopefully I will cover the basics with things I've learned on the way and it will make it easier for anyone getting started to make and enjoy the benefits of bamboo arrows.
Here's me practicing a little 3D in my man cave and only residence. This in itself has been a work in progress.
I'm going to try to add a small slide show just for an example of some of the tools I use along the way.
Feel free to make any comments, suggestions or ask any questions because it's a learning experience for me as well.
Here is the direct link if it doesn't work. http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z314 ... %20arrows/

Bowferd.. I would like to see some pics and how you do it

Bowferd those nocks look great. Looks very professional to me! I am having a hard time trying to find a small enough file. I have been using sand paper and have done OK keeping them on my string, but could definitely use help!

I was taught to use 3 hacksaw blades taped together but they were a tad too wide. I reverted to only 2 and then use a small file or sandpaper to clean them up.
Try to find some of these hobby files. Those I'm showing are diamond and have been around here for years. They are a tad too narrow but you can keep the groove tight and finish up with a few swipes of sandpaper.
Included is usually a round one that is perfect for the bottom of the string groove. I leave my alley fairly snug so that it almost snaps into the groove.
Those little cardboard nail files that you get at the drug or department store are invaluable for final touchup. They're inexpensive and last if only used for finish work.
I try to get the nock as uniform as possible.

Bowferd thank you for some good ideas. I do use the 3 saw blades, but have a tough time rounding out the bottom of the groove. I really need to find a set of small files! The nail file is a great idea and I think it will help out considerably. When my son comes over to help me out posting pictures(says I have to many pixels) I will show you what a not so professional nock looks like! Tim

Tim, my early work left a lot of room for improvement. The cardboard nail file is just thick and strong enough to give you control, whereas sandpaper even doubled over will become slack and unmanageable in the grooves. I have used 320 grit sandpaper just doubled over a thin credit card or popsicle stick.
After cutting in the groove you must work the round file slowly without forcing it or you can split the bamboo shaft.

The arrows I assemble aren't in my consideration primative. What I'm trying to accomplish is to build a quality arrow out of a natural product at a minimal cost.
Although I prefer to straighten, sand, and stain most of them, I also utilize shafts from suppliers where the majority of the hard work is already finished.
Just a few years ago it was hard to find suppliers for quality bamboo shafting but today that is not the case.
If a person is fortunate enough to live in an area where bamboo and cane are accessible then by all means I would suggest harvesting and straightening your own.

Weather permitting I always prefer to work outdoors. The lighting, smell, and scenery are all much better than being cooped up at a workbench indoors.
Always at my side outdoors are my camera, binoculars, a cup of coffee, and a strung bow, especially when filing or sanding the nodes down on the bamboo. It must sound like a scratch call and those turkeys are the most curious of birds. I've actually had them come up the ridge from the creek bank within 10 yards of me and stand there looking at me as if asking, what the hell are you doing.
Pictures of some of the tools I use make the work go a little easier.

Products that I use and why. The why is almost always related to cost and availability.
1. Shafts from a reasonable source.
2. 1/8" and 3/16" hardwood dowels from a local supplier. (inserts for the nock and point ends of the bamboo)
3. Titebond II (glueing in the dowels)
4. Artificial sinew. (inexpensive, strong, color selection)
5. Loctite thin superglue (extra hold at the beginning and end of all sinew wraps)
6. Full length feathers by the 100 quantity. ( usually get 2 fletches from each feather)
7. Crafter's Pick "The Ultimate". (water based super glue for fletching)
8. Plastic coffee canister on the work bench full of walnut hulls soaking in either water or alcohol for staining.
9. I'm sure I'll add more later.