Consider some of the operations that you'll need to do over the lifetime of the arrow:

cut the arrow to length -- measuring tape, markers, a store bought or DIY arrow saw needed, dust collection if cutting carbon arrows
square the ends of the arrow -- a store bought squaring tool or DIY
attach points and/or inserts -- hot melt glue + heat source (candle, torch, alcohol burner), pliers optional if you follow the rule of thumb that if it's too hot to hold, it's too hot to put into a carbon arrow; or mixing sticks/pads if using epoxy instead instead of hot melt glue
attach pin nock inserts if you are using pin nocks -- see above
put on wraps if you are using wraps -- any neoprene mouse pad is great for this
fletch the arrow -- fletching jig of your choice, glue of your choice, acetone or AAE wipes to clean shaft
sharpen your hunting broadheads -- sharpening stones
check arrow concentricity -- store bought or DIY arrow spinner
remove fletching if attached without wraps -- not so sharp knife, or zip strip, or other fletch removal tool
remove wraps and fletching -- kettle to boil water and arrows in, or a heat gun if you are brave and know what you are doing
remove points, inserts, and/or pin nocks -- heat source and pliers if hot glued in; drill bits that fit in the arrow to knock out the component if epoxied in
weight arrows, arrow components for the FOC obsessed -- scale that can show weights in grains

 

Consider some of the operations that you'll need to do over the lifetime of the arrow:

cut the arrow to length -- measuring tape, markers, a store bought or DIY arrow saw needed, dust collection if cutting carbon arrows
square the ends of the arrow -- a store bought squaring tool or DIY
attach points and/or inserts -- hot melt glue + heat source (candle, torch, alcohol burner), pliers optional if you follow the rule of thumb that if it's too hot to hold, it's too hot to put into a carbon arrow; or mixing sticks/pads if using epoxy instead instead of hot melt glue
attach pin nock inserts if you are using pin nocks -- see above
put on wraps if you are using wraps -- any neoprene mouse pad is great for this
fletch the arrow -- fletching jig of your choice, glue of your choice, acetone or AAE wipes to clean shaft
sharpen your hunting broadheads -- sharpening stones
check arrow concentricity -- store bought or DIY arrow spinner
remove fletching if attached without wraps -- not so sharp knife, or zip strip, or other fletch removal tool
remove wraps and fletching -- kettle to boil water and arrows in, or a heat gun if you are brave and know what you are doing
remove points, inserts, and/or pin nocks -- heat source and pliers if hot glued in; drill bits that fit in the arrow to knock out the component if epoxied in
weight arrows, arrow components for the FOC obsessed -- scale that can show weights in grains

I appreciate all the info, do you have any recommendations of what tool manufacturers are quality?

 

I appreciate it. I have been going through their catalog and there are a lot of choices. I'm hoping to buy everything I need the first time and not have a collection of things I don't need or tools of poor quality.

 

Buy a good arrow squaring tool! You can pick up an arrow saw Weston on eBay at a good price or a generic brand cheaper! Use goat tuff glue and hot melt for points and or inserts. I’ve been building for 15+ yrs and a good fletching jig. I prefer bitzenburger. My choice though! Buy wraps from 1stringer they peal off easy if you go that route. A good roller Is needed for spin tune. Acetone can be bought on eBay cheap.

 

 

Thank you for all of the info
The arrows look great

 

1) decent Brand Archery Arrow Saw - Use an Older 5K Apple Arrow Saw but doubt they are still available
2) a good Fletching Jig there are a few I use a Blitz does all I needed for 20 plus years
3) Find the better Fletching Adhesive that wells best with your Vanes / Feathers as some are better than others
4) Fletching Removal Tool that won't damage the arrow shaft if using Carbons
These are all I have need in my 20 plus years of building my own arrows from FMJ's to some Gold Tip's & Easton Aluminum 2315 & 2514 mostly these days 2514's.
LFM

 

1) decent Brand Archery Arrow Saw - Use an Older 5K Apple Arrow Saw but doubt they are still available
2) a good Fletching Jig there are a few I use a Blitz does all I needed for 20 plus years
3) Find the better Fletching Adhesive that wells best with your Vanes / Feathers as some are better than others
4) Fletching Removal Tool that won't damage the arrow shaft if using Carbons
These are all I have need in my 20 plus years of building my own arrows from FMJ's to some Gold Tip's & Easton Aluminum 2315 & 2514 mostly these days 2514's.
LFM

Thank you I appreciate the info

 

X2 for OneStringer! They sell pads for rolling on wraps too (basically an oversized thick mousepad). If you plan on using wraps it’s a must in my opinion. Everything else is covered looks like

 

Thank you for the info

 

For arrow squaring and spinning check out the Besquare tool it’s made by a member on here, I have one and love it
RuffLight

 

For arrow squaring and spinning check out the Besquare tool it’s made by a member on here, I have one and love it
RuffLight

I absolutely will thank you

 

I been watching a lot of videos of people building arrows saws with that little harbor freight cut off saw. Seems like it could be done easily with a few supplies and things around the shop. I haven’t gotten around to doing it yet, but it seems you
Could do it for a fraction of the cost of one off Lancaster. I would think that, and a nice fletching jig could get do nearly anything you need. To get started anyway. And if it turns into a arrow building addiction, you can always upgrade

 

eBay 1 can get a Weston for 100.00 when they auction them!

 

I will look into it, thank you

 

A carbon roller for rolling out the carbon shafts WELCOME TO AT

 

Is the roller to just separate the good from the bad? I didn't think you could straighten out damaged carbon fiber.Thanks for the welcome

 

There is a Weston for $100 TYD in the classified right now. You don't even have to pay for eBay "shipping" fees.

 

I appreciate that but I dont think I have been a member long enough to buy or sell yet

 

I don’t buy this idea

 

What?

 

I think he was just trying to get past the 20 post minimum so that he could access the classifieds.

 

Nice, way to contribute to get around the rules

 

I accumilated the equipment to make and repair arrows over the years.

I would also say Lancaster or 3D rivers to get you started

 

I accumilated the equipment to make and repair arrows over the years.

I would also say Lancaster or 3D rivers to get you started

Thank you, I just ordered 3D Rivers catalog

 

The pine ridge arrow spinner is not a very good option. I ordered a bunch of stuff from Lancaster and eBay to start doing arrows and bow maintenance myself and that spinner is my only regret so far.

carbon express arrow saw
G5 squaring device
AAE prep kit-fletch glue, wipes, and primer pen
AAE vanes
Bohning hot melt
Arizona mini max fletching jig
I just used my rifle reloading scale for weight matching but I’ve heard good things about the last chance arrow scale
Then whatever arrows and components you’re going to use

 

The pine ridge arrow spinner is not a very good option. I ordered a bunch of stuff from Lancaster and eBay to start doing arrows and bow maintenance myself and that spinner is my only regret so far.

carbon express arrow saw
G5 squaring device
AAE prep kit-fletch glue, wipes, and primer pen
AAE vanes
Bohning hot melt
Arizona mini max fletching jig
I just used my rifle reloading scale for weight matching but I’ve heard good things about the last chance arrow scale
Then whatever arrows and components you’re going to use

That's a big help, thank you

 

I am actually diving into this same water right now. My carbon express saw should arrive tomorrow as well as some goat tuff glue and shafts! I've had my fletching jig for a while and only used it to repair some arrows many years ago. Can't wait to get started!

 

The more I look in to building arrows it seems like it will be worse than loading ELR ammo

 

Only if you have OCD.

Arrow builds don't really need the same level of precision, accuracy, and consistency unless you are shooting at an extremely high level.

 

I'm trying not to get too nutted up over it......

 

I build my own and have for many years. I do not own a saw. From a cost/benefit analysis, it is worth it for me to have Lancaster or my local shop cut them. Saw would be the last thing on my list.

My current inventory of arrow building tools. You don't really need a lot. My arrows are not fancy as I just consider them a tool, i.e. disposable, although I have shafts that are many many years old that I still shoot.

Bitz fletching tool. I have all three clamps.
G5 arrow squaring tool
Reloading grain scale for weighing components.-recent addition.
Arrow roller-actually an R/C propeller balancer, but same tool. Mostly use for broadhead truing.
Various adhesives. I have started using a primer pen lately although Bohning vanes don't require it.

 

+1 on the cost vs. benefit analysis for a saw.

I ended up building a DIY saw because my work hours and local traffic when I do get off work would prevent me from getting to either one of the closest pro shops which are at least 45 minutes away one way with no traffic. Technically there is a Field and Stream that is 20 minutes away from me, but after reading/hearing enough chatter about them not cutting arrows square, accurately, nor properly (eg. they just push the shaft through the blade instead of spinning the shaft), I was going to stay away from them.

 

Im a bit lucky as my shop is on the way home from work so works out for me. If I was far away, Id probably have one. Actually Lancaster does well if you order from them. I ordered two dozens at different times and both sets were identical as far as cut. I was worried that setup might be a bit different between the two lots and they were the same.

 

Unfortunately, I am not yet to the point of knowing what my final arrow length is due to going up in bow weight, improving my form, and trying to tune for that. So I can't tell Lancaster to cut to a particular length, yet. Someday...

 

Highly recommend the Ruff Light products. Either the square/spin tool, or the 3 in 1 arrow prep if you're interested in spine testing. Best prices for the products and supports a fellow AT member.