ORIGINAL: Rack-attack
Thanks Jeff,
I hear you on the runoff. I have been testing all my arrows in stock this past week also. Must be an Easton thing because my Bemans had the worst runoff of almost all my shafts. I do notice that all shafts with specs of .003 or worse have more run out that any makes shaft with a .001 rating. I still think having that .001 within 28” is the best starting point and results in a straighter overall shaft – even at the ends.
ABSOLUTELY! start with the best you can find. Even the CX 3D selects and GoldTip Pros have some run-out on occasion, however the vast majority of the time it's minimal and easily cut out. I have a new dozen of the GoldTip Pro Hunter 75/95s, and all but two are immaculate for starightness. The other two have a very slight wobble at one end or the other that I'm not sure would be much of a problem even for someone who is using them full length.
My Parker SuperCarbons rolled better than all my other shafts – thus my post in the equipment forum that NOBODY responded to
. They seem like decent quality shaft.
I've yet to see any except at the show. I do know they are made overseas. I've heard mixed messages re: them. Curious... did a manufacturers rep send you a dozen to test? Beware, 'cos they always send the cream of the crop when trying to get your business!
Question – What process of manufacturing is causing the end runoff? I assume the shafts are cut from a longer blank. If so why are the ends out? It doesn’t make sense that a long blank would be straight for 28” then runoff, then straight for 28”, then runoff. What am I missing.
I'm not positive either. I've read up on the various techniques for making carbon fiber tubing. Some use a final layer of a heat shrink type wrap which then compresses the fiber while it cures in an oven. I would think this would eliminate that, however from my readings I believe that final shrink process is not used when making the "wrapped" type shafting we use for archery (though I could have mis-read the documentation..it's been awhile). At any rate, I don't know how long the mandrels used are. The only thing I could think of is that the tubing is removed from the mandrel before it is fully cured, and as it sits wherever, the ends "lift up" as it cools/dries. But I don't know for a fact. The arrow manufacturers are
extremely secretive about the actual process (rightly so, I guess).
P.S. can you send me some GT info, or a contact name and number?
I'm out of town for the next 8 days Chuck, so I can fax you the dealer info I have when I get back. But I would recommend you just head over to the GoldTip website,go to the contacts page, give 'em a call and ask for Tim Gillingham ("X-cutter" over @ ArcheryTalk). He is one of the sales reps.
