I'm relatively new to traditional bow hunting - I am shooting a 65# Bear - Bear Hunter TD - I bought some great cedar arrows that fly great but I would like to have a more personal touch on my arrows - should I build my own or order customs - which would be more economical in the long run? How much would I be looking at spending up front to build my own?

I love this forum - so much great info -

Thanks
Mike

This is what I have invested in my arrow building supplies:
1.DAA spine tester-$100
2.Young Feather Burner-$60(used)
3.Dip tubes-$10/each(I have 3)
4.Jo-Jan Multi fletcher-$70
5.Woodchuck Taper Grinder-$140
6.Woodchuck Taper Plane-$100
7.Bohning crester-$50(used)
8.Misc.tools-grainscale,shaft straightener,etc-$20
Plus the cost of points,feathers,nocks,brushes,paints,stains and sealers.Some of the tools you can do without.If you like shooting parallel shafts,you can do without the Taper Plane.You can get fletching jigs alot cheaper,too-I like the 6 arrow jig.The power taper grinder-you can get a hand tool for about $25.And you can buy feathers already cut or get choppers for whatever style fletch you want.You can put into as much as you want-you decide.

I forgot to mention that I didn't buy this stuff at once-I bought and upgraded equipment over the years.You could get away with dropping a couple hundred bucks though to set you up decent enough.

To make you first dozen arrows you can figure on spending $18-20 for a dozen quality shafts that are matched in spine and weight and for another $3 you can have the shafts cut to length and tapered on both ends

You will also need:
$29 for 100 precut feathers
$15 dipping tube for gasket lacquor
$25 quart of gasket lacquor (finish)
$ 5 stain if desired
$30-35 for inexpensive fletcher
$7-8 for fletching tape [sticks immediately, no waiting for glue to dry]
$ 2 duco cement for nocks
$ 3 hot melt for points

Of course you need a heat source to use the hot melt. I don't do any fancy cresting because I basically am not handy. My arrows fly well and that's enough for me. Feathers are what drive the price up.

It's like old folks undies--depends.
If your labor is worth anything at all, buy them. Elite sells very good parallel arrows for around $50/dz.
If you like to fiddle with them, your cost will be around $35/40 dz, if you use the very best materials. I like to do it, so I make multiple dozens per year. You can never have enough time or arrows!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Your life is made of time, not money.

Like John says unless you like making them and I do once in a while. I think your better off buying them from someone like Elite who spines them very close and takes all the headackes out for about 25 bucks more a dozen then you can make them for. I have six fletchers and I do make them but more often lately I just buy them already made and use my equipment for fixing my arrows that need repair. Those become my rabbit arrows. I just bought six Ace 160 grain blunts and put them on six Howard Hill Archery arrows I bought( out of 2 dozen)about four years ago that are equal spine. I'm never short of arrows anymore.

Where are you finding elite for $50/doz.?

Thanks you answered my question

Paul Jalon owns Elite arrows. He is out of Michigan. Don't quote me on the price! It's been awhile since I bought any from him.
www.fairchase.com\elitearrows
Your life is made of time, not money.
Yup, just checked. It's still $48/dz + shipping.
Good arrows

Edited by - john nail on 02/03/2003 16:53:26

I can vouch for Elite Arrows. I never owned any but shot them out of his booth mate's Griffin longbows. I was amazed at the quality and how they flew. Also I bought a McCullough Griffin longbow. If you've never shot one, you have a treat ahead of you.