New guy arrow building question

[hogup]

#6209

I am new to arrow building and right at the get-go I have a question. After I cut the bevels for the knock and point I fit the respective pieces on the shafts and they fit fine. However, once I apply the hot glue to the shaft neither the point or the knock fit as they did without the glue. I can not get either of them seated to the full depth. Its like air is trapped in the pocket by the glue and the point and knocks will not fully seat. What am I doing wrong?

[David Petersen]

#48914

Gary, you should use fletching cement or super glue or Duco or somesuch for nocks. For points, drop a drop of heat glue on the bevel, then heat the head a bit (I use pliers over the kitchen stove), now, quickly, lightly heat the glue on the shaft but not enough for it to flame up, and stick on the head. Now heat the head on the shaft a bit more, press it against a board on the floor or suchlike and hold the head with pliers while you twist the shaft to firmly seat the head. Finally, dip the hot head in a container of water to cool it, and trim off any excess glue that squeezed out behind the head. Sounds complicated but it’s all one smooth operation and takes but a few seconds. Good luck.

[hogup]

#48981

Thanks Dave. I’ll give it a go.

[Clay Hayes]

#49015

As Dave says, heating the head will make all the difference. But be careful you don’t overheat and take the temper out of the steel. If the filed steel along the cutting edge starts to turn colors, tan at first then blue, you’re getting the head too hot.

Also, while the head is still hot you can twist the shaft in small increments to get perfect allignment.

[Author]

Posts