[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: ATVs on public lands #47052

If only OHV’s were the only way humanity expressed its collective… shamelessness 🙁

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Adhesive for tip inserts/carbon #33635

Just 2 things to add:

– Broadhead alignment on carbon arrows is done by rotating the broadhead on the broadhead insert (which is best installed using hot glue). Just warm it up and twist clockwise till you get what you want.

– Score the inside of the carbon shaft before gluing. I use a piece of 60 grit sandpaper wrapped around a small screwdriver. Insert and rotate.

– I have found the gorilla glue brand super glue works well and is cheap enough. I have also used bohning’s “insert iron” which works great except that the bottle goes bad way before it is used up.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Purple Heart shafts? #31433

Hexshafts seem very interesting to me. I’ve not tried them because they are heavy. But you might like ’em.

http://www.hexshaftarrows.com/

If they were made of a lighter wood, now that would be the ticket…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Show and Tell #31424

Shelf paper wraps – that sounds good.

Another cheap option that works well for me is White Lacquer. I have tried various white spray paints with poor results. But White Lacquer in a spray bottle works great. And just 1 coat will do (although 2 coats makes it really nice). A $4 can will last many dozen arrows.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Purple Heart shafts? #30362

I would think that is too heavy and expensive to make entire shafts from. But Purple Heart footings… Now that’s a different story.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Show and Tell #30339

Nice bow too! I like to see people making their own bows.

How do you like those poplar arrows? I was thinking of trying to make some laminated arrows in the same spirit as how a fly rod is made using poplar…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Critter Stories #28187

Those turkeys are crazy this time of year.

We’ve seen turkeys every day for the last 5 days or so. On Sunday I was puttering in the garden and a gobbler came out of the woods and started strutting right there in the yard. I could have whacked his head off with the hoe. I wonder if that would have been a “traditional” kill?

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Thanks, Dave! #28181

Well, I have no wise words. But I can imagine the relief, and add to that springtime and turkey hunting…

Take a walk with Caroline and the boys (whichever ones these days) and breath in the glory of life!

Looking forward to whatever the new writing produces…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: My gear… #23830

…And the landscape sure looks lush. Is that backyard or bigger wilds?

I have a friend staying in London and his wife says that there are deer running around the parks in the city… If that can happen, maybe Ireland wont be far behind.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Breeding move over — the Incinerator is here! #18635

Holy S^&#$%#TTT!! 😯 😯

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Calling All Boyers #18628

How you hold the string is important to determining tiller.

I shoot 3 fingers under and find even tiller is best. Those that shoot split fingers usually find a slight positive tiller is best.

Positive tiller means the lower limb is “stronger” and the string is closer to the lower limb than the upper limb.

As Clay says, when in doubt, start over. If it was me, I’d even up the limbs and see what happens. Then loosen the bolt on the top limb a tad if need be. – shoot a bare shaft to see how the arrow is flying as you make your adjustments. A fletched shaft doesn’t tell many tales.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Arrow tuning #18623

Sorry for the late response Troy. But to answer your question, I don’t think it has any effect at all. I’ve killed a mess of squirrels, a few rabbits, and a fair number of ground hogs with ’em.

The ground hogs are kicking my butt this year though… I was thinking of switching the washer out for a piece of carrot.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: fletching tape #18617

I’ve never used tape. But I have had arrows made for me that were taped. They lasted just fine.

I would switch to tape, except I use a jojan fletcher and there would be no point to it – tape really shines when using a single arrow fletcher.

Seems like tape is more expensive than glue though. And I can use my glue for stuff besides arrows…

If I had it to do over again, I might start out using tape.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Long draw –HELP #18608

Draw length is defined as the length of your draw as measured from the back of the bow to the bottom of the nock at full draw.

Get somebody to help you. Draw the bow with an arrow on it. Have somebody mark the arrow at the back of the bow when you have come to full draw. Then let down and measure the arrow. This is your draw length.

Your draw length will change based on your release style, and how much weight you are pulling. I don’t believe you will be happy with anything less than a 66 inch bow (r/d style) or 68 inch (straight long bow).

find a bow that looks good to you, and then just ask the bowyer to make a bow for you. You may not have gotten many responses because these guys deal with tire kickers all the time. If you commit to a serious discussion of purchasing his bow, you will get a better response.

All you need to do is tell them your draw length (measured as previously described) and what weight you want at that length. The rest is easy peasy.

As for arrows… I would suggest you stick with carbon until you get good with whatever bow you end up with. Don’t try to challenge yourself with too much stuff too fast.

And don’t worry yourself about the “physics” of it. Whatever bowyer you settle on will guide you through arrow selection. That’s part of the perks of dealing with a custom bow maker.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Critter Stories #18600

Dogs are a hoot! I bet if he had the chance, he’d do it again 😯

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