How to Build Hunting Arrows In 4 Easy Steps
How to build hunting arrows:
Materials/ Equipment Needed
- Fletching jig (I use a Bitzenburger single arrow jig, LH Helical)
- Vanes (I use 4” Marco vanes)
- Arrow shafts ( I use 5575 Gold Tip Pro Hunters)
- Nocks
- Inserts
- Arrow saw or use pre-cut shafts
- Fletching stripper tool (if removing old vanes)
- Fletching glue (I use a fast drying glue)
- Thinner or denatured alcohol (I use Bohning)
- Arrow holder (some people use a block of Styrofoam)
- Felt pen
- De-burring tool
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
- Lint free cloth
- broad heads
1- Cut Arrows to length
Materials for this step:
- Arrow saw
- Felt pen
- De burring tool
- Arrow shafts
- Nocks
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
First decide how long you want your arrows. I have them so they just are past the arrow rest. Put the nocks on the arrows and draw your bow back in a safe direction with the arrow shaft nocked. Get someone to carefully mark where the arrow protrudes the rest with the felt pen. Draw the bow down carefully and remove arrow. Set the arrow saw up so the blade is cutting where the mark is and cut the shaft. Make sure you are wearing safety goggles and a dust mask! Spin the shaft slowly as the blade cuts all around the arrow shaft. Use the de burring tool to remove any debris inside the arrow. Repeat process until all shafts are cut to length. Remember to be careful with the cutting disc blades as they are very brittle.
2- Clean Arrows and Prep them for Vanes
Materials needed for this step
- Lint free cloth
- Denatured alcohol
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Fletching stripper tool
- Arrow holder
If you need to strip off old fletching, use the fletching removing tool and Strip of the old vanes. Use the fine grit sandpaper to remove the old glue and you are ready to put new vanes on. Wipe the ends of the shafts with denatured alcohol on the lint free cloth. Do not use rubbing alcohol! Set the arrows in the arrow holder making sure you do not touch were the vanes are to be glued on.
3- Glue The Vanes On Arrow Shafts
Materials needed
- Fast dry vane glue
- Nocks
- Fletching jig
- Arrow holder
Make sure your fletching jig is set up as pert he instruction manual!
Helical fletching will help broad head flight tremendously!
While doing these procedures remember not to touch were the fletching is going to be glued on because your finger oils will inhibit proper adhesion.
Place the nocks inside the ends of the arrow shafts. Put the arrow in the fletching jig and make sure the nock is all the way in. Insert a vane in the clamp without touching the bottom of the vane (were it gets glued). Run a small bead of glue down the base of the vane and put the clamp on the jig were the magnet meets and slide it down until it sits perfectly on the shaft.
Do not use too much glue!! Apply pressure for 10 seconds and open clamp to turn arrow. Turn the nock receiver and repeat steps until the fletching is completed on the arrow. Put a dab of glue on the front and back of each vane so your fletching does not rip off easily if it goes through a target or animal. Make sure to do this especially if using a whisker biscuit. Place the arrow in the holder and let dry.
4- Glue the inserts inside the shaft
Materials needed
- Inserts
- Fast dry glue
- Broad heads
Take your inserts and screw them on the broad heads you are using. Try not to touch were the glue is going to be. Put glue on the insert all around the top and slide it into the shaft while holding on to the broad head. Be careful not to cut yourself. Look at the vanes and twist the insert until the broad head blades are inline with the vanes on the arrow. This will give you a more consistent broad head flight with your arrows. Set the arrow down on the table or arrow holder and let dry. Repeat this step until all your hunting arrows are done and keep them just for hunting. The other arrows you use for practice can have the inserts glued in randomly or use practice broad heads and glue them in the same way. Do not glue the broadhead to the insert!!! As you will want to remove them and shoot field points too. Let the arrows sit overnight if you want to be safe with the glue being completely dry.
