Cedar arrow shafts

[ghost]

So I am cleaning out those places that seem to collect stuff ;D and I find 36 cedar shafts. My father use to shot a 50 lb recurve. He built his arrows and I think they are splined for 50 lb.

The shafts are about 50 years old and while some are so bent they will be good for bracing plants other are very straight.

The question is, at that age are they any good? Next I have to find some people that shoot traditional.

Are the worth the time to find a triad shooter or just use them in my gardening?

Ghost

[royden]

not being a trad expert by any means ... the first two ideas that come to mind: inspect for cracks and bend gently then consider ... the tree might have been 300 yrs old when the shafts were made so 350 yrs shouldn't be much different.

[ghost]

Jan 17, 2010 16:23:01 GMT -5 royden said:

... the tree might have been 300 yrs old when the shafts were made so 350 yrs shouldn't be much different.

True, but once cut and made into arrow shafts the wood will start drying and after 50 years they may be too brittle to stand the shock of repeated shots and bag target hits.

If there is any change they might injury an inexperienced shooter I would rather junk them.

Ghost

[smj]

Wood dries out whether cut or not. The cut ends will dry out faster than the mid-sections. Typically, if the wood is wet and the ends left unsealed - read that as waxed or painted - the wood at the ends dries so quickly that splits start to form. Cracks in the wood. If the ends are not cracked - I would expect the shafts to be OK. However - that said, with changes in humidity the wood absorbs and then dissipates the humidity in and out. Rather like breathing. This is a problem for old piano sound boards. The cell structure of the wood can change, rendering the sound be of a lesser quality due to changes in humidity over time (like 100 years or more). As to arrow shafts - I suppose it might have an effect on spine, but if they are not cracking I'd be interested. I like cedar shafts. What length are they? If they are less than 28" - I can't use them. A lot of trad archers would like to have those! Thanks for posting!

[ghost]

Jan 17, 2010 22:39:29 GMT -5 smj said:

I like cedar shafts. What length are they? If they are less than 28" - I can't use them. A lot of trad archers would like to have those! Thanks for posting!

The blank shafts are 31.5 inches. Some of the assembled arrows, measured from the string position in the nock to the points tip, are 30.5 and a few are 28 inches.

The shafts appear to have a lacquer coating. I did not find any splits and they did not creak or break when flexed. I even tried to flex break a few of the really bend shafts but stopped before the broke.

I ran them on an arrow spinner an have 21 that are responsibly straight. How much out of round is acceptably? My father's arrow building skill was horrible. ;D I think a friend of his did the fletching but his cresting is really bad.

Ghost

[smj]

Wood is wood. They almost always have to be straightened. A pal of mine is very good at making reasonably straight shafts out of slightly bent ones... I find it a bit of an art that I've not yet mastered.

I have not started yet - but have a project in mind just such shafts. I have been playing with chipping tips and want to make up some arrows with stone heads and turkey fletch. (I am somewhat counting on getting a spring Nebraska turkey this year, too!) Anyway - I am interested, please don't use all of them for gardening! (Keeping some of the built arrows with the cresting on them for use in the garden would be novel!) What kind of deal do you have in mind?

Also - anyone else interested? Please speak up!

Drop me a PM if you'd prefer...

[ghost]

Jan 18, 2010 19:08:31 GMT -5 smj said:

I am interested, please don't use all of them for gardening! (Keeping some of the built arrows with the cresting on them for use in the garden would be novel!) What kind of deal do you have in mind?

Also - anyone else interested? Please speak up!

Drop me a PM if you'd prefer...

They are 11/32 diameter but I can not shoot them out of my crossbow so you are welcome to them........stop by and pick them up ;D ;D

I have no use for them except as stakes in my garden and that would probably be a tragedy so if no one else is interested I guess they are yours.

Probably a little to long a drive so I will have so mail them. My wife thinks I should get one $ per shaft. I will sent them out and you tell me what they are worth. Mailing tube?? packed with what to kept them from breaking??

Ghost

[smj]

Yeah - a bit long to drive... Unless you want to come out elk hunting this fall... you'd be most welcome...

I am mostly interested in the blank shafts that are 31.5 inches in length. I will take the ones that are already built up - but to be honest don't have a lot of interest in those and would probably just pass them along. I happen to know a few folks that like to shoot wood. How many of the 31.5 inch blanks do you have? Of those, I have no problem at all givng you a dollar per shaft if you'd like - assuming they are sound and I can make arrows out of them! (And I will cover all shipping costs of course!) The cheapest I have found cedar shafts for right now are about $1.60 per shaft. They go up from there...

[ghost]

I have 11 of the 31.5 blanks but they all have white cresting. It is the worst cresting job you will ever see. ;D

I have 13 with nocks only so that gives you 29.5 inches of wood , probably 30 after removing the nock.

I took a closer look and am worried about the cresting........while the shafts are lacquered the cresting paint is an unknown. I do not know it you can removed the with paint with out damaging the shafts.

I think the best plan is to send you the two groups of shafts and you look at them. If the cresting can not be removed then they are junk. With that with paint I think one dollar is too much so you decide what they are worth.

If you think they are not worth sending then I will use them in the garden. ;D

If still interested send me a pm with your mailing address.

Ghost.

[ghost]

I just tried some acetone on the white paint and it takes it off fast enough to leave some lacquer. I think my father crested with white enamel, possilby house paint.

Ghost