How I make arrows

[SAUER35]

I don't know if anyone else has said it, but love the map in the background.

[friedchicken1981]

i used to build arrows like you, then i took an arrow in the knee

[wetfly2010]

and i apologize, i called u chris on accident. ur youtube name messed me up lol

[philochristos]

@wetfly2010 No worries. :-)

[wetfly2010]

Chris, Been surfing your website, Great STUFF! found out i made my first bow with some major mistakes, but thanks to the site, i could fix it. Is there anywhere you have the WHOLE video? this is a great tutorial, but i'd love to see the whole thing

[philochristos]

@wetfly2010 I'm Sam, and I'm afraid I no longer have the whole video. I deleted it. Sorry.

[bowguy90]

its kinda like if you mixed Gabe from 'The Office' and Howdy Doody in sort of a ginger-ish-y sorta mix and voila- you have reincarnated the OP! ok now that that's out of the way - cool arrows br0!

[l0n3lysk8er]

I used to make my own arrows. I used to have this obsessive infatuation with arrows. I grew up on a farm where my grandfather and grandmother would in fact raise me to grow up to be one of the wealthiest arrow technician salesman on this half of the states. I was working one day at the mill and one of the arrows shot out of the stone press, hitting me in the knee. I then realized how far I had built myself up on the chain of arrow making, until I took an arrow to the knee

[friedchicken1981]

@l0n3lysk8er HA! you got me there XD

[stealtysniper99]

awsome vid

[philochristos]

@stealtysniper99 Thanks. :-)

[kajuxlt123]

You wanna know how i make arrows?

Well, i don't.

[huyked]

When I looked at your cat's tail on the table at 7:00, I thought, "Perfect material for a bow silencer." :D haha ;)

[pokermon919]

Made my own arrows with wooden dowels. Alot of them are not suitable for arrows so I bought a pack of 100. Its fun making them and gratifying when you're shooting them.

[quietwake]

I like your style dude.

[Zardikar94]

even retard can make arrow using 21 century technology but how to make it using primitive tools ? not everyone have those machines you dumb ass.

[rollorhodes]

@Zardikar94 .....*cricket*... Anyway, dumb-ass, thanks for all the great bowyery info. I followed your red oak bow build-along and it turned out quite nice. Now it's time to make some arrows... Cheers.

[R3dical444]

@Zardikar94

just buy one arrow. or, how much you can afford. In poland (where things ARE NOT CHEAP) an arrow costs 9.00 PLN equal to 2 British Pounds. Something around 2-4$ mabey, idk. Look on the net and you'll surely find a fine arrow cheaply.

And before you'll start shitting on how you dont have any money...Stfu, either

a)get a job

b)make your parents give you 20$

c)steal 10$ from your parents.

Or, forget about an arrow or a bow.

Have nice day.

[Zardikar94]

@R3dical444 ahhahaah i have money, enough to buy arrows but i want to build it like cave men did or at least medieval men, you know, and be proud of it :-D

[R3dical444]

@Zardikar94 Heheh, i know what you mean. Every idiot can buy an arrow... It's a lot cooler when you'll shoot your arrow and say "i made it. :D "

[Zardikar94]

@R3dical444 yes ! thats right :D

[zoomer328]

@R3dical444 i did that but needs feather and im sure wen it hits that bunny its gonna break its made outta a real thin stick lol

[duikertjen]

thanks man ;-)



[duikertjen]

and what can you use if you do not have?

[philochristos]

@duikertjen You should search youtube for "flintknapping." Then you can make your own arrow heads out of flint, obsidian, glass, chert, and a variety of other materials. You can even use bone. Or you can use an old saw blade, cut it out with a dremel tool, and grind it into an arrow head. Or you can buy broadheads.

[duikertjen]

what do you use as tip ?

[philochristos]

@duikertjen Field points.

[BlueCopper80]

Any idea what kind of draw weight these arrows can handle before they break?

[firewoodguy2009]

how much per 1000 arrows

[philochristos]

@firewoodguy2009 How much what?

[andruvan]

and that is one arrow

[watchmyvidsplease]

PUSSY CAT !!!!!!!!!

[taylorwilliamm]

This guy Is freaking awesome!

[gusthelesswise]

You are actually hilarious. Thank you.

[bomberry1117]

Ive been trying to make purpleheart footings but everytime i take off my clamps the arrow shaft splits down the centre. It seems like there is too much tension on the footings for the shaft to handle. Have u had this problem before? Also i have a veritas dowel maker i got at lee valley, is yours a 3/8" dia.? I really like your sanding and your doweling jigs, i'm gunna go make some right now. Great vids.

[philochristos]

@bomberry1117 That hasn't happened to me. It could be that your footings aren't thin enough near the tip. That's why I dish them. They should slide in fairly easliy.  If you have to jam them in, then they're probably too tight. Yes, I use the 3/8" dowel maker.

[bomberry1117]

@philochristos I think that might be it. My footings are 3/4" squared and 6 inches long. what are the dimensions of the ones that you're using? I'll match them then give it another try. Thanks

[philochristos]

@bomberry1117 Those dimensions are good. I just mean you should make the tip of the chisel end thinner and dish it. And be sure you have a lot of glue in that area.

[SkeithRedux]

You are a talented craftsman. I'll have to try this sometime.

[farkasfruit]

Where did you buy your taper cutting tool? I've been looking for it on the net but I couldn't find one that is similar to the one you use. Nice vid, by the way, very detailed description of the process. Helped me out a lot.

[philochristos]

@farkasfruit Google "veritas tools" "dowel maker."

[1x93cm]

i make mah bows and arrows with a hatchet and a hand planer

WOOT

[crash5565]

I have to say your video and your site are one of the best how tos I have ever seen on making a bow and arrows. I love them. I am just curious would you be able to add a list of common and necessary tools for making the bow and arrows?

[philochristos]

@crash5565 I might do that. That's how most people do it. But I prefer to introduce tools as I go along because that's kind of how I did myself. I acquired tools as I discovered the need for them.  Thank you for your kind words.

[JackingAllTrades]

Great video! I am definitely going to try make some!

[S1L3NTP1G]

lol i scrolled down and scrolled back up and there was a cat on the table.

[philochristos]

@S1L3NTP1G My cats are sneaky that way.

[antiprep1134]

Dude. I'm jealous of that middle earth poster. I know it's not related to the video lol but where'd you get it?

[philochristos]

@antiprep1134 A friend sent it to me a long time ago. I think she found it on the internet somewhere.

[808bubbleblow]

you have a cat?

[philochristos]

@808bubbleblow I have two cats.

[FallenFallRider]

Holy crap you have the exactly same looking backyard as my friend and also exactly where his shed is

[Cristlefrost]

lol the cat keeps making me laugh

[Spazzmazatastic13]

kitty!!

[motormx]

i have the same bandsaw but mine wont cut strait

[imperialcreedguard]

should wear eye protection man, but informative

[lewisjamesadams]

why do you keep pausing



[philochristos]

@lewisjamesadams That's just the kind of person I am.

[lewisjamesadams]

@philochristos that dosent make sense

[chrysagon200]

great vid :)

Question: the block of wood you use to sand the arrows? Was it a certain size drill bit you drilled in the block before you cut it? what size?

[philochristos]

@chrysagon200 I used a 3/8" drill bit, then shaved the corners a little so the sand paper would fit. One I cut it in half, I also ground both sides down a smidgen. The groove is really just so you can hold the sand paper and the arrow. It doesn't have to be any specific size.

[RWW124]

Cool. I was just reading the Traditonal Bowyers Bible Volume One, how do you spine your arrows?

[philochristos]

@RWW124 I made a spine tester from some plans I found on the internet a long time ago. I get my arrows matched by sanding in the middle to adjust spine and sanding near the ends to adjust weight.

[HubertHoratio]

What a well behaved cat to not be disturbed by the band saw noise!

[philochristos]

@HubertHoratio I guess they are used to it. They've been hearing it their whole lives.

[HumanZoo22]

this guy needs a woman in his life....

[Zaidmolina]

i like your cat! very nice cat ,, who wants arrows when you can have that cat

[viagro1980]

Can u tell me exactly what this thing is that looks like a pencil sharpener is on 4:05? and where i can get it?

[philochristos]

@viagro1980 That's a dowel maker. You can get it from Veritas Tools.

[rainmechanic]

I cant imagine why anyone would give this Vid a thumbs down.... people are messed up... Have you ever weighed these to find out how many grains ?... Lots of guys who hunt big game with traditional bows like really heavy arrows.... I think its awesome that you actually make the shaft itself...... THIS IS ACTUAL ARROW MAKING,

[philochristos]

@rainmechanic Why thank you! I did weigh them, but I can't remember how much they were.  Pretty heavy, though. Great penetration with a strong bow.

[TheWoodgeek]

really like what you did

[mtm101097]

really nice video and your webpage is very helpful:)

anywhere i could find the full video? thanks.

[philochristos]

No, I deleted it. Sorry.

[jasiucasic]

lol, you had an hour and 6 min long vid?? nice XD

nice vid btw, good ideas for making it round and all.

[KonaXC]

Do they fly well for you...by your last shot it looked as though your brace height might be a little high or low.

[philochristos]

They're kind of heavy, but otherwise they fly fine. Some people like heavy arrows. I made these out of walnut and maple because I got a lot of walnut flooring boards for free, and I'm cheap that way. I prefer a lighter arrow, though.

[fusionstar916]

@philochristos What wood is more heavy? walnut or maple? You can have custom weight forward arrows :).

[philochristos]

They're very close, and since different pieces of maple differ between each other in density, and walnut, too, it's possible that it could go either way. You could find a piece of walnut that is heavier than the same size piece of maple, and vice versa. Hard maple is probably the heaviest, but I think that on average, walnut might be a little heavier than maple.

[Kradoz]

Love the cat

[007380]

What was the name of the dail maker you have?

[philochristos]

It's the Veritas Dowel Maker from Lee Valley Tools. 3/8"

[robinhoodfromhun]

Hi! I make arrows almost on the same way. I srewed steel plate on a piece of wood, then I drilled them.Then I had to take off the plate to make a hole in the wood 0.5 mm bigger. I put back the plate.I made some mark on the hole of plate by Flex to make cutting edges.

Then I just use a drilling machine as you do.

[savageguy25]

just curious why not put the tips on the other end......would be easier to see the lighter colored wood if u miss

[philochristos]

That would work with these arrows since walnut and maple are both hard woods, but traditionally, you would put hardwood footings on the tip of softer shafts (like cedar) because arrows usually break at the tip, and the footing is meant to prevent that.

[savageguy25]

@philochristos oh alright that makes sense .....looks good man

[hitshitthefan]

i always thought it would be done on a lathe

[philochristos]

Arrows are too long and skinny to make on a lathe. It's possible, I'm sure, but not ideal. Of course the way I'm doing it isn't ideal either. Ideally, you'd have a nice router jig to make shafts out of.

[hitshitthefan]

yah i'm sure on the lathe it'd be way straiter off the bat but you'd prolly spend like 3 times as much time on a single shaft.

[savageguy25]

@hitshitthefan or huge pencil sharpiner in this case lol

[leslieckyle]

I need to make a 400 grain arrow. that is the requirement in my state do you know how to do increase the grain count

[philochristos]

I don't know how to increase the weight on an arrow that's already made except to put a heavier point on it.

[kno3ny]

what are the tips?

[philochristos]

They are 125 grain field points.

[kno3ny]

cool thanks

[karlwashere123]

I can make an arrow with my eyes closed but i would have never thought of making a tip like that.... Thanks alot...

[gswiaczny]

Wonderful cat, awesome poster of Middle Earth and really invormative vid. I made my arrows in simmilar way, but you showed a couple of nice tricks. Thanks a lot. Best regards, Greg :)

[kristapshel]

and i want ask wat is best wood in eu for bow?

[gswiaczny]

Yew. Did you heard about legendary English longbows? They were made out of yew :) But maple, ash or hazel are good too.

[kristapshel]

i look in google but i donnt fand normal plan

[kristapshel]

where i can get bow drawings? (in cm or milimeters)

[philochristos]

Google. You may have to do your own conversions. 1 inch = 2.54 cm

[kristapshel]

you are monster!!!

wat is bwst bow woods in eu?

where i can luck for bow dravings with measures?

please on cm or mm! :)

[philochristos]

I don't know what the best bow wood is in Europe. Maybe Yew, but yew is very expensive. You can also make bows out of oak and maple. They don't let you put url's in these comments, so just google "bow building," and you'll find lots of web pages about how to make bows.

[nathanr444]

it was kinda hard to under stand,

can you make another video in

 Part1, Part2....

[philochristos]

I don't plan to do any more videos on arrows, but I do plan to do a written build along at some point for my web page. It will have more detail than the video, so hopefully it will be easier to follow.

[nathanr444]

can i buy one from u?

[philochristos]

I don't have any to sell, and I don't know when I'll make some more.

[NRen2k5]

(continued)

It sounds as if I'll be putting together some arrows for one of my range buddies sometime in the near future.

After that I think I might try something a little fancier for my next set, like self nocks and/or wrapped fletching.

I have practically zero experience at woodwork so I think it'll be a while yet till I try footed shafts.

Thanks for making the site and videos, and again, very nice work.

[NRen2k5]

Very nice.

I finally made my own set of arrows (along with a couple of loaner sets for the group I shoot with) earlier this year. This was after having started making my own set about 5 years ago and having to leave a friend to finish them due to school and work.

Mine are simple enough; I basically just bought Hex Shafts, varnished and tapered them and glued on points, "speed nocks" and fletching I had bought here and there.

(continued)

[Sapphiregriffin]

I JUST NEED A TIP ON THE FEATHERS.....YEA AND I SHARPEN MY ARROWN WITH A SHARPENER.................I USE THESE STOR BOGHT WOOD stiks and the sharpen and then well done! for the bow i use a plastic pipe 1 1/2 inch in lenth or 1 inch or 1/2 inch.

[JohnTheRipper2]

WOW! i really like the spliced shafts! Although i admit they take a LOT of work, your arrows are one of the most beautiful ones i have ever seen!

[philochristos]

Thank you! :-)

[curveshooter]

Just wondering...how do you know if they are spined correctly after you make them, if you dont have a spine tester.

[philochristos]

I just didn't go into that much detail in this video. I would use a spine tester to test the spine. I plan to go into that when I do my written build along. Some people spine their arrows just by flexing them with their hands, and they can get pretty close that way.

[MrCemgok]

wait are you sam harper from tillertree

[philochristos]

Yes, although tillertree isn't my web page. I let the owner of that site post the articles from my web page.

[Septimus39]

What size dowel cutter do you use? I'm only seeing larger diameter sizes (3/8", 7/16" and 1/2") on the Veritas site, so I'm wondering what you do to attach tips and nocks. Thanks for all your articles and videos!

[philochristos]

I use the 3/8" dowel cutter and then spin sand the arrow down to size. My video shows how I attach my points and nocks.

[Durtyoleman]

Great website and video....keep us posted when you do the new site. My first bow would have been a disaster it not for your tips.

Thanx

D.O.M.

[cavemanss]

holy crap bad editting

[007BRANDEN]

where did you get the pencal sharpener

thing

[philochristos]

Three Rivers Archery

[slaphapyap]

Nice video-great editing. I make footed arrows from blanks the very same way! The bolt and 3/8" socket trick is genius. Thanks for showing that. I have been tapering one end of my blanks to fit in the drill chuck and buggering up a lot of shafts as a result. I like the look of the the light footing on a dark shaft.

[philochristos]

Maple and walnut is one of my favourite wood combinations. It looks good in arrows, bows, and chess boards.

[copacatoru]

& ya webpage is???

[philochristos]

youtube won't let me post url's. Just google sam harper board bow and it should be one of the first that comes up.

[picklehead7]

If you start with larger stock, split it and let it crack where it may, then use that as your new edge, you'll get straighter arrows.

Uses more stock but you get much better shafts that stay straight in any weather.

[hullbowyer]

I just made a batch of arrows using this method, came out brilliant except for a really rough cut on the surface of the slot, even with a brand new metal cutting blade.

Do you have the same problem? if not what blade do you use?

[picklehead7]

hullbowyer,

Reason your cut is rough is that your blade has some errant teeth. Some teeth are 'set' further off center than they should be. You can tune up a band saw blade by laying a sharpenning stone along the side (both) of the blade. This knocks off the extra, sharpens the blade and wrecks the stone. So use a part of the stone you never use for other tools/knives.

While you're at it, use the stone to round the back of the blade to keep wear down on the band saw.

[hullbowyer]

Wow, thanks. I was actually gonna try that but thought there'd be a chance it could ruin the bandsaw tyres (can't remember my reason now lol).

Thanks very much

[Dullfrog2]

Yeah, I'm almost 15 but the art of bow making has always caught my fancy. It started with pre-bent wood with rubber bands, to Walnut short bows. This will be my first attempt at a longbow, and i was going to use yew, but after what i heard about it, it would be better to save the wood and wait. I have a Sander, clamps, vice grips. Is any kind of wood glue ok? I think my dad may have a rasp at his office. Also, my last question, How much do bow string sell for?

[philochristos]

Bow strings average about $10, but you can get them cheaper on ebay. If you learn to make them, it costs about 50 cents per string, and I highly recommend that if you plan to make a lot of bows. Titebond is great for gluing on handles and cloth backings. You can glue on wood/bamboo backings with it, but you're better off with Urac which fills gaps. For fiberglass, you should use Smooth-On or Bowgrip.

[Dullfrog2]

How much did your Red oak bow cost to make?

[philochristos]

The stick of red oak costs about $6, I think. Then there's the cost of the Titebond, but one thing of Titebond can make many bows. And then the drywall tape, which is pretty cheap. Maybe $12 at the most. But if you count the cost of the string, the rasps, the sureform, or the band saw and belt sander, it gets more expensive.

[badassbye]

where did you get the dowel maker

[philochristos]

Veritas Tools

[dougbret]

i hate it u live with yo mom

[philochristos]

I appreciate the sympathy, but your concern is completely unfounded. My mom lives with my sister.

[rubenvaage]

awesome

[Kuroyino]

great! pretty ingenious!! =D!, nice way to make it froma square xD jeje, could U show us again how to put the stabilizers again??? ZNX!

[philochristos]

If by "stabilizers" you mean the outfeed holes on my dowel maker, that's much easier to do than to explain, but I will attempt to explain it when I get around to doing the written build-along for my web page.

[clix9977]

im not at all even close to being as good as this. i make my bows and arrows out of sticks.

[philochristos]

Maybe you need to get you a red oak board bow from Home Depot and make a bow out of that instead of a stick. It could change your life!

[jan1035]

Beautiful arrows man!!

[philochristos]

Thank you!

[tOaDs72]

Awesome alot of time put into those.Great job

[philochristos]

Thank you!

[KeAkA999]

hey i used your build along on red oak board bows and i made one. and it turned out pretty good, thanks!!

[philochristos]

You're welcome. I'm glad it worked out.

[whophead007]

hey i read your whole pahe on how to make a bow and how to make the string and the jig and everything. i really liked it and tryed it but my bow came out like crap... i think you should make videos on how to build a bow. like a series of videos. maybe 6 videos or so on how to build everything. just a thought. thanks.

[philochristos]

Yes, I should. Thanks for the suggestion.

[huricalderon]

hmmm. is cool video i am not have arrows XD

[dudefish556677]

lol im just like you but i have arrows not a bow XDDD

[orrymannen]

how did u get the arrow heads

[philochristos]

They are 125 grain field points I bought from Bucks and Ducks in Tyler, TX (which is going out of business), but you can get them from Three Rivers Archery.

[archeryfiend]

Hey Sam. Nice to see you finally acquired some tools!! And a garage. I was frustrated for you watching you build your longbow and boardbow. I'm a carpenter and an avid woodworker, so I know the value (and efficiency) of a decent assortment of tools. You're going to do some awesome stuff, I'm sure. Ferr-L-Tite isn't much different at all than the glue in a glue gun. It works the same way.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi. Looking forward to your future bows.

[philochristos]

Well, if Ferr-L-Tite is easier to use, maybe I should give it a try after all. Thanks for stopping by!

[archeryfiend]

I think the glue gun is easier to use personally. But give it a try. What's the worse that could happen?

Also, you might want to try Fletch Tite for your nocks. It's easier to use than 2-part epoxy and you'll waste less because it comes in a resealable tube. It drier clear and it's made just for nocks and applying feathers or vanes.

[philochristos]

Cody, so far I haven't had any of my tips come off. The glue gun seems to be working, it's cheaper, and it makes it easy to get the tips off if I need to. Thanks, though!

[woodbowman]

Sam I know your a smart person but I would stop useing that glue gun and get some Ferr-L-Tite it's only $ 3.00 and will stand up better then any thing and much better then that hot glue u nkow your making footed arrows why not use the right glue it would save u in the long run. heck I amy have sime I culd send u maybe for 4 or 6 of them raw footed arrows LOL. Take care Sam....

Cody R

[captaindan90]

whoops I posted twice, I thouhght the first one didn't work so I made a second, sorry I just realized that I know why you put the footings on the arrows.

[philochristos]

There are three different reasons a person might do footings. 1) to strengthen the arrow since most arrows break just behind the point. 2) to make it look really cool. 3) because my wood wasn't long enough.

[captaindan90]

You are quite amazing. I really enjoy your website and it has helped me a lot. Thanks for all the great information. I have used your guidelines to make a longbow of my own but I managed to break it and am currently trying to make an osage english long bow. I'm going to have to try to make some arrows like this though, where did you get that doul maker. (sorry I don't know how to spell doul..or whatever...)

[philochristos]

Thank you for your kind words. I got the dowel maker at Veritas Tools on the internet. You can google it. It's called a "dowel maker." They have a couple of different kinds. This is the cheaper one. You have to get the one that makes 3/8" dowels.

[captaindan90]

I have got to say that you have been a great help to me! Your website is pretty much my favorite ever. I have used your guidelines to try to make a longbow but sadly I managed to break it and am currently working on another. You are pretty much my hero for all this. I have a question though, what is the purpose of making the slits in the arrow and splicing the seperate piece of wood on? Thanks a lot and keep up the awesome work!

[mowwow1998]

Excellent video and some great innovative ideas, especialy the arrow shaft round sanding jig. I also love your website and the clear detailed explanations you provide on building the various bows, it has inspired me to give bow making a go. Keep up the great work and many thanks for sharing your ideas with us all.

[philochristos]

Hey, I inspired somebody to make a bow! Wahoo! Good luck with that!

[mureyaka]

That's cool job and look's very pro thx a lot man :)

[Soreloft]

Great video, sir! If you ever felt so inclined, i think it would be great to see the unedited footage in half a dozen parts, or whatever it would take. As i understand it, lots of people would be interested in a comprehensive, inclusive arrow making tutorial like this. You're an entertaining enough guy that an hour long video would still be entertaining =oP.

Very, very cool stuff. Thanks again.

[philochristos]

Thank you. I do plan to do a more comprehensive WRITTEN build along for my web page that will cover the same stuff in more detail. It'll have close up pictures and stuff that I wasn't able to put on the video.