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This is a companion to my How to Make a Red Oak Pyramid Bow. After all, you don't want to be shooting carbon fiber or aluminum from a traditional style bow.



 
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Step 1: Shafts

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The first thing you'll need are some bamboo shafts.  These are available at Lowe's (or other big box stores) as garden stakes. I prefer Lowe's simply because they sell them individually and I can pick through and get the best.

When selecting them, look for reasonabley straight 4 foot stakes about 3/8ths inches in diameter.  They should still have a shiny yellow appearance, if they are faded and grey, pass them up.




Imcrazydude says: Apr 30, 2013. 5:01 PM
How well do these fly and what's the spin
justinusmc says: Jan 10, 2013. 12:19 AM
great job but don't you need to heat treat the boo to.make it more durable
tech hamster1101 says: Dec 23, 2012. 11:58 AM
awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheAmateurArtisan says: Dec 13, 2012. 7:34 PM
How long do these hold up? and do they degrade in storage? I'd hate to make such great arrows and then leave them over the winter to die.
iacchus says: Nov 9, 2012. 6:06 AM
Good job on both the bow & arrow instructables. If you cut your slot longer & glued 1/8th piece of softer wood, ie; softer than bamboo to act as a shock absorber for the broadhead, I wonder if that would help prevent splitting?
The Pendragon says: Oct 7, 2012. 6:47 PM
Thankyou this is very imformative. I have make arrows and the hardest part has always been the head.
SeeJacobInstruct says: Sep 4, 2012. 3:41 PM
What can I use if I don't have a red tube heater thing? How hot does the heat need to be?
QSDR says: Jul 21, 2012. 10:05 PM
ive had some success with these style arrows, i used store bought knocks though. and depending on the weight/ shape/material of arrowhead, i had to place counter weights (electrical wire wound) along shaft
ethiran says: Feb 27, 2012. 2:05 AM
where you get arrowheads,i'm in philippines.
ERP1 says: Nov 15, 2011. 2:45 PM
I,m new to this. Do you purchase your broadheads?
hrodriguez7 says: Oct 12, 2011. 5:57 PM
how much does it cost to make
anibioman says: Jul 5, 2011. 10:53 PM
in order for the arrow to fly in a proper arc around how much should the arrow head weigh? btw great instructable.
fuzvulf says: May 17, 2011. 10:58 PM
nice one. Thanks. A strong 4 out of 5. Sorry I missed this when it was first posted.
bob_da_builder in reply to fuzvulfJun 17, 2011. 3:38 AM
how will these possibly fly straight? just asking>_>
meburnfire says: Mar 24, 2011. 1:32 PM
Tool, can you send the template to me? Like post it on a link on Mediafire. If you can, thank you.
Tool Using Animal (author) in reply to meburnfireMar 25, 2011. 10:49 AM
I don't have a template, you can make one in two seconds with a compass.

Draw circle, pick a point on the circumference, draw another circle, continue around the original circle placing the point of the compass where the lines intersect.
meburnfire in reply to Tool Using AnimalMar 25, 2011. 2:15 PM
Oh. Thanks, Tool
spenfisher12 says: Aug 28, 2010. 9:53 PM
you should wrap just above the knock with string to make it stronger just a thing
Tool Using Animal (author) in reply to spenfisher12Aug 29, 2010. 8:36 AM
That's always good advice, which is covered in the fletching step. ;-)
tigerbomb8 says: Aug 12, 2010. 2:05 AM
(removed by author or community request)
Tool Using Animal (author) in reply to tigerbomb8Aug 12, 2010. 1:36 PM
ALLCAPS?

If a modicum of intelligence is used there is little danger. It certainly wouldn't hurt for people to spine their arrows, but I prefer to just shoot and cull the bad ones.

You do realize that people have been shooting bamboo arrows for thousands of years? And that many people still do.

Since you have such little faith in my instructable, I suggest you spend some time at Paleoplanet, where I originally learned to make them.

BTW, I went out and shot the red white and blue arrow from this instructable into my standard cardboard box full of cardboard boxes I use as a back stop.

On shot fifteen the head worked loose,
On shot twenty the shank for the broadhead bent.
Since my string was fraying and needs replacing I stopped there.
The arrow was fine.
tigerbomb8 in reply to Tool Using AnimalAug 13, 2010. 12:33 AM
what bow do you use
Tool Using Animal (author) in reply to tigerbomb8Aug 13, 2010. 7:19 AM
http://www.instructables.com/id/Red-Oak-Pyramid-Bow/
Tool Using Animal (author) in reply to Tool Using AnimalAug 12, 2010. 1:37 PM
Oh yes, one more thing. "SHOOT AT YOUR OWN RISK" Always, I'm not responsible for anything you, or anyone else does.
tim_n in reply to tigerbomb8Aug 12, 2010. 6:47 AM
You spent three years trying bamboo arrows before coming to the conclusion they were a poor subsitute for modern arrows? Good going, I'd have given up after 10 minutes... Meantime I've used them plenty on low tensioned bows, you get the occasional one split, but they'll only snap if you sit on them.
tigerbomb8 in reply to tim_nAug 13, 2010. 12:33 AM
i have been doing archery for 3 years my bow is 60 pound they snap very quickly
oldanvilyoungsmith says: Aug 11, 2010. 4:02 PM
does that sticker say "Obamo O's?" Any way, nice ible, your bow ible as well as this one has been giving me ideas. (my mom hates it when this happens)
Tool Using Animal (author) in reply to oldanvilyoungsmithAug 11, 2010. 4:04 PM
top "Fairchild Tropical Garden middle Obama 08, bottom Instructables.
SinAmos says: Aug 11, 2010. 2:56 PM
Let the killing begin. Haha. Love it.
firefletcher says: Aug 10, 2010. 12:50 PM
Awesome, I need feathers though.... Maybe i'll go look for some tomorrow!
seolfor says: Aug 10, 2010. 10:14 AM
Well done, sir! I have seen your ible on the pyramid bow, too, and these are both fantastic.
(YOUR N says: Aug 10, 2010. 9:14 AM
cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nanosec12 says: Aug 10, 2010. 8:20 AM
your 'whipping' looks really good. do you know of an instrucible on how to do it, or could you perhaps 'whip' one up to go along with this 5 of 5 'ible?
red-king says: Aug 10, 2010. 5:28 AM
I'll have to go get some bamboo stakes....
Ninzerbean says: Aug 10, 2010. 4:31 AM
This is so well documented, your instructions are great.
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