Most accurate arrows - First bend Indexing your arrows

[@bbmas1930]

I think this method will find your weak axis very well. But, that does not necessarily mean that the stiff spine is 180 degrees opposite. ie the weak spine (outside convex of the arrow) might not be changed much at all by the stiff spine (which is in compression in the concave) hiding 10-15 degrees off the centreline. I've seen plenty of people say that you can find the spine on a 32 inch arrow but cut down by 3 inches, the spine will be in a different spot. This suggests that the spine is not a straight axis at all and more than likely twists around the arrow. Construction eg whether it is spun fibres, 45 degree weave, 90 degree weave or rolled would have a big impact. This probably also explains why some arrows in a batch spin CW and some CCW off the same bow - a combination of a twisted spine and whether the spine was just left of centre when shot or right of centre and it trying to tip into a weak plane much like it does in the press, initiating a spin direction. So I still do this test but at the cut length of the arrow and try to confirm by rolling the arrow, that the stiff side is in fact opposite the weak. Just my two cents

[@adambacker8178]

interesting, your way is so much simpler than my idea to use two case ballbearings, one either end and apply a weight in middle. Theory was weakest side would bend straight down to gravity.

[@johnstallone1916]

nice out the box thinking

[@andrewkirkpatrick8314]

Very nice... consistency is the key.

[@loyang7015]

i was doing it same way except i was using a long hand clamp got from menard. got most my bolts mark down. refletch one so far. will do few more and test them out to see if all hitting same spot or close

[@pennyontrack]

Thanks

[@SeaPro360]

Do you square your arrows first? I could see this being VERY dependent on a square edged arrow.

[@johnstallone1916]

Yes definitely need to square first

[@geraldkoch394]

I never knew that, thanks

[@tombaker2523]

I like the way you index your arrow but you said something about up down left or right as long as the arrows all shoot the same I don't think that is correct because a compound bow has to be either 12 or 6 o'clock because the riser is off set taking the archers paradox out of the equation besides the chance of the arrow making any contact with the bow at launch, a traditional bow you have archers paradox making the arrow bend around the bow so you would want the weak spine facing the riser making the arrow bend around the bow easier thought I would share that with you anyway keep building good work and thanks for sharing

[@captainjoesanglingadventur4894]

What is Archers Paradox?

[@jerryburnham972]

I found my arrow spine stiffness by putting my arrow on my Hornady pocket scale on a level surface. Putting the F.O.C. measurement in the center of the scale, and the arrow will roll on the scale base and it will roll back an forth and then it will come to a stop. The stiff side of the spine will be on top. I've tried this with and without field points and broadheads. Same spot every time. I then align my nock to the stiff side. I load my arrow in my bow with the stiff spine pointing downward. This way when I release the arrow the spine will deflect the arrow upwards. I did this with all 12 of my arrows. They hit exactly in the same spot every time.

[@cjr4497]

Fishing rod makers bend their blanks as well to find the spine so that they put the eyes on the correct side. They just hold one end in their hand and roll the other on a flat surface. Bending from the ends is all you need to do for an arrow as it gives you the average over the length of the shaft. I saw a video of a guy using a spine tester to double check the spine alignment marks on a dozen Victory arrows. There were a few in the batch that didn't match up so he marked their spine based on his own results. Well, those arrows tore badly in paper, and the factory marked ones tore properly. That is because with a spine tester you can't test from the absolute ends of the shaft.

[@chrisochoa1222]

Have you compared this against just using a spine indexer?

[@johnstallone1916]

Yes I have. I have found using the press doesn't always indicate what the stiffest spine is but where the arrow will bend. Which is more important than the spine. My go to before this process was to use a RAM spine tool, this is an affective way to get more accuracy but it doesn't always indicate where the arrow will bend while its leaving your bow which affects the impact more so then anything. The more consistently you can get your arrows leaving the bow the same way the less likely you will have to knock tune and the better groups you will experience

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

I tried this because it does make sense. However, i got inconsistent results. I could get multiple results for the same arrow.

[@kenferguson2095]

Will this work for crossbow bolts

[@kenferguson2095]

Ive just recently tried this with xbow bolts black eagle executioner. 001, i had 5 out of 10 bend consistently the same way eg first bend to the side rotated the bolt bend went to the side etc to find if it bent consistently in the same place , those i marked and fletched cock vane on the upward bend, the other 5 bent the same direction no matter how many times i rotated the bolt give or take a few degrees either way, so my question is are the inconsistent bolts bad or what are they doing.

[@jblaze114]

did this to my current dozen arrows and there are no more flyaways. all arrows are as accurate as i can be

[@MrShysterme]

I have the same press. What did you use to make the indentations? Dremel?

[@JohnStallone-hunting-podcast]

I just took an awl and a mallet

[@Pattyboybx]

Any way of doing this without a bow press ?

[@JohnStallone-hunting-podcast]

unfortunately either a bow press or a spine tool which is just as expensive

[@nateb4543]

@@JohnStallone-hunting-podcast Damn. There's gotta be a way for those of us who are crafty

[@johnstallone1916]

@@nateb4543 I suppose if you built a super large vise and were able to make it so the arrow stayed perfectly level and straight you could achieve the same results could be dangerous though

[@nateb4543]

@@johnstallone1916 after a few more videos I'm thinking 2 points of contact and a hanging weight. Then rotate arrow and look for it to move up and mark accordingly. Does having the spine in the same spot on all arrows negate being able to nock tune? I keep hearing to line the spine with the cock vane but I'm running 4 vanes. Any tips? Thanks for the reply!

[@1Reddogroad]

easy peasy... bar clamp or pipe clamp. get 'em at Menard's

[@TheRandyxx75]

I would ask if the arrow isn't just bending to it's natural bend ?

[@karlweiby2307]

This is a great process and all, but I’d be curious how many people can actually shoot good enough to notice a difference when there arrows flex the same way coming off the bow. 🤷‍♂️

[@JohnStallone-hunting-podcast]

can you feel when your car goes 1mph faster probably not but going 1mph still gets you there quicker right

[@nateb4543]

Not me! But I'm trying anways

[@greekmaster1001]

Great idea.....what I would also do is when it's in the bend position hang something not to heavy in middle of the arrow so the Bend will always be downward so you can mark always perfectly

[@shanesullivan7825]

You clearly don’t understand what he’s doing

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

Do any pros do this? Ive only seen them spine index , static and dynamic

[@johnstallone1916]

yes there are a few that i am aware of