I just wondered if anyone else uses one of the Veritas dowel cutters to make arrows with? I just got 26 3 foot shafts from a 6 dollar poplar board. Pretty cost effective. I do wish it came in 11/32 instead of 3/8 though.

I THINK Bob Rowlands uses one to make his shafts. He will be along in a little while.

I’ve read where you can adjust the blade a bit to get 11/32”. I keep threatening to buy one of those, but haven’t pulled the trigger,(or in this case dropped the string) yet.

should be easy enough to make one, depending on who there made.

Bob

My wife and I made these using the 3/8 dowel maker. I like starting with 3/8 so that I can sand them down to the spine/weight that we need.

I'm close to try making my own shafts. I'll be using ash , and I made a jig that can make them from a 1/2 square strip into 7/16 dowels. I can go down by 1/64 at a time as needed to get the spine I need. It will be fun if it works , and if it doesn't, it will be fun too. Should it work , I have plans to barrel taper them to bring the weight down and make them recover faster. Spine is everything, weight is secondary.

I don't have the individual doweler, so no comment.

I have the two plane version of that tool. I've probably made a thousand shafts with mine, so the tool paid for itself long ago. The enjoyment factor is way up there for me so the cost isn't a consideration. If you just like working fast and efficient and have the money, buy the tool.

Youtube

Bob I haven't seen the 2 plane version, what model is that?

Todd, I could adjust it to cut 11/32, but the exit feed is 3/8 so there is no way to prevent wobble, thus variation. I believe they could be designed to have an adjustable exit using different sized bushings. I know I could take mine to a machine shop and have it bored and sleeved to 11/32 for just a few bucks.

Bruce, copy and paste:

Veritas Dowel- Maker Lee Valley Tools

The tool features two fully adjustable blades set in tandem. The first plane hogs off the bulk of the blank and the second refines it to final size. Keep the blades honed and you'll get smooth shafts with 'no' tear out, and very little loss. You'll also need the 3/8ths insert. The shaft diameter is fully adjustable between 5/16ths and 3/8ths. I set mine slightly wide and spin sand to exact spine.

Watching those 1/2" x 1/2" rips emerge as perfect arrow shafts is very addictive. Tool quality is 'A'. Highly recommended. $219.

Couple other things. You need to spin the blank into the tool with a 2500 rpm HS drill. A 1/2 x 1/2 Jacobs chuck compatible driver is included. You learn the feed rate by feel.

Also, the blanks will work at 36", but that's the absolute shortest for standard length arrows. Anyway there you go. Good luck.

I've been strongly tempted to spring for the two blade version of the doweler but haven't been able to get past the price. At least so far!

The 3/8" unit has worked well for me and sanding down to size or various tapers has been very effective.

It definitely needs some work in the set up. Veritas illustrates simply clamping it down and go but that didn't produce good results for me.

I'll try to find a picture of what I ended up with after trial and error as well as studying what others have done.

So my doc walks into the exam room, greets me, and 15 minutes later I owe him $500. Plus I wasn't in there having any fun either. :D

Yeah, and the "doc" didn't get the $500 bucks either. He probably ended up with about 50.

Bob I didn't even know they made that system, this is the one I bought.

My visit cost $500. How it's divvied up is irrelevant. Was it worth it? Damn straight the doc saved my life.

Keeping the blade well honed is gonna be key on that doweler.

Two blade Veritas Doweler plus insert is ~$250 now. I paid ~$160 in 2004. My view from 47 years of daily tool use at work is, if you need it, buy it. If it improves your productivity and is a pleasure to use, the cost is soon forgotten.

From a number of vids that I have seen on YT, it seems that several folks needed more of the "anti-whip" set-ups? Maybe THAT is just me? GOOD HUNTING & BLESSED BE!

Batman, you got it. Antiwhip is needed. Any whipping that happens with the basic 3/8" doweler gets transferred to the cutting area of the blade and creates uneven diameters along the length. It's also important to maintain high and even speed of the spinning blank as well as a slow and consistent input speed.

The pictures here show what I ended up with after experimenting a little and checking out the methods used by others. So, this is definitely not my own independent creation!

Originally the outfeed was captured by holes drilled in the blocks that hold the pex tubing but that required guidance from a gloved hand to direct the shaft into the holes. The pex tube eliminated that need. This system is effective even with stock up to seven feet long (atlatl darts).

Made this from an old set of oak bathroom fixtures. Other than the doweler, investment is about $3.

Yes you absolutely need an outfeed tube (or vee block guides) to prevent whip. I made a very simple outfeed tube jig, that's a few inches shorter than the doweled shaft, and just clamp it to the bench behind the doweler.

Excellent and a great thread! I am inspired!

Matthew

Do it. You 'll always have plenty of arrows. I have dozens in several spines, because of buying that doweler.

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