How to Make Arrows Out of Metal

Arrows with metal arrow shafts, such as aluminum, are strong and less likely to break than arrows with wood shafts. An archer can construct arrows using metal arrow tubing at home with the proper materials and equipment. Constructing your own arrows will arrow you to customize them to your liking. Arrows shafts can be constructed using colored anodized metal or you can decorate the shafts with vinyl arrow wraps. Arrows can be further customized with different shaped and colored fletching and various arrowheads and nocks.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Metal arrow tubing
  • Arrow saw
  • Arrow square
  • Arrow inserts
  • Insert epoxy
  • Insert installation tool
  • Arrow fletching
  • Fletching jig
  • Fletching glue
  • Arrow nocks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine arrow length. Measure the distance from the nock point, when the bowstring is drawn completely to about 3/4 inch past the end of the bow rest.

    • 2

      Cut the arrow shafts to the determined length.

    • 3

      Set the cut arrow tubing in the arrow square. Square the cut ends of the tubing and clean up any metal filings.

    • 4

      Glue the arrow inserts into one end of each arrow shaft. Place a small bit of epoxy on the end of each insert and press it into the arrow shaft with the insert installation tool. Allow the epoxy to set for 24 hours.

    • 5

      Attach the arrow fletching. Adjust the fletching jig, placing the clamp about 3/4 inch from the open end of the arrow shaft. Set the fletching in the jig clamp and place a thin line of fletching glue on the base of the fletching. Glue the fletching on the shaft and allow the glue to set. Repeat on the remaining fletchings.

    • 6

      Push the arrow nocks into the fletching end of the arrow shafts and align the nock with the bowstring.

    • 7

      Connect the arrowheads to the inserts.