Arrow spinning questions

[Drifterat]

Who spins thier arrows? What tool do you use? Is there a set distance between spinning points? When an arrow manufacturer says that the arrows straightness is .003, how is that measured? Over what length?

I've never spun an arrow until I built a spinner a few weeks ago. The bearings are set 16 inches apart and I'm amazed at how much run-out my arrows have.

Anyone have any thoughts on spinning arrows?

[Todd_ID]

I have the cheap one from Cabela's; I'd guess it's probably 10-11" between centers.  I, too, was amazed by the inconsistencies that showed up when I started.  You'll find that the ones that don't spin true with a broadhead won't fly worth a hill of beans.  I will monkey around between a 1/2 dozen arrows and broadheads trying to get the right combination so they'll all spin true before I ever even try and shoot them.  I don't know of any standard for measuring straightness, but there probably is from the AMA since all the manufacturers are putting their numbers in their advertising.  You'll find that the .006 arrows are hard to get any combination of broadheads to work with, and the .001 turns out to be worth the extra money, because you can use almost every arrow in a dozen instead of three or four of the .006's.  When checking broadheads, I generally keep the broadhead as close to the spinner as I can get it to balance in order to see the problems in the insert-ferrule interface instead of the inherent arrow problems due to straightness; this interface is more important than overall straightness, in my opinion.  Moving the arrow the other direction will point out any nock alignment issues; generally in a dozen top-end arrows I'll replace 2 or 3 nocks that won't spin quite right.

[nockbuster]

the .003 is from a 28" span.  I will all ways cut both ends of my arrows it help a lot.

[Drifterat]

Good points. I never thought of cutting both ends. I square up both ends with a G5 A.S.D., that is one nice tool. I haven't spun any with a broadhead yet, but I'm sure it will make a huge difference to find the right combonations.

I wonder what a bowshop would say if you wanted to spin the arrows before you bought them? From what I'm seeing if you buy some arrows made in America you'll need to buy 20% more to get straight ones. Made in Korea here I come... 

[Todd_ID]

Just order 3 dozen from Cabelas, spin them, keep the best dozen, and return the rest.  Probably work, and you'd get a dozen perfect arrows.

[IronMike]

I spin all my own arrows, unfortunately with a 33" draw, I can get about 8 or 9 out of a dozen to fly straight if I'm lucky. I cut down the rest for my son. There's something to be said for tuning your own equipment, only you know how it reacts when shooting.

[xXx Archery]

I spin all my own arrows, unfortunately with a 33" draw, I can get about 8 or 9 out of a dozen to fly straight if I'm lucky. I cut down the rest for my son. There's something to be said for tuning your own equipment, only you know how it reacts when shooting.

WOW sucks to be you...lol
for you, you need .001 arrows

[IronMike]

I spin all my own arrows, unfortunately with a 33" draw, I can get about 8 or 9 out of a dozen to fly straight if I'm lucky. I cut down the rest for my son. There's something to be said for tuning your own equipment, only you know how it reacts when shooting.

WOW sucks to be you...lol
for you, you need .001 arrows

Yeah, Tell me about it.  I'm still looking for a manufacturer that makes a 36" blank shaft so I can get what I need to shoot comfortably. 

[Todd_ID]

I spin all my own arrows, unfortunately with a 33" draw, I can get about 8 or 9 out of a dozen to fly straight if I'm lucky. I cut down the rest for my son. There's something to be said for tuning your own equipment, only you know how it reacts when shooting.

WOW sucks to be you...lol
for you, you need .001 arrows

Yeah, Tell me about it.  I'm still looking for a manufacturer that makes a 36" blank shaft so I can get what I need to shoot comfortably. 

Most of us call them fishing poles at that length!

[MIKEXRAY]

I don't have a real spinner but I do spin them ( roll them ) on my granite bar in the kitchen. It is the perfect width & really shows you the imperfections. If they roll sweet on the granite they are good to spin test with a broadhead. Two years ago I started buying the .001 straightness arrows also and will testify to the better accuracy achieved all around with those arrows. I usually only find 2 out of 12 that I wouldn't use instead of half of them with less straightness. Between my granite test & spinning with broadheads , I get pretty sweet arrow / broadhead combos out of the set. I might get a real spinner some day. Mike