I've been shooting a Longbow for about 4 weeks now and I'm having a blast to say the least. A good friend of mine offered to teach me the art of arrah makin today and I took him up on it. I stopped by the local lumber yard and picked up some 1x8 poplar boards. We cut into 1/2" pieces and proceeded to turnum into dowels. I cut about 30 of um and then spine checked um. Spined at 35# when I needed 55#. So much for arrah making. Hopefully I'll get the right wood next time. This trad stuffs real cool.
What was the final diameter of the shafts?? I've never used poplar myself but I know a lot of people love it and they don't have any trouble getting the needed spine. I would bet that you probably made them a little too small in diameter. Just my guess.
As a rule of thumb, in soft woods like poplar you will get your needed spine in 11/32 or 23/64 diameter. In some of the hardwoods, you may get your needed spine in 5/16 diameter.
Have fun.
watcha gonna do with the 35# shafts? Im looking for a batch? I will buy or trade. Let me know.