I'm looking to buy the following tools within the next week. What's your recommendations for the good ones to get for the following if they don't pop up over on the classifieds for me:
- Cresting lathe - has anyone beat the SpinRite models yet for function? I know the Spin Rite ones are pricey but they also used to be the king for adjustability and controlling wobble in shafts.
- Spin Testers - basic tools, I know but are there any that do a better job than the others. My last one was a DIY job from ABEC-9 skate bearings that I was given and it's since grown legs. I'd do another DIY one but those bearings are almost as much as a commercial tester so why bother with the project?
- Spine Tester - I know I can hang a weight and measure defection with calipers. I'd like something a little easier with a built in scale or what not so I can also spin the shafts and locate the stiff spines without a bunch of fiddling. I personally only shoot carbons but I do occasionally make arrows for friends with wood or aluminum so ideally I'd like it to work with all shafting materials.
Thanks in advance.
I use the Spinrite almost all the time. I also have a Phillips but don't know if they are still out there. Either one for woods would be my first choice.
I don't own a spin tester, I use my crester. I have the Don Adams spine tester. It works well enough for personal use.
If your doing woods you probably could use one of the straightening tools, I have one of the roller kind and a shaft tamer. I used to use the hook as well. A heat gun can be useful for straightening as well.
Quote from: M60gunner on July 08, 2020, 10:22:05 PM
I don't own a spin tester, I use my crester. I have the Don Adams spine tester. It works well enough for personal use.
Never thought about that, but I bet that would work quite well.
I bought an Arizona arrow straightener years ago for about $75, which I thought was a lot of money at the time. This incorporates a spin tester, and I love it. Before I recommended one, I thought I'd check to see if they still make them, which they do. But the price! I'll let you check that out foe yourself. Suffice it to say that I'm going to take good care of mine! I sure wouldn't want to have to replace it.
If you anticipate making any arrows with self nocks, you might want to get a jig that allows you to cut uniform notches in the shaft.
On the Spinrite website there are a few videos he made on using the crester for checking arrow straightness, cap painting shafts besides cresting. He shows how to hook up a dial indicator if you want shafts that straight.