How To: Installing Inserts In A Carbon Shaft

Tools and supplies needed for inserts and points as well as unibushings.

Taper tools for carbon and aluminum arrows. These are attached to my cut off saw.

I have been asked this question numerous times over the years and thought that I would share this step in arrow making .

After using a high speed cutoff saw to ensure a precise cut without splintering you will need to prepare the shaft.

To do this you will need to obtain this high tech gear.

• Denatured Alcohol (you can find this at any hardware store)
• QTips
• Taper tool

You need to smooth the edges of the cut with the taper tool. Most good cut off saws have these attached. If not you can purchase one separately.

After smoothing pour a little alcohol into a small container about the size of a bottle cap. Take a QTip and insert one end into the alcohol and then use that end to insert into the arrow shaft about 1" to 1 1/2" inside and clean the dust from the walls.

Remove and moisten the other end and repeat. That should do it. Now your ready to insert an insert or target point.

There are several methods for doing this. Most preferred is 2 part epoxy. Mix well and apply liberally to the point or insert. Slide it down inside the shaft until it stops flush. Now take a clean rag or thick paper towel and wipe the excess from the arrow.

At this point I always stand the arrow up with the point down on the table and lean the nock end against the wall. This will keep the point from sliding out.

If you choose to use a fast adhesive such as super glue or AAE fastset gel. Follow the same procedure only do it faster!

I am a fan of hot melt glue. This stuff is typically heated over an alcohol lamp until melted and then applied to the point or insert. After installing just wipe away excess and lean against the wall.

There is 2 downsides to the hot glue application. One being that if you use to much heat and insert it into a carbon shaft it will cause damage. Remember that carbon is formed under a heating process. Too much and it will bend or crease.

The second downside of hot glue is when you shoot into a foam animal and the application of glue was not even and thick, you will lose the point in the target. The heat generated on the way in will be enough to allow the point to blow out when the arrow comes to a quick stop. A little Woody's arrow lube will help to prevent this.

You are asking why would anyone do this, because when you are paying $1.50 per point and have a broken arrow it's nice to be able to apply a little heat and remove it to use in another arrow. Just call me cheap.

There are times when removing an insert from one shaft to use in another would save a trip to the archery store, right? Well you make the call. Epoxy is for life and super glue can be removed with great effort but usually results in a warped or broken shaft.

Good Luck.