Golf tubes come in different sizes.
For this method to work, you need to use the narrow tubes that have
an inner circumference that fits the bottle caps.
The bottle caps should come from
soda bottles (20 oz, 1 liter and 2 liter). Caps from bottled water
usually have a lip and will not fit down into the tube properly.
The pipe insulation or a similar
polyethylene substance is to be used to stuff the tube to give it
some body. DO NOT use Styrofoam or spray foam. Both will break down
into small particles or dust and pose an eye hazard.
Prepare the Golf Tube
Cut the Tube to Length, adding an additional 1/2”
to be trimmed later.
I cut mine to 26 ˝” but your shafts may be a maximum
of 28”. Make sure not to cut off the end with the reinforced
ring.
Place one bottle cap into the end with the reinforced ring.
Glue is not necessary as the cap fits snugly into this end
and it will eventually be held on by the string securing the
tennis ball.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Cut the pipe insulation to short lengths – about 2”
to 3”. Longer lengths are difficult to work with. See
figure 1.
Using the dowel rod, stuff the lengths of pipe insulation
into the tube. Compress as much as you see fit. More insulation
will help keep the body of the arrow intact during battle
but will add some weight. See figure
2.
Keep stuffing the insulation into the tube until there is
just enough room for the bottle cap and the extra ˝”.
Drill four holes in the end of the tube against the reinforced
ring and through the bottle cap. These holes will be used
later to attach the tennis ball. See
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prepare the Nock
Take the other bottle cap and drill several
small holes into the top. These holes and the hot glue will
hold the bottle cap in place later. See
Figure 4.
Cut two V’s into the bottle cap. See
Figure 5.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Using an emery board or some sandpaper, round over the edges
of the V’s. This will help reduce wear and tear on your
bowstrings.
Attach the Nock
Place a generous amount of hot glue into the end of your
tube.
Press the nock down into the tube, allowing the hot glue
to ooze up through the holes. Do not press too hard because
you want some of the glue to stay under the nock.
Smooth the glue out. I use a long thin nail to both set
the nock and smooth the glue
Figure 6
Set the shaft with the nock end up somewhere to cool.
Allow the glue to cool and set before going on to the next
step.
Once the glue is cool, trim the excess tube and cut out
the V’s. You may place a length of duct tape around
the nock end for added support but it is not necessary. See
Figure 6
Attach the Tennis Ball
Cut a piece of string to approximately 1 yard (3’).
Thread the string through the holes in the tube.
Place a Tennis Ball on the end of the tube.
Tighten the string and tie off around the shaft or on the
lower part of the ball. The knot may not be on any part of
the ball that may strike your target. See
Figures 7 and
Figure 7
Figure 8
Use the strapping tape to secure the string around the tube.
Place two lengths of strapping tape over the ball along
the strings, crossing on the top of the ball. See
Figure 9.
Use strapping tape to wrap the end of the tube and secure
the string and two lengths of strapping tape over the ball.
See Figure 10.
Cover the ball with red duct tape. All that is required
is a red X but I usually cover the whole thing.
I use another color of duct tape to cover the strapping
tape for esthetics. See Figure 11.
Place your name somewhere on the arrow and you’re
done.
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
For Crossbow Bolts
Cut the shaft shorter. Make sure to measure the channel
in your crossbow and cut accordingly.
When preparing the nock, do not drill holes or cut a V.
Secure the bottle cap into the nock end upside down so the
top is pointing outward. Glue into place with the hot glue.
Once the glue has set, take your knife and scratch the top
of the cap to make it rough so the string won’t slip
off when shooting.
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