Rütger's SCA Combat Archery Folio

Making Siloflex Arrows With Fletchings

Specifications

This write up describes the construction of Siloflex arrows for Heavy Fighting in the Middle Kingdom. These arrows meet the specifications detailed in the following documents.
(a)	SCA Missile Combat Rules (supplement to the SCA Marshal's Handbook), not dated
(b)	The Middle Kingdom Armored Combat Marshal's Handbook (Section 5), version 8.02
(c)	Middle Kingdom, Missile Combat Changes, Updates and Notices, July 4th, 2003
(d)	Middle Kingdom, Missile Combat Changes, Updates and Notices, August 1st, 2001
(e)	Middle Kingdom, Missile Combat Changes, Updates and Notices, July 25th, 2001
(f)	Master Erik's Siloflex Fletch Design, Approved March 24th, 2004

Requirements

Supplies

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		[The following supplies are for 40 arrows.]
-	Siloflex Tubes (100 psi Siloflex, 1" inner diameter, 5 foot long): 20
		[Siloflex comes in 100' coils and 5' straight tubes (less common). Straightening the coiled Siloflex is not easy, and is not covered herein. The coils are available at many home supply stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.). The straight tubes are a special order item, and are not commonly available from the manufacturer. If the straight tubes are available, buy them, as they are by far the best option.]
-	Rubber Stoppers (#6.5): 40
		[See the note below discussing rubber stoppers.]
-	Closed Cell Foam:		If 1/2" thick - about 200 square inches If 3/8" thick - about 200 square inches If 1/4" thick - about 300 square inches
		[Most of the closed cell foam which is sold as 1/2" in thickness is actually about 3/8" to 7/16" thick. Be sure to measure the actual thickness of the foam before using it.]
-	Craft Foam (2mm thick): 3-4 sheets
		[This assumes each sheet is at least 9"x12". Any color foam may be used. Thin leather may be used in place of craft foam.]
-	Jute Twine (maximum 1/8" diameter): 1 ball
		[Do not use nylon twine. It is slippery and knots will tend to come untied.]
-	Strapping Tape (1" wide): 1 roll
-	Duct Tape:	Required: Red, clear, and at least one other color (typically silver or black) As Desired: Silver, black, yellow, white, blue, green, purple, or other [Clear packing tape may be substituted for clear duct tape.]
-	Identification Labels: 40
		[Download the file in the Files section (below). Refer to the text for instructions on making these labels.]

Arrow making supplies

A Note About Stoppers.

Stoppers come in two types (laboratory and wine-making) and two forms (solid and drilled). Laboratory stoppers are made of hard black rubber. These stoppers are not suitable for making arrows. Wine-making stoppers are made of a softer, white rubber. These stoppers are the proper ones to be used for making arrows. Solid stoppers are just that, they have no holes in them. This type of stopper requires preparation before they may be used on arrows. Two holes must be drilled through the sides of such a stopper (the procedure is explained later). These holes allow the stopper to be securely fastened to the Siloflex tube. The holes are not trivial to drill, and require a good bit of time to prepare. Drilled stoppers come with a hole drilled vertically (top to bottom) through the stopper. This hole is approximately 3/8" in diameter in the wine-making stoppers. These stoppers require no preparation, and are easy to use for arrow making. Recommended stoppers for use in arrow making are drilled wine-making stoppers. Solid wine-making stoppers are also acceptable, although they will require significantly more work to prepare.	Solid laboratory stoppers (Not suitable for arrows)
	Solid wine-making stoppers (Adequate for arrows)
	Drilled wine-making stoppers (Recommended for arrows)

Tools

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-	Saw
-	Utility knife
-	Scissors
-	Needle nose pliers
-	Tape measure
-	Ruler
-	Rubber mallet
-	Drill with 7/32" drill bit & 1/4" forstner or coring bit   [Forstner / coring bit is needed if using solid stoppers.]
-	Dremel Tool w/ cutting disks (optional)
-	Eye protection (needed if using a Dremel Tool)
-	Leather work needle with about 1' of gut or heavy thread
-	Medium sized awl or screwdriver
-	Pencil

Arrow making tools

Templates

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	[Download the file with these templates in the Files section below.]
-	Fletching Template
-	Foam Arrow Head Template
		[or use a 1-1/2" diameter cookie or biscuit cutter]
	Fletching and head foam templates    Templates and head foam cutter Warning Different browsers and different computers may display these templates other than at the intended sizes. Measure any printed versions of the templates before using.

Files

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The downloadable file (arrows.zip) is a zipped file containing the following three files:

arrows-templates.gif	-	A GIF graphic of the two templates; 1) fletching for 2-1/2" slot and 2) 1-1/2" arrow head.
arrows-id-labels.doc	-	A Microsoft Word file formatted for making Identification Labels.
arrows-id-labels.xls	-	A Microsoft Excel file formatted for making Identification Labels.

Download arrows.zip (11K).

Acknowledgments

Before launching into the construction of arrows, a few thanks are in order to those who helped in arrow develoment.

• Gwenith verch Albrecht, Isidore Potepherach of Kemet, and Aribeth, for giving the arrows extensive tests during the Shire's weekly Fighter Practices. They launched many of the arrows well over one hundred times at wooden targets and fighters dumb enough to stand down range.
• Konrad Ryman, who was the first fighter nice enough to let himself be used as a target.
• THL Ector Elefra, who helped design, make, redesign, and remake the original two arrow making jigs.
• Arthur Perlman, a non-SCA friend, who found a source for Siloflex tubes and reasonably priced stoppers.
• Master Jean Paul Pierrepont and Baron Sir Caveron Odell, who helped clear up questions regarding the rubber stoppers.
• Lord Dieter Unruh von Oldenburg, Brand Fyrison, and Mathias who came up with a number of ideas for speeding up the construction process.
• And, the many ladies of the Shire of Shadowed Stars who helped start this by wanting to become Combat Archers.

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