What Should Be Used To Screw On Broadheads & How To Screw Them

Archery and bowhunting are two sports that are still as popular as they were back in medieval times. Thus, it should not be surprising that the number of Americans who participate in archery rose from 18.9 million in 2012 to 21.6 million in 2016. Of this, 2.2 % participated in bowhunting only. Thus, you are unlikely to regret your decision to become an amateur archer or bow hunter.

However, if you want to have a pleasant experience as an archer or bowhunter, you will need to invest in the right tools. Some of the tools you will require include –

And in this article, I will be focusing on broadheads and in particular what should be used to screw on broadheads.

This is the question that I will be seeking to answer in this article. But before I get to answer this question, let me first discuss the different types of broadheads available.

Types of Broadheads

There are two main types of broadheads: fixed and mechanical broadheads. Fixed broadheads are popular among old-school bowhunters and among archers who use bows with lower draw weights. These types of broadheads have a broad design and are usually glued onto arrow shafts. However, some fixed broadheads feature a screw-in design for attaching to the arrow shaft.

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Mechanical broadheads, on the other hand, have blades that retract before a shot and expose when the broadhead comes into contact with the target. Generally speaking, these types of broadheads work best with bows that weigh at least 50 pounds. The reason is that these broadheads require added energy for the blades to expand when the broadhead hits a target, such as a bow target or deer. Also, these broadheads fly quicker and more accurately than their fixed counterparts.

Now that you know the different types of broadheads and how they differ let us move to answering the question of what should be used to screw on broadheads.

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What Should Be Used To Screw A Broadhead

When you want to attach a broadhead to your arrow shaft, there are several things you can use to do so. And in this section, I will be looking at some of them and how to screw a broadhead.

Hot Glue

One of the most popular options for attaching a broadhead to an arrow is hot glue. This type of glue is loved by many for its effectiveness and availability. Additionally, a broadhead attached using hot glue can easily be removed by heating. Therefore, if you plan on changing your broadheads in the future, I recommend using hot glue. Additionally, hot glue works best with fixed broadheads that do not have a screw-on design.

Hot Glue for attaching broadhead

While it is a rather traditional method of attaching a broadhead to an arrow shaft, using hot glue does have its benefits. In particular, the number one reason why hot glue is loved by many is that it makes the removal of broadheads easy.

However, it is worth noting that when removing a broadhead, you will have to heat it, which can damage the broadhead. Thus, it is important that you take extra caution when removing a broadhead attached using hot glue. It is advisable to use a low-heat source to avoid damaging the steel. Additionally, some broadheads come without a ceramic coating. When removing a broadhead without ceramic coating, you need to be extra careful not to damage the broadhead’s finishing.

Personally, I recommend using an alcohol burner instead of a torch. A torch produces heat that can damage the broadhead’s tip. An alcohol burner will give you sufficient heat and will guarantee that the composition of the glue is maintained.

alcohol burner or attaching broadhead

Some of the benefits and disadvantages of using hot glue include the following.

Pros

Easy to use for screwing broadheads

It is possible to easily remove a broadhead

It is easy to align the broadhead after gluing

This type of glue has been in use for a long time and thus is tested and proven.

Cons

Due to the glue being hot, there are chances of getting burnt

It is not possible to use without using a glue gun and heating appliance

The heat required may damage the steel broadhead

Cold Glue

For this option, you can use either cold glue or super glue. And though it is a relatively new option, it does have its benefits. The process of attaching a broadhead using cold glue is the same as that of attaching with hot glue. The only difference between the two glue options is that cold glue sets in instantly. In this regard, this option is ideal for archers who participate in tournaments and competitions. However, cold glue does require some time to set in. If the glue you buy comes with a manual, it will have details on how long it will take for the glue to set in.

cold glue

However, in my personal view, cold glue is not always the best option. I have used it before, and I find that it becomes brittle when it sets in. Also, unlike hot glue, removing a broadhead that has been attached using cold glue is not so easy. The reason is that you might need to buy some special kind of chemicals to remove the broadhead. Thus, I also do not like the fact that the process of removing a broadhead might be costly.

cold glue

Nonetheless, cold glue has its benefits. One of the main benefits of this glue is that the glue is strong enough to withstand an impact. Thus, if you are a bowhunter, this is the best method for attaching a broadhead. Actually, the strength of cold glue is to blame for one of its disadvantages, i.e., it is not easy to remove broadhead attached using cold glue.

That being said, some of the pros and cons of using cold glue include

Pros

It is quick and easy as it is instant

There are fewer tools required compared to using hot glue

There is no danger of the broadhead being damaged

It is safer to use than hot glue

Cons

It is hard to align, especially if you use superglue

Once the glue sets in, it can become brittle

It is almost impossible to remove broadheads attached using cold glue

How To Screw Broadheads: Installing Broadheads

There are two main methods of attaching a broadhead to an arrow shaft: tying and gluing. Tying involves the use of a rope, where you tie the broadhead to the arrow shaft using a rope. This is a traditional method of screwing a broadhead and is never efficient.

In this section, I will focus on the second method, which is gluing. When it comes to gluing a broadhead onto an arrow shaft, three steps are taken. These are preparation, gluing, and alignment. It is important to go through these three stages in depth, which I shall do in this section. These three steps apply when attaching a broadhead using hot glue and cold glue.

Preparation

Step number one is preparing the parts to be used in attaching the broadhead to the arrow shaft. There are two ways of attaching a broadhead using glue. One involves the use of adapters that connect the broadhead to the arrow shaft. The second involves attaching the broadhead directly to the arrow shaft without an adapter.

broadhead adapters

If you are using the second method, first clean the broadhead part that will be attached to the arrow shaft. Use sandpaper or steel wool to rough up the part to be attached. After you have done this, clean the part that will be attached using alcohol or fingernail polish. The purpose of doing this is to remove any oil residue that may be on the surface of the broadhead. Suppose you resort to using an adapter and clean the broadhead with finger nail polish or alcohol. Also, clean the arrow shaft part that will be attached to the broadhead. Whether you are using aluminum, carbon, or wooden arrows, make sure you have cleaned them before gluing the broadhead.

Gluing

The second step is the actual gluing together of the broadhead and the arrow shaft. As stated above, you can use hot or cold glue. Alternatively, you can use super glue to connect the two together. If you choose to use hot glue, you will need to heat the glue first. Use an alcohol-based heat source. Then, apply the glue onto the broadhead. Due to the fact that hot glue can burn your hands, make sure you use a glue gun.

Next, head the broadhead with an alcohol-based heat source to prevent it from getting damaged. Excess heat beyond 1200 Fahrenheit will damage the broadhead. Then, let the glue cool down. While the glue cools, use pliers to align the broadhead manually.

With cold or super glue, you will not need to heat the glue, and all you need to do is apply it to the broadhead. And unlike hot glue, cold glue sets in instantly, and you have to be quick to align the broadhead.

Aligning

One of the most important steps in the process of mounting a broadhead is the alignment process. It is advisable that you align the broadhead and arrow shaft before, during, and after gluing. One simple way of aligning a broadhead attached to an arrow is to spin it on a smooth surface.

However, this might not be a sufficient method, and you will have to get a commercial aligner. There are quite a number of aligners available for your purchase. To align the broadhead, place the arrow on the broadhead onto the aligner. Next, spin the arrow to get a true reading of the arrow’s alignment.

Conclusion

Deer hunting is all about the equipment you use and how well you understand some of the tools you use. In this regard, when attaching a broadhead, you will need to know how and what should be used to screw on broadheads. Thus, whether you are using the best carbon arrows or wooden arrows, how you screw the broadheads will influence the success of your hunting.

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