WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE, SPONSORED BY CARBON EXPRESS

Whether you shoot Carbon Express or a competitor’s arrow, we want you to know that there are some basics that you must know to shoot safely.  Regardless of your brand, please watch our safety video and please tell your friends about our site; for safety’s sake.

After watching the video, please find your arrow and review the short safety information specific to your arrow.  If you cannot find your arrow or you have any questions about shooting safely, please contact the customer service department for the company that manufactures your equipment.

KNOW HOW TO SHOOT SAFELY

The use of a bow and arrow requires considerable skill and should be treated with caution to avoid injury to persons and/or property. Bows and arrows should only be used by those who are properly trained in safety or under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Safety glasses should be worn while working with archery equipment. Read assembly instructions and all information included with arrows, hardware and adhesive packages.

POINTS OF SAFE SHOOTING

1. Arrows should always be flexed in a gradual arc and visually inspected for delamination, splitting or impact crush marks prior to shooting. A damaged shaft could fail completely upon release and cause injury to yourself or others. Never shoot a cracked or damaged shaft.
2. After loading into the bow, do not point the arrow at yourself or others. It may discharge accidentally and cause serious injury to yourself or others.
3. Do not shoot unless the target is visible and you are aware of what is behind the target area.
4. Be conscious of shooting technique and sequence. Careless handling of bow and arrows and/or distractions can lead to serious injury to yourself and others.
5. Always check all arrow components prior to shooting. Loose components can cause unbalanced arrow flight and partial dry firing of the bow.

SHAFT SELECTION CHARTS

The Shaft Selection Charts were developed based upon the performance characteristics of a compound bow with 50% to 60% draw weight let-off, round wheels, Fast Flight string and steel cables.

The proper arrow size for a selected bow may differ from that of other bow brands or models due to design differences, the particular bow’s set-up, arrow weight, etc. “Adjusted Bow Draw Weight” is a calculation that accounts for such differences, making arrow selection more reliable. To choose the proper arrow shaft size for your bow, use the Adjusted Bow Draw Weight chart to determine your correct draw weight, then use the Arrow Selection Chart to select your arrow shaft size. If your set-up falls between shafts sizes, choose the higher size (stiffer spine).

Carbon Express Arrows	Redhead Arrows	Whitetail Arrows

Click on image above to view the Arrow Selection Guide PDF

WE RECOMMEND YOU SELECT THE LARGER SHAFT SIZE IF THE CHART INDICATES YOU ARE BETWEEN SIZES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO ANY CARBON EXPRESS® PRODUCT, STOP AND CONTACT THE CARBON EXPRESS® CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-241-4833 FOR ASSISTANCE.

NOTE: Due to the equipment and accessory variations, other shaft sizes than the ones shown may be needed. Experimentation of shaft spine may be required to fit certain situations.

Shaft straightness tolerances measured over a 28˝ span.

SAFE ARROW ASSEMBLY PRACTICES

INSTALLING PRESS FIT NOCKS

Firmly press the press fit nock into the shaft by applying pressure to the nock valley base only. Do not put direct pressure on the nock tabs - direct pressure on the nock tabs may cause the nock to deform, crack or break. Once seated flush against the shaft, the nock can be turned for precise tuning. Press fit nocks do not have to be glued to the shaft.

INSTALLING NOCK COLLARS

Using fine grit sandpaper, scuff up the outside of the shaft where the outsert will be installed. Using a cotton swab and denatured alcohol (available at most hardware stores), clean the outside of the shaft and the inside of the outsert. Apply a generous amount of epoxy* to the shaft. Push the outsert onto the shaft while simultaneously turning in order to evenly spread the adhesive until firmly seated. The outsert will bottom out on the shaft when fully installed. Due to the tight fitting design of the outsert, only a small amount of epoxy is required to bond the outsert to the shaft.

INSTALLING CARBON EXPRESS POINT INSERTS AND GLUE-IN TARGET POINTS

Using fine grit sandpaper, scuff up the inside of the shaft where the component will be installed. Using a cotton swab and denatured alcohol (available at most hardware stores), clean the inside of the shaft and the outside of the shank portion of the component. Apply a generous amount of glue* to the shank of the component. Push the component into the shaft while simultaneously turning in order to evenly spread the adhesive until firmly seated. The final 1/8˝ of the front end component is designed to press fit into the shaft to ensure proper alignment.
 
*Note: Use an adhesive made for attaching components to carbon, composite or fiberglass shafts. We recommend a slow setting epoxy for the best long term results. DO NOT USE A QUICK SETTING EPOXY OR HOT MELT GLUE.

*CX Expressbond (Model M1037) with maximum adhesive strength should be used when installing carbon arrow components like inserts, nock collars, points, and adapters for the best long term results. DO NOT USE A QUICK SETTING EPOXY OR HOT MELT GLUE. Quick setting epoxy can become brittle during the hardening process and may not create a sufficient bond between the arrow shaft and component. Hot melt glues may scorch or burn the carbon fibers and weaken the arrow structure.

DETERMINING YOUR CORRECT ARROW LENGTH

Using the bow and release system that you normally use (mechanical or fingers), draw the bow back to your anchor point. Have someone mark the shaft where it comes into contact with the front of the riser. Measure the length of the shaft from where the nock contacts the string (nock valley) to the spot marked. This distance is your standard arrow length. We recommend you cut one shaft and install the front end hardware of your choice to make sure the shaft is the correct length before cutting the other shafts.

PROCEDURES FOR CUTTING CARBON, COMPOSITE OR FIBERGLASS ARROWS/SHAFTS

1. Always use a high-speed cut-off tool (above 5,000 rpm) with an abrasive wheel when cutting carbon, composite or fiberglass arrows/shafts.  Using tube cutters or hand saws will damage the material fibers.
2. Always cut carbon, composite or fiberglass arrows/shafts with nocks in place. WARNING: Always use the appropriate respiratory protection (NIOSH Approved Dusk mask), and eye protection (safety glasses) when cutting arrow shafts.

PREPARING CARBON, COMPOSITE OR FIBERGLASS SHAFTS FOR FLETCHING

1. Using a clean white paper towel, wipe the shaft where the fletching will be applied with denatured alcohol. Continue to lightly wipe the shaft with alcohol until all carbon dust and residue is removed.
2. Wipe the base of the vanes with denatured alcohol also. Most vane producers use a mold-release agent in the manufacturing process that must be removed for solid adhesion between the shaft and vane.
3. Do not touch the portion of the shaft to be fletched, or the base of the vane, or allow them to come into contact with any surface once they have been cleaned.

FLETCHING CARBON, COMPOSITE OR FIBERGLASS SHAFTS

1. We recommend carbon, composite or fiberglass shafts be fletched with Carbon Express Archery Glue or super glue gel designed for carbon arrows.
2. Carbon, composite or fiberglass shafts can be fletched with standard fletching jigs and clamps. For optimum performance and flight stability, we recommend bow hunters fletch their shafts using a helical clamp or a straight clamp with the jig offset.

RE-FLETCHING CARBON, COMPOSITE OR FIBERGLASS SHAFTS

(WARNING: Never soak carbon, composite or fiberglass shafts in any harsh chemical, including acetone.) MEK can be used on carbon shafts without damage to the finish if it is rubbed on the shaft with a clean rag.

1. Use a dull knife to remove old fletching and glue. Be very careful to only remove fletching and glue - do not remove any carbon, composite or glass fibers.
2. Repeat steps 1-3 detailed under Preparing Carbon, Composite or Fiberglass Shaft for Fletching.

THE FOLLOWING ARROWS ARE DISTRIBUTED BY CARBON EXPRESS

Our customer service number is 1-800-241-4833

Thank you for visiting our site, and please tell your friends to hunt and shoot safely.