Home > Arrows and Arrow Making > Richard Head Spine Tester

Although this item no longer appears to be available you still may find one on the second hand market, it will be worth it if you do as there few real budget models of spine tester on the market ( the soon to be launched spineXL reviewed elsewhere on this site is eagerly anticipated).

A simple device made from basic materials the tester has a scale which is accurate when tested again other meters and using known shafts. Despite the rudimentary design and the use of "make do" parts this meter is easy to use, quick to set up and accurate. The adjustment to either raise or lower the shaft in order to set the scale to zero is a little bit fiddly and performed by the use of a rest held in place by a wing nut, you must get the rest slid in to place and then tighten the wing nut, not so bad if testing a few shafts but wearisome if batch testing.

The one weak point was that the scale itself was mounted on thin board, without proper support it is easily bent and bends even under it's own weight. This was easily remedied but the addition of a piece of wood screwed to the scale itself.

An essential part of any arrow makers kit even the hobby fletcher can ill afford to be without a tool which measures spine, if you see one of these going on the second hand market make an offer and grab it.

Rating
Features & Design
The makers of this were obviously looking to produce a good cheap spine meter, it's basic but functional, but no awards for style and design.
Performance
Despite the lack of styl, the scale is accurate, in fact as long as any spine meter is consistent with itself it will pform the job of gauging one shaft against another, without a spine tester I would be lost.
Value for Money
Worth £50 of anyones' money if you can find one.
Overall
If you can't find one cheap wait for the SpineXL tester.

 

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Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer.

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Essential Details
What : Richard Head Spine Tester Price : no longer available

Richard Head Spine Tester measures the deflection of an arrow.

2# weight bends the arrow and allows the "spine" to be measured.

Once the scale has been stabilised and stiffened with some extra supposrt the gauge worked well enough..

 

 

Magazine

Magazine We were very pleased to give our support to the James Whale Kidney Foundation shoot which we cover in this months magazine. We were also contacted by Lars Pilø with news on the archery related finds on Jovfonna, and while we couldn't get out there ourselves Lars kindly filled in some background information for us.


A mixed bag this month, me in the South West, Geoff putting the record straight, a chat with Keith Stay and the wisdom comes from South Cox of Stalker bows. 

We take a tour the length and breadth of the British mainland to visit Scotland with Border Bows, Yorkshire with Aidy Hayes, the Wirral with Jason from thelongbowshop.com, down South with the Company of Canterbury Longbowman, and Geoff is in Spain.

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