Installing or Removing Inserts, Points, and Outserts

INSTALLATION

Carbon and aluminum shafts: It is very important to clean the inside of the shaft using a cotton swab dipped in denatured alcohol. Continue cleaning, using new cotton swabs, until no traces of black residue remain. Then, install the insert or point with one of Bohning’s adhesives. We highly recommend Ferr-L-Tite Cool Flex for carbon shafts as it can be reversed without damaging your arrow.

• Using Ferr-L-Tite® and Ferr-L-Tite® Cool Flex (hot-melt adhesives): Hold the insert/point with a pair of pliers and heat it over a small flame. Then heat the stick of adhesive with the flame until the adhesive glosses over (just before melting). Quickly reheat the insert with the flame, then apply the adhesive all the way around it. Press the insert into the arrow shaft while rotating it one complete turn. This ensures the adhesive covers the full surface of both the insert and the interior of the shaft. Allow appropriate dry and cure time according to the instructions on the adhesive.

o Following installation of an insert, coat the screw-in point with a solid wax such as Tex-Tite®, Seal-Tite®, or Grit Guard prior to installing as this will help prevent it from unscrewing.

• Using Insert Iron, Blazer® Bond, or Fletch Fuse: Coat the insert or point with the adhesive, then press into the arrow shaft while rotating one complete turn so the adhesive covers the full surface of both the insert and the interior of the shaft. Allow appropriate dry and cure time according to the instructions on the adhesive.

Wooden shafts: We highly recommend Ferr-L-Tite for wooden shafts. 

• Using Ferr-L-Tite® (hot-melt adhesive): Hold the outsert with a pair of pliers and heat it over a small flame. Heat the Ferr-L-Tite® with the flame until the adhesive glosses over (just before melting). Quickly reheat the outsert with the flame, then apply the Ferr-L-Tite® all the way around the interior of the outsert. Press the outsert onto the arrow shaft while rotating one complete turn. This ensures the adhesive covers the full surface of both the outsert and the exterior of the shaft. Allow appropriate dry and cure time according to the instructions on the adhesive.

• Using Insert Iron, Blazer® Bond, or Fletch Fuse: Coat the outsert with the adhesive, then press onto the arrow shaft while rotating one complete turn. This ensures the adhesive covers the full surface of both the outsert and the exterior of the shaft. Allow appropriate dry and cure time according to the instructions on the adhesive.

REMOVAL

Carbon: Removing Inserts, Points, or Outserts from carbon shafts:

• If Ferr-L-Tite Cool Flex was used during installation: Boil a pot of water, using enough water to submerge the entire insert. Keeping the heat consistent, submerge the insert into the water for 10-15 seconds. Remove the arrow and insert from the water, then, using a pair of pliers on the insert, gently remove it. If removed with excessive force, you may inadvertently pull the carbon fibers from the shaft along with the insert. There will most likely be adhesive residue remaining on the insert. To remove this residue from an insert or point, hold it with a pair of pliers over a flame until the adhesive melts off or dissipates. To remove the residue from an outsert, hold it vertically over the flame with a pair of pliers until the adhesive melts off or dissipates. We recommend doing this over a work surface that you don’t mind getting dirty as the adhesive may drip. Before installing a new point or insert on your arrow, you will need to clean the interior of the shaft again as referenced in the Installation section.

• If Ferr-L-Tite was used during installation: Bohning DOES NOT recommend using Ferr-L-Tite with carbon shafts due to the amount of heat needed for reversal – there is a high risk of ruining your arrow during removal. If Ferr-L-Tite is not heated enough when removing points, you may inadvertently pull the carbon fibers from the shaft along with the point. However, if it is heated too much, it can de-laminate the carbon. If it is absolutely necessary to remove points previously installed with Ferr-L-Tite from carbon shafts, please adhere closely to the following instructions: Apply a direct flame ONLY to the point and NOT DIRECTLY to the carbon shaft or too close to it. If using a propane torch, keep the flame on the point for 7-10 seconds (10-12 seconds for large points) before removing the point with a pair of pliers. Do NOT apply the force of the pliers directly to the carbon shaft as it could damage it. If using an alcohol burner, apply the flame approximately twice as long before removing the point. Before installing a new point on your arrow, you will need to clean the interior of the shaft again as referenced in the Installation section.

• If Insert Iron, Blazer® Bond, or Fletch Fuse were used: these are not intended to be reversible – attempting to do so could damage your arrow.

Aluminum: Removing Inserts, Points, or Outserts from aluminum shafts

• If Ferr-L-Tite Cool Flex was used: Boil a pot of water, using enough water to submerge the entire insert. Keeping the heat consistent, submerge the insert into the water for 10-15 seconds. Remove the arrow and insert from the water, then, using a pair of pliers on the insert, gently remove it. There will most likely be adhesive residue remaining on the insert. To remove this residue from an insert or point, hold it with a pair of pliers over a flame until the adhesive melts off or dissipates. To remove the residue from an outsert, hold it vertically over the flame with a pair of pliers until the adhesive melts off or dissipates. We recommend doing this over a work surface that you don’t mind getting dirty as the adhesive may drip. Before installing a new point or insert on your arrow, you will need to clean the interior of the shaft again as referenced in the Installation section.

• If Ferr-L-Tite was used: Using work gloves, hold the middle of the aluminum arrow gently with a pair of pliers, then apply flame directly to the insert and, if necessary, a small amount of heat directly to the part of shaft abutting the insert. Caution! If you apply heat for too long directly to the aluminum shaft it could discolor or distort the shaft. If using a propane torch, keep the flame on the insert for 10-12 seconds before removing it with a pair of pliers. Do NOT apply the force of the pliers directly to the shaft as it could damage it. If using an alcohol burner, apply the flame for 15-20 seconds before removing the insert. Before installing a new point or insert on your arrow, you will need to clean the interior of the shaft again as referenced in the Installation section.

Wooden shafts: We do not recommend trying to reverse outserts on wooden shafts.