Insert

An insert is a threaded sleeve glued into the front end of a carbon arrow shaft to accept screw-in points and broadheads. Insert weight ranges from 8 grains (aluminum) to 100 grains or more (brass) and is the second most powerful lever for adjusting FOC after point weight itself.

Details

Standard inserts are aluminum and weigh 8–16 grains — they provide the threaded seat for a point while contributing minimal mass. Brass inserts run 16–100+ grains and are used specifically to add front weight for FOC optimization. A 50-grain brass insert combined with a 100-grain broadhead gives the same point-end mass as a 150-grain single-piece setup but uses a lighter, faster-flying shaft. Weight-forward insert systems from companies such as Anarchy, Forge, and Talon manufacture stepped insert designs in brass or steel that push FOC into the high-teens without requiring exotic shaft changes.

Adhesive choice significantly affects the quality and permanence of the bond. Hot-melt glue is fast to apply and reversible — a heat gun softens the bond in seconds, allowing point or insert swaps in the field. The tradeoff is a slightly weaker bond at elevated temperatures (a hot car in summer can soften hot-melt), and the need for consistent technique to avoid voids. Two-part epoxy sets harder, is impervious to heat, and forms a permanent structural bond; inserts glued with epoxy require a heat gun and sometimes a spinning tool to remove without damaging the shaft.

Hidden insert systems (HIT) represent a premium design where the insert is recessed fully inside the shaft and the point or broadhead's shoulder seats directly against the carbon rather than the aluminum insert face. Iron Will, Ethics Archery, and a few others sell HIT-compatible systems. The benefit is a cleaner point-to-shaft junction and, on narrow shafts, a stronger mechanical connection. The constraint is that HIT systems require shaft IDs machined to close tolerances and are shaft-brand-specific.

Every grain of insert weight is leveraged highly on FOC because the insert sits at the absolute front of the arrow — just behind the point. Switching from an 8-grain aluminum insert to a 50-grain brass insert on a 350-grain finished arrow can move FOC from roughly 12% to 16% (depending on arrow length and component placement) with no other changes. This makes insert weight a preferred tuning dial for archers who want to hit a specific FOC target without changing shaft length or switching point weights.

Verwandt auf BowSmith

Glossar

Rechner

Druckvorlagen

Häufige Fragen

What insert weight should I use?: For a standard target or 3D setup, an 8–16-grain aluminum insert is fine — it holds the point securely without meaningfully changing the arrow's balance. If you are targeting a specific FOC value above what your current point weight achieves, step up to a 25–50-grain brass insert. For high-FOC hunting setups targeting 15–20% or higher, 50–100-grain brass inserts are common. Calculate your target FOC first, then work backward to the insert weight that hits it.
Hot-melt or epoxy — which glue should I use for inserts?: Hot-melt is convenient for setups where you regularly swap points or broadheads — it holds well under normal shooting conditions and releases easily with heat. Two-part epoxy is the right choice for permanent builds or any insert going into a hunting arrow that needs to survive the torque of a broadhead impacting game or obstacles. Many archers use hot-melt for practice arrows and epoxy for their finished hunting builds. Never mix adhesive types in the same shaft — clean thoroughly before switching.
Does it matter whether I use a brass or aluminum insert?: It matters if FOC is your goal. Aluminum inserts are light (8–16 gr) and sufficient for most target applications. Brass inserts weigh far more — 25 to 100+ grains — and are a deliberate FOC tool, not just a threading seat. Beyond weight, brass is slightly more durable at the point-seating face and less likely to deform under repeated broadhead torque. If you are not specifically optimizing FOC, aluminum is the simpler choice; if you are, brass gives you a powerful and inexpensive adjustment lever.

Details

Häufige Fragen

What insert weight should I use?

For a standard target or 3D setup, an 8–16-grain aluminum insert is fine — it holds the point securely without meaningfully changing the arrow's balance. If you are targeting a specific FOC value above what your current point weight achieves, step up to a 25–50-grain brass insert. For high-FOC hunting setups targeting 15–20% or higher, 50–100-grain brass inserts are common. Calculate your target FOC first, then work backward to the insert weight that hits it.

Hot-melt or epoxy — which glue should I use for inserts?

Hot-melt is convenient for setups where you regularly swap points or broadheads — it holds well under normal shooting conditions and releases easily with heat. Two-part epoxy is the right choice for permanent builds or any insert going into a hunting arrow that needs to survive the torque of a broadhead impacting game or obstacles. Many archers use hot-melt for practice arrows and epoxy for their finished hunting builds. Never mix adhesive types in the same shaft — clean thoroughly before switching.

Does it matter whether I use a brass or aluminum insert?

It matters if FOC is your goal. Aluminum inserts are light (8–16 gr) and sufficient for most target applications. Brass inserts weigh far more — 25 to 100+ grains — and are a deliberate FOC tool, not just a threading seat. Beyond weight, brass is slightly more durable at the point-seating face and less likely to deform under repeated broadhead torque. If you are not specifically optimizing FOC, aluminum is the simpler choice; if you are, brass gives you a powerful and inexpensive adjustment lever.