What is the best way to remove a insert from a CX Blue Streak? I'm looking to add a 20 grain weight adapter to the current insert....and wondering what the best way to remove the insert might be?
Oh man. Taking the inserts out of a carbon arrow is tricky. It doesn't always work. But. I have had success by heating the field point. Do not. I repeat. Do not allow direct flame contact on the arrow. The carbon will melt and break down. But. Get that field point good and hot and sometimes you can pull the insert out by grabbing the point with pliers. I run about 75% success rate. Is going to a 25 grain heavier point an option?
Another option is find something like a brass insert or something that will fit inside the shaft with a little weight, heat up the field tip and then place the object in the back of the shaft of after removing the nock. Make sure the object can slide freely, then swing the arrow like a baseball bat and the loose piece with hit the insert, often times breaking it free. It might take a few home run swings but it can work for sure.
I bought a tool...can't remember where right now (when I remember, I will post it) But it looks like a soldering iron, except it has a threaded end that goes into your insert. You heat the tool up....screw on the arrow, and the insert pulls right out. Wish I'd have thought of it.
use a drill bit. pull the nock out and slide a drill bit in the back end. Make sure its as big as you can get it but make sure it easily slides in the arrow. Then in a safe direction whip the arrow really hard so that the bit smashes into the insert. This is the best way I have found and it works great. Very rarely do you ever harm anything so that it cannot be used again.
I also have used the heated field point to remove the inserts that worked; BUT be careful on the thinner wall shafts, I have had them to leave a small crack on the end. You can cut the split ends off provided they will still be long enough. Good luck and again use the heat sparingly if you go that route.
This is what I have done in the past. Works great, just keep track of where the insert goes flying. set from my electronic carrier pigeon
I just had to do this exact thing over the weekend. I removed the nock, took a solid rod and pushed the arrow down onto it as my neighbor heated up the point. They popped out no problem at all.
Easy. put the field tip in first, grab a pair of plyers and a lighter. heat the shaft where the insert is, being careful to rotate the shaft for even heating and not getting it to hot. pull on the field tip with the plyers and it should just slip out... should only take about 8 secends of heating
Once you get them out, do yourself a favor and use the new Ferr-l-tite blue. It is a low temp melt glue that holds really well. To remove them, you heat a tip, screw it into the insert and pull them out of the arrow.
I use the drill bit method too. You just have to be careful and not swing like a mad man. Just a few quick short swings should break it loose. Just don't do it where it can come out and hit anything or anyone.
