How to Make Arrows for a Paper Clip Bow

This is a type of pen that may be used in this project.

Make arrows for a paper clip bow by modifying a pen's ink tube as typically found in Bic and other pen brands. These arrows are needle-tipped and, with their straight shaft, are very accurate. The feather at the back end of the arrow is decorative and adds the finishing touch to the arrow. Be careful since a snapped bowstring or other incident may cause this arrow to fly out of control. Make sure that this arrow is always under control and that goggles are worn at all times. Refer to the other warnings at the end of this article when you have finished reading it.

Instructions

1. Remove the interior of a pen so that the ink tube still has the head attached. In some pens, there may be a collar around the head so that it fits into the end of the tube. Remove this collar.

2. Remove the head so that it and the pen can have the ink removed. The process will speed up by blowing the ink out of the tube into a paper cup to discard. Rinse out the head and tube, removing all ink. Make the shaft the proper length by seeing how far the bow will be drawn and cutting the tube to the appropriate length. Use this length as a reference for future arrows.

3. With a flat-headed pin, push the ball at the tip of the head outwards from behind. When the ball is expelled, throw it away. Continue to push the pin out through the hole where the ball was until the sharp part is sticking out the tip of the head. Put a single drop of glue in behind the needle head. Hold the tube and slip it in the head behind the pushpin before the glue dries. Hold the pushpin straight while it dries.

4. Obtain a feather. These can be found at a local park as they are shed naturally by birds or they can be found sticking out of old pillows/blankets/coats. If those locations are not available, they can be found at a craft store in multiple colors. Cut a fin from a feather by taking a bit of the main shaft with it. Trim the feather to the shape that is desired. Glue the feather at the back end of the pen to the shaft so it runs parallel to the arrow shaft. Do the same thing again on the other side of the arrow's diameter with a feather that is trimmed identically so that the cross section is bilaterally symmetrical. If desired, a spin can be put on the arrow to increase the accuracy of the arrow by tilting the feathers a little in the same (clockwise or counterclockwise) direction.

5. With a sharp filing edge, file a groove at the rear of the arrow the same depth as the bowstring that is parallel to the feathers. The reason that the notch is parallel to the feathers instead of perpendicular is so that the feathers are not damaged as much when the arrow is gripped.

Tips & Warnings

• The needle is sharp and can be made sharper with a file.

• Wear proper eye protection at all times. Do not do this around other people/animals since paper clip arrows are unpredictable. Remove anything that you do not want punctured from the room. Beware of ricochet. Do not aim this arrow at any living thing. This is not to be used by minors or to be anywhere that possession and/or operation of such a device would be unwise. Assume that the needle is unclean if punctured and do standard first aid for puncture wounds and contact your physician. Do not hurt anyone with this device. Using this device is done at your own risk. The only way to be safe is to not build projectiles and to use this article for informational purposes only.

Resources

• Pen Gun Construction
• Origami Star Construction
• Lego Rubber Band Gun Construction