HIT Insert Removal

Johnson27

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
270
Location
Quad Cities
I'm changing shaft spines and trying to salvage the HIT inserts. Anyone have luck removing HIT inserts when using the Easton adhesive?
 
Joined
May 19, 2022
Messages
544
Location
Clinton Township, MI
I'm changing shaft spines and trying to salvage the HIT inserts. Anyone have luck removing HIT inserts when using the Easton adhesive?
I've put my arrows in a vise before and drilled the HIT inserts out with no issue. Not something that I do every day, but I have done it and it worked perfectly fine with zero damage to the arrow shaft.
 

Trial153

WKR
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
8,296
Location
NY
I have swing hammered Brass HITS out with a drill bit. Worked okay. More trouble then it’s worth though.
 
Joined
Oct 6, 2014
Messages
399
Location
Western Montana
if all your trying to accomplish is re-use HIT inserts, that sounds like a lot of work and the insert won't necessarily will be worth saving. i've stopped by my local archery shop and just asked for inserts, turns out they have a drawer full of em that they never used.

i removed some inserts via the drill-bit/nail swing-hammer technique. most eventually came out. one refused to budge and ending up just bulging the end of the arrow. and it wasn't a quick procedure. i needed them out to cut the arrow down otherwise i'd have not gone on that adventure.
 

MattB

WKR
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
5,743
I’d sell the arrows you are moving away from and buy new HIT’s. Even if the drill bit method works, there is no guaranty the inserts will be in unusable condition after removal. Same for the shafts.
 
OP
J

Johnson27

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
270
Location
Quad Cities
Thanks for all the replies. The more I think about it, the savings is not worth the effort.
 
Joined
May 19, 2022
Messages
544
Location
Clinton Township, MI
Thanks for all the replies. The more I think about it, the savings is not worth the effort.
I misread the thread. I have never saved the HIT insert during removal, only the shaft. I agree with others that it's best to not even attempt if saving the insert if your goal!
 
Last edited:
OP
J

Johnson27

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
270
Location
Quad Cities
From real world experience, don't bother trying. I spent the last 45 minutes removing 2 inserts and split both shafts. I'm just going to sell the rest and buy all new. Much easier and money well spent.
 

nphunter

WKR
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Messages
2,036
Location
Oregon
The drill bit trick does not work well on brass because it mushrooms the brass and splits the shafts. Sorry I didn't see this post sooner. I have had good luck on removing SS HITs with the slide hammer trick, but with brass, I've ruined arrows trying.
 
Joined
Oct 20, 2018
Messages
613
Location
Montana
I did the drill bit slide hammer to a dozen shafts. Iirc I split half of them and the ones that did come out, were flung across my garage and bounced around against everything and were either lost or damaged.

I just buy new components now and turn my old arrows into grouse & squirl shooters
 
Top