Spine-O-Meter Mark II

Instruction Manual

The spine tester that translates between traditional wooden arrow

spine and modern carbon and aluminum deflection measurements.

K.C. Gerlock kcgerlock@prodigy.net December 2007

Spine-O-Meter Instructions Rev. 2

Spine-O-Meter Instructions
The Spine-O-Meter spine tester is designed to be easy to use, versatile and attractive. It has been
carefully designed to provide precise and consistent measurement of all diameter arrow shafts.
The operation should be very intuitive; but, an introduction into the unique features of this
machine is in order.

Warning: This product contains lead, a chemical known to the state of California to cause
cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. The two pound weight is lead that has been
painted in order to shield the operator from any harmful affects. If the paint gets chipped it is
recommended that it be re-touched in order to maintain a protective coating. Washing your
hands after use of this tool for additional protection is also advised.

Introduction
For quite some time traditional and non-traditional archers have spoken different languages when
discussing arrow spine. The Spine-O-Meter is designed to translate between the two different
spine languages. Now, if someone wants to know what Brand X carbon shaft is equivalent to
a 60-65 wooden arrow the answer is readily available.

The Spine-O-Meter can measure arrow shafts to the Archery Trade Association (ATA, formally
AMO) standard from twenty to two-hundred pounds by using the appropriate scale and pivot
point. A unique feature of this tester is that the scales are marked with ATA pounds spine,
aluminum arrow spine and the deflection that carbon and aluminum manufacturers use, i.e., 300,
400, etc. This allows for fast and easy comparison of traditional wooden arrow spine
measurements to aluminum or carbon shafts. Think of it as the Rosetta Stone for archers.
Hopefully, it will eliminate the confusion between traditional wooden spine and aluminum or
carbon spine because it translates between the two different methods used for arrow shafts.

The traditional spine and modern spine test methods are very similar but use different
geometries and weights. The ATA spine test method uses a two pound weight on the shaft
supported at 26 inch span. The modern method of determining spine is ASTM F2031-05
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Arrow Shaft Static Spine (Stiffness). This method
uses 1.94 pounds with the shaft supported at 28 inches. It is a simple algebra exercise to derive a
scaling factor between the two methods and is presented in Appendix A.

For assistance call 760-468-0511 or 760-451-2232 weekdays Pacific Coast daytime.

Operation
Your spine tester arrives with the scale arm and indicator needle removed for shipping and the
two pound weight stowed in the well. Attach the indicator arm to the base using the threaded
knob. It should look like the photo on the cover. Note that the scale arm can be loosened and
pivoted counter-clockwise for storage. During use ensure that the scale arm is fully clockwise
and stops against the base to ensure correct readings. To change scales simply pop the plastic

K.C. Gerlock 2 of 8 December 2007

Spine-O-Meter Instructions Rev. 2

buttons out from behind and swap scales. A hard tool is required to pop the button out of the
hole. Install the indicator needle into the pivot arm and gently snug the holding screw.

Standard Range Set-up and Scales

This measurement mode is the configuration in which your tester was shipped. The deflection
arm is positioned in the center hole as shown in Figure 1 Standard Set-up and the Standard
Scale is installed on the scale arm. Figure 2 shows a close-up of the scale; the different spine
indications are evident.

This standard set-up allows measurement of

shafts from 30 to 130 pounds ATA spine,
with one-pound increments up to one
hundred pounds, and are read on the left side
of the scale. Aluminum shafts from 1716 to
2613 are shown in the center of the scale.
Deflection from .250 to 1.050, using the
ASTM method, are shown on the right side.
The decimal points have been omitted.

Figure 2 shows the result of measuring an

Easton Legacy 2016 shaft. This shaft reads
59.3 pounds ATA spine; the 2016 label is
hidden under the pointer and the ASTM
deflection is shown on the right scale. A
2016 shaft is reported as having a deflection
of .531 inches by the manufacturer
Figure 1. Standard Set-up.
In order to avoid confusion remember a
500 spine really means a deflection of For Standard and Hybrid scales the
.500 inches using the modern ASTM arrow pivot point shoulbe set in the
method for spine measurement. A 500 center hole. Arrow spines from 30
arrow measured using the ATA method lbs. to 130lbs. can be measured.
would result in a deflection of .413 inches
using the ATA method, which is a 63 pound
spine. Also remember, ATA spine is
defined as (26/deflection in inches). ATA
deflection can be calculated by multiplying
ASTM deflection by 0.825.

Appendix B tables show ATA pounds spine

and the corresponding ATA and ASTM
deflections. Appendix C presents Easton
aluminum shafts translated from the ASTM
deflection to the ATA deflection and spine
and ASTM deflection translated to ATA
deflection and pounds spine. Figure 2. Hybrid Scale.

K.C. Gerlock 3 of 8 December 2007

Spine-O-Meter Instructions Rev. 1

Measurement
Operation of the tester is very simple. Begin by placing the two pound weight in the hole in the
arm above the arrow pivot and tighten the thumbscrew enough to hold it up out of the way.
Place an arrow shaft in the support standards ensuring that the right side is in the V notch and the
left is resting on the adjusting screw and cradled in the locating groove.

While observing the pointer at the bottom of the scale, adjust the thumbscrew on the left standard
to align the pointer with the zero line. While holding the weight, release the thumbscrew and
allow the weight to deflect the arrow shaft. The weight will fall very quickly so make sure to
have a good hold when releasing. Read the arrow spine from the scale.

For wooden shafts it is desirable to find the stiffest orientation of the grain by rotating the shaft
and repeating the measurement. If the shaft is not straight the zero setting will change so it is
prudent to check the zero at different shaft rotations for highest accuracy.

Optional Range Scales

In addition to the Standard and Hybrid scales there are two optional scales that allow testing
arrows down to 20 pounds spine or up to 200 pounds spine.

Light and Heavy Arrow Set-up

To measure arrows as low as twenty pounds spine install the Light Arrow Scale and move the
deflection arm to the left-most hole as shown in Figure 3. No tools are required to change the
Mark II measurement range. Simply unscrew the deflection arm and move it to the desired
location.

Likewise, arrows as heavy as 200 pounds spine are measured by installing the Heavy Arrow
Scale and positioning the deflection arm in the right-most hole. As shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3. Light Arrow Set-up Figure 4. Heavy Arrow Set-up

K.C. Gerlock 4 of 8 December 2007

Spine-O-Meter Appendix A

Translating Arrow Spine Test Methods

The conversion from the ATA (AMO) spine measurement method and the ASTM method is a
very simple calculation based on beam deflection theory and is presented below.

The beam deflection equation is valid for beams in which the materials remain in their elastic
state; this means that they recover their original shape when the force is removed.

An illustration of our spine tester is show below. The equation for stiffness of the shaft is:
k = F = 48 E3 I
L
F

L
Where:
k is the shaft stiffness.
F is the force applied.
(delta) is the deflection of the arrow shaft.
E is the modulus of elasticity, the materials tendency to be deformed elastically.
I is the area moment of inertia, this property is used to predict the resistance to bending and is
dependent on the cross-section of the beam.

For the two different spine measurement methods some of the elements of the equation are the
same; k, E and I are properties of the particular arrow shaft and do not change. The differences
in the two are; L and F are different and the result is that varies. So now we can write two
equations, one for each method.
F1 48 E I
k= =
1 L31

F2 48 E I
k= =
2 L32
Let us call the ATA standard Method 1 and the ASTM standard Method 2. These equations can
be manipulated to yield:

K.C. Gerlock 5 of 8 December 2007

Spine-O-Meter Appendix A

F1 L31
k= = 48 E I
1

F2 L32
k= = 48 E I
2
These two equations are equal to one another by observing that k is the same in both and 48EI is
the same. Therefore they can be written:

F2 L32 F1 L31
= The goal is to find the ratio of 1 to 2. So we manipulate the equations to
2 1
give:

1 F1 L13 2lb. 26in.3

= = = 0.825419
2 F2 L32 1.94lb. 28in.3

What does all of this mean? It is very simple: if you know the spine of a carbon shaft is 500,
which means .500 inches deflection, multiply .500 by .825 and the result is .413 inches
deflection in the ATA method. The ATA spine is simply 26 inches divided by .413 inches
deflection to get 63 pounds spine.

Conversely, suppose we have a wooden arrow of 95 pounds spine and we want to determine
what carbon or aluminum deflection is equivalent. Start by dividing 26 inches by 95 pounds to
get an ATA deflection of .274 inches. Next divide this result by .825 to get .332; the closest
carbon shaft is a 340. Three decimal places for these calculations is sufficient accuracy.

K.C. Gerlock 6 of 8 December 2007

Spine-O-Meter Appendix B

ATA Spine to Deflection ATA Spine to Deflection ATA Spine to Deflection

ATA ATA ATA
Spine ATA ASTM Spine ATA ASTM Spine ATA ASTM
(pounds) Deflection Deflection (pounds) Deflection Deflection (pounds) Deflection Deflection
20 1.300 1.575 61 0.426 0.516 102 0.255 0.309
21 1.238 1.500 62 0.419 0.508 103 0.252 0.306
22 1.182 1.432 63 0.413 0.500 104 0.250 0.303
23 1.130 1.370 64 0.406 0.492 105 0.248 0.300
24 1.083 1.312 65 0.400 0.485 106 0.245 0.297
25 1.040 1.260 66 0.394 0.477 107 0.243 0.294
26 1.000 1.212 67 0.388 0.470 108 0.241 0.292
27 0.963 1.167 68 0.382 0.463 109 0.239 0.289
28 0.929 1.125 69 0.377 0.457 110 0.236 0.286
29 0.897 1.086 70 0.371 0.450 111 0.234 0.284
30 0.867 1.050 71 0.366 0.444 112 0.232 0.281
31 0.839 1.016 72 0.361 0.437 113 0.230 0.279
32 0.813 0.984 73 0.356 0.431 114 0.228 0.276
33 0.788 0.955 74 0.351 0.426 115 0.226 0.274
34 0.765 0.926 75 0.347 0.420 120 0.217 0.262
35 0.743 0.900 76 0.342 0.414 125 0.208 0.252
36 0.722 0.875 77 0.338 0.409 130 0.200 0.242
37 0.703 0.851 78 0.333 0.404 135 0.193 0.233
38 0.684 0.829 79 0.329 0.399 140 0.186 0.225
39 0.667 0.808 80 0.325 0.394 145 0.179 0.217
40 0.650 0.787 81 0.321 0.389 150 0.173 0.210
41 0.634 0.768 82 0.317 0.384 155 0.168 0.203
42 0.619 0.750 83 0.313 0.380 160 0.163 0.197
43 0.605 0.733 84 0.310 0.375 165 0.158 0.191
44 0.591 0.716 85 0.306 0.371 170 0.153 0.185
45 0.578 0.700 86 0.302 0.366 175 0.149 0.180
46 0.565 0.685 87 0.299 0.362 180 0.144 0.175
47 0.553 0.670 88 0.295 0.358 185 0.141 0.170
48 0.542 0.656 89 0.292 0.354 190 0.137 0.166
49 0.531 0.643 90 0.289 0.350 195 0.133 0.162
50 0.520 0.630 91 0.286 0.346 200 0.130 0.157
51 0.510 0.618 92 0.283 0.342 205 0.127 0.154
52 0.500 0.606 93 0.280 0.339 210 0.124 0.150
53 0.491 0.594 94 0.277 0.335 215 0.121 0.147
54 0.481 0.583 95 0.274 0.332 220 0.118 0.143
55 0.473 0.573 96 0.271 0.328 225 0.116 0.140
56 0.464 0.562 97 0.268 0.325 230 0.113 0.137
57 0.456 0.553 98 0.265 0.321 235 0.111 0.134
58 0.448 0.543 99 0.263 0.318 240 0.108 0.131
59 0.441 0.534 100 0.260 0.315 245 0.106 0.129
60 0.433 0.525 101 0.257 0.312 250 0.104 0.126

ATA Def Wt.

= 0.825419 x ASTM Def ASTM = 1.94
Wt. ATA
= 2
L. ASTM
ATA Spine = 26 / ATA Def. = 28
L. ATA = 26
K.C. Gerlock 7 of 8 December 2007
Spine-O-Meter Appendix C

Easton Aluminum Arrow Spine Chart ASTM Deflection to ATA Spine

Shaft ASTM ATA ATA Spine ASTM ATA ATA Spine
Size Deflection Deflection (pounds) Deflection Deflection (pounds)
1214 2.501 2.064 12.6 1.575 1.300 20.0
1413 2.036 1.681 15.5 1.500 1.238 21.0
1416 1.684 1.390 18.7 1.450 1.197 21.7
1512 1.553 1.282 20.3 1.400 1.156 22.5
1514 1.379 1.138 22.8 1.350 1.114 23.3
1516 1.403 1.158 22.5 1.300 1.073 24.2
1612 1.298 1.071 24.3 1.250 1.032 25.2
1614 1.153 0.952 27.3 1.200 0.991 26.2
1616 1.079 0.891 29.2 1.150 0.949 27.4
1712 1.099 0.907 28.7 1.100 0.908 28.6
1713 1.044 0.862 30.2 1.050 0.867 30.0
1714 0.963 0.795 32.7 1.000 0.825 31.5
1716 0.880 0.726 35.8 0.975 0.805 32.3
1812 0.879 0.726 35.8 0.950 0.784 33.2
1813 0.874 0.721 36.0 0.925 0.764 34.1
1814 0.799 0.660 39.4 0.900 0.743 35.0
1816 0.756 0.624 41.7 0.875 0.722 36.0
1820 0.592 0.489 53.2 0.850 0.702 37.1
1912 0.778 0.642 40.5 0.825 0.681 38.2
1913 0.733 0.605 43.0 0.800 0.660 39.4
1914 0.658 0.543 47.9 0.775 0.640 40.6
1916 0.623 0.514 50.6 0.750 0.619 42.0
2012 0.680 0.561 46.3 0.725 0.598 43.4
2013 0.610 0.504 51.6 0.700 0.578 45.0
2014 0.579 0.478 54.4 0.675 0.557 46.7
2016 0.531 0.438 59.3 0.650 0.537 48.5
2018 0.464 0.383 67.9 0.625 0.516 50.4
2020 0.426 0.352 73.9 0.600 0.495 52.5
2112 0.590 0.487 53.4 0.575 0.475 54.8
2113 0.540 0.446 58.3 0.550 0.454 57.3
2114 0.510 0.421 61.8 0.525 0.433 60.0
2115 0.461 0.381 68.3 0.500 0.413 63.0
2117 0.407 0.336 77.4 0.475 0.392 66.3
2212 0.505 0.417 62.4 0.450 0.371 70.0
2213 0.458 0.378 68.8 0.425 0.351 74.1
2214 0.425 0.351 74.1 0.400 0.330 78.7
2215 0.419 0.346 75.2 0.375 0.310 84.0
2216 0.376 0.310 83.8 0.350 0.289 90.0
2219 0.337 0.278 93.5 0.340 0.281 92.6
2312 0.423 0.349 74.5 0.325 0.268 96.9
2314 0.391 0.323 80.6 0.300 0.248 105.0
2315 0.342 0.282 92.1 0.275 0.227 114.5
2317 0.297 0.245 106.1 0.250 0.206 126.0
2412 0.400 0.330 78.7 Wt. ASTM = 1.94
2413 0.365 0.301 86.3 Wt. ATA = 2
2419 0.268 0.221 117.5 L. ASTM = 28
2512 0.321 0.265 98.1 L. ATA = 26
2514 0.305 0.252 103.3 ATA Def = 0.825419 x ASTM Def
2613 0.265 0.219 118.9 ATA Spine = 26 / ATA Def.

K.C. Gerlock 8 of 8 December 2007