Need help w/ recycling sign

Question

I'm trying to put together a pretty basic recycling sign but I can't figure out how much bend to put on the arrows to make a circle.
This is what I'm trying to get.
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-5570467-recycling-icons.php
I've been trying various bend percentages w/ the arch tool, but every variation I try ends up looking off when I arrange them into the circle...anyone know what I'm doing wrong and/or need to do to make a legit circle?
Thanks in advance for the help!

Answer 1

MHM,
You may, using X=Y=0 as centre:
1) Create two concentric circles corresponding to the outer and inner side of the curved shaft;
2) Create a somewhat larger centred circle to hold everything else for correct rotation;
3) Create a straight path from the centre with a length corresponding to the inner diameter (or the average diameter) of 1);
4) Rotate a copy of the path with the outer centre to get the arc you wish between them;
5) Counter rotate the copy path from 4) if you want the butt end of the arrow skewed like in the link, possibly to match the angle of the arrowhead;
6) Select the paths and the circles 1) and Pathfinder>Divide;
7) Create a triangle to be the head, place it by its end, and Pathfinder>Add to shape area;
8) Object>Rotate 120 degrees twice as copies with the large;
9) Delete the large circle.