Bitz fletcher issue

jmac_or · 05-05-2004, 10:49 AM

I was just fletching up some arrows, and I noticed a strange thing. I have the 3x120 right helical jig. What I noticed was that the vanes are not evenly spaced on the arrows. I have two that are closer together. I have not noticed a difference in flight, but I am wondering if the jig is wearing or if there is a fix for this? Anyone else seen this? Was there a solution if you did?

Thanks,
JMAC

mrfritz44 · 05-05-2004, 11:29 AM

I've found I occasionally get this when I press the feather onto the shaft too hard. I like alot of helical so full shaft contact can be touchy from time to time, and added pressure solves this, but it also causes slight misalignments.

Make sure your allen head screws are set correctly. They should be set so that the desired angle screw is just under flush with the jig. The others should be well above flush. The result is a cylinder that snaps into place and resists movement.

Someone check me on what I said above....I at work and can't reference the jig.

Black Frog · 05-05-2004, 11:38 AM

How old is your bitz?

I have noticed on some bitz jigs that the indents for the nock positions are a little sloppy over time. What I do is click to the new index position (for the fletch about to go on), then go past that indent a little, and then come back to it. If my vane positions were off I would notice it on my thin diameter outdoor shafts, and they all look good to me.

I do believe that there is an adjustment for how much tension the spring puts on the indent ball as well? trying to remember here at work..... tightening that up a little may provide for better detent positioning as well.

JOE PA · 05-05-2004, 12:47 PM

I had the same thing as you. On the 3X120, the spaces were uneven. It didn't matter whether I was trying to fletch helical or straight offset.[:'(]

I got the TM nock adaptor, and the spacing on that one is good. I wanted to fletch that way anyhow, so it worked out, although it cost a little more to get it working right.

WA Shooter · 05-05-2004, 06:18 PM

I've had it do the same thing, I think it was because I didn't have the nock receiver positively seated to the next position. i just scrape off the vane and do it again.

jmac_or · 05-05-2004, 07:00 PM

I have checked the setting of the set screws and it appears fine. It does definitely click into the next setting each time, but I am still going to play a bit more. Like I said, I have not seen any flight issues, and it actually gives a little better clearance on my 3D Rover. I will be checking next week to see if flight is effected at longer distances.

JMAC

Bigpapascout · 05-05-2004, 08:58 PM

on the reciever end of the Jig there is 3 set screws, the one on the top is for right wing the other two need to be backed off
also make sure the nock reciever is the correct one for the clamp you are using.

Olink · 05-06-2004, 04:51 AM

I've run into this situation and it wasn't due to anything wrong with the Bitz - it was because the nocks I use fit loosely into the receiver. When you put an arrow in the jig, try to twist the arrow back and forth. If there is any play and the arrow even moves just a bit, this could be your problem. When I fletch I will twist the arrow towards me and will hold it in that position until the fletch is fastened. My arrows probably only have about 1/32" of play in the receiver, but if I don't account for this play the same way for each fletch, I will notice uneven spacing.

jmac_or · 05-06-2004, 08:43 AM

I had not thought of that olink. I do use the smaller G-nocks, so that my be part of the issue. Thanks
JMAC

98Redline · 05-06-2004, 11:12 PM

I have fletched my ACCs with G-nocks and a bitz and have had no problems.

The one thing I have done that resulted is some SERIOUSLY unevenly spaced fletches is to take the arrow out of the jig to look at it after putting a fletch on, then mistakenly inserting it back, 180 degrees out from the position it was originally in. When you look at the fletches, you can tell right away something is screwed up.