I' ve been fletching my own arrows for over 25 years. I like the sanders arrow stripper but a dull knife works fine. I still soak my stripped shafts down in acetone to remove ALL the glue on the shaft. Then I rub them smooth with a cloth (diaper type material is great) soaked in the acetone to finish cleaning. I then let the shafts dry and dip them again, this time in Bohning shaft prep solution before i re-fletch them. I have always used fletch tite cement without any problems. I think preping the shafts are the key.
As far as which type of arrow guidance to use, vanes are easier to set. Just make sure you wipe the bottoms with the cloth dipped in acetone. You will actually see a little of the vanes color come off on the cloth, don' t worry it then sets great.
I have shot both vanes and feathers over the years and prefer Gateway Feathers, but thats just my choice.
I have always used Blitzenbergers, they are expensive but they last.
Good luck.
bMott