Fletching jigs
08-07-2005, 10:33 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location:
Posts: 104
Fletching jigs
I am thinking of trying to refletch my own arrows. Not for the $ since my pro shop only charges $1.00 per arrow which to me sounds like a steal. But since my work schedule rarely gives me time to make it to the pro shop when they are open. I have seen an Arizona Easy fletch for sale for about $38.00. Are these any good?? They look pretty cheap but they must work since every shop around here sells them.
I shoot Gold Tip XT5575 mainly but may switch to Gold Tip 7595 when these get used up. They are fletched with a slight (I think)a right helical.
What would be a good jig that is not too expensive and is easy to use??
I shoot Gold Tip XT5575 mainly but may switch to Gold Tip 7595 when these get used up. They are fletched with a slight (I think)a right helical.
What would be a good jig that is not too expensive and is easy to use??
08-07-2005, 11:30 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
RE: Fletching jigs
Goldtips, and every other factory fletched arrow, comes with a slight right offset straight fletch, just a couple degrees. They don't come in helical because helical fletching, though beneficial, will cause fletching contact problems on most non-dropaway rests. Not sure not well helical fletched vanes would fare through a biscuit either, but I've never tried it or seen it done. The slight right offset is better than 0 degree straight fletch at stabilizing arrows, but doesn't cause too many contact problems with launcher style rests.
Helical fletching actually wraps around the arrow shaft and if it were extended would look a lot like the rifling in the barrel of a gun turned inside out. This allows the vanes to have a lot more pitch while keeping the base of the vane in full contact with the shaft. Offset straight fletch is commonly misidentified by those who've never really seen what helical looks like because it does have a small degree of pitch. But if you looked at a straight fletch clamp you'd understand that the vane is still glued on perfectly straight and just canted a little bit, but not so much that the ends of the vane lose contact with the shaft.
I have a recommend the Bitzenburger Dial-O-Fletch. It's a very sturdy and well built jig that, once adjusted for your chosen arrow diameter, never has to be messed with again unless you change arrow diameters. I bought mine with the right helical clamp because I have drop-away rests on both my bow and my wifes. Helical is without a doubt the way to go if your setup will allow it. Otherwise get the straight clamp. I used the 2" Blazer vanes with as much helical as I can get. They work very well. The Bitzenberger allows me to choose the standard 120deg 3-fletch (my preference), 90deg 4-fletch, and an oddball 75-105deg four fletch (must be a finger shooting thing?). It's a good unit, but it is the most expensive single-arrow jig out there. I got it because I know it's built to last unlike it's plastic bretheren.
Mike
Helical fletching actually wraps around the arrow shaft and if it were extended would look a lot like the rifling in the barrel of a gun turned inside out. This allows the vanes to have a lot more pitch while keeping the base of the vane in full contact with the shaft. Offset straight fletch is commonly misidentified by those who've never really seen what helical looks like because it does have a small degree of pitch. But if you looked at a straight fletch clamp you'd understand that the vane is still glued on perfectly straight and just canted a little bit, but not so much that the ends of the vane lose contact with the shaft.
I have a recommend the Bitzenburger Dial-O-Fletch. It's a very sturdy and well built jig that, once adjusted for your chosen arrow diameter, never has to be messed with again unless you change arrow diameters. I bought mine with the right helical clamp because I have drop-away rests on both my bow and my wifes. Helical is without a doubt the way to go if your setup will allow it. Otherwise get the straight clamp. I used the 2" Blazer vanes with as much helical as I can get. They work very well. The Bitzenberger allows me to choose the standard 120deg 3-fletch (my preference), 90deg 4-fletch, and an oddball 75-105deg four fletch (must be a finger shooting thing?
). It's a good unit, but it is the most expensive single-arrow jig out there. I got it because I know it's built to last unlike it's plastic bretheren.Mike
08-08-2005, 08:06 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,784
RE: Fletching jigs
I have used the Bitzenburger jig on a few occasions and can vouch for it's quality and performance. In my opinion it is the best jig on the market. For my needs I decided to go with the Jo-Jan mono fletcher. It is available for about 1/2 the price of the Bitz. Like the Bitz, the Jo-Jan is also an all metal jig. The standard jig comes with a straight clamp that is adjustable for left or right offset and 0 - 2 degrees. Or, for the same price, you can buy their helical fletcher which comes with your choice of a left or right helical clamp capable of 11 degrees helical.
I've also used the Arizona EZ fletch and had no problems with it. It was easy to use. One big advantage this jig has is that you canapply all of your fletchings at once. Rather than 1 by1 like the Bitz and Jo-Jan.
I've also used the Arizona EZ fletch and had no problems with it. It was easy to use. One big advantage this jig has is that you canapply all of your fletchings at once. Rather than 1 by1 like the Bitz and Jo-Jan.
08-08-2005, 07:27 PM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 493
RE: Fletching jigs
ORIGINAL: driftrider
Goldtips, and every other factory fletched arrow, comes with a slight right offset straight fletch, just a couple degrees. They don't come in helical because helical fletching, though beneficial, will cause fletching contact problems on most non-dropaway rests. Not sure not well helical fletched vanes would fare through a biscuit either, but I've never tried it or seen it done. The slight right offset is better than 0 degree straight fletch at stabilizing arrows, but doesn't cause too many contact problems with launcher style rests.
Helical fletching actually wraps around the arrow shaft and if it were extended would look a lot like the rifling in the barrel of a gun turned inside out. This allows the vanes to have a lot more pitch while keeping the base of the vane in full contact with the shaft. Offset straight fletch is commonly misidentified by those who've never really seen what helical looks like because it does have a small degree of pitch. But if you looked at a straight fletch clamp you'd understand that the vane is still glued on perfectly straight and just canted a little bit, but not so much that the ends of the vane lose contact with the shaft.
I have a recommend the Bitzenburger Dial-O-Fletch. It's a very sturdy and well built jig that, once adjusted for your chosen arrow diameter, never has to be messed with again unless you change arrow diameters. I bought mine with the right helical clamp because I have drop-away rests on both my bow and my wifes. Helical is without a doubt the way to go if your setup will allow it. Otherwise get the straight clamp. I used the 2" Blazer vanes with as much helical as I can get. They work very well. The Bitzenberger allows me to choose the standard 120deg 3-fletch (my preference), 90deg 4-fletch, and an oddball 75-105deg four fletch (must be a finger shooting thing?). It's a good unit, but it is the most expensive single-arrow jig out there. I got it because I know it's built to last unlike it's plastic bretheren.
Mike
Goldtips, and every other factory fletched arrow, comes with a slight right offset straight fletch, just a couple degrees. They don't come in helical because helical fletching, though beneficial, will cause fletching contact problems on most non-dropaway rests. Not sure not well helical fletched vanes would fare through a biscuit either, but I've never tried it or seen it done. The slight right offset is better than 0 degree straight fletch at stabilizing arrows, but doesn't cause too many contact problems with launcher style rests.
Helical fletching actually wraps around the arrow shaft and if it were extended would look a lot like the rifling in the barrel of a gun turned inside out. This allows the vanes to have a lot more pitch while keeping the base of the vane in full contact with the shaft. Offset straight fletch is commonly misidentified by those who've never really seen what helical looks like because it does have a small degree of pitch. But if you looked at a straight fletch clamp you'd understand that the vane is still glued on perfectly straight and just canted a little bit, but not so much that the ends of the vane lose contact with the shaft.
I have a recommend the Bitzenburger Dial-O-Fletch. It's a very sturdy and well built jig that, once adjusted for your chosen arrow diameter, never has to be messed with again unless you change arrow diameters. I bought mine with the right helical clamp because I have drop-away rests on both my bow and my wifes. Helical is without a doubt the way to go if your setup will allow it. Otherwise get the straight clamp. I used the 2" Blazer vanes with as much helical as I can get. They work very well. The Bitzenberger allows me to choose the standard 120deg 3-fletch (my preference), 90deg 4-fletch, and an oddball 75-105deg four fletch (must be a finger shooting thing?
). It's a good unit, but it is the most expensive single-arrow jig out there. I got it because I know it's built to last unlike it's plastic bretheren.Mike
My buddy shoots left helical vanes thru his Whisker Biscuit rest with no problems. He consistantly takes bucks out to 50 yds with his bow.
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