I would like some advice on cresting and refletching my own arrows. I have been buying and taken my arrows to be refletched to a proshop about 1.5 hrs. away. I would like to crest a few arrows but have never done it and would like some advice on the advantages and disadvantages of cresting and what I would need. Also , I would like to learn how to refletch my own arrows and don' t know how to get started. I have looked at catalogs for the equipment that I would need and don' t know which one would be better. I shoot easton XX75 2213. I would appreciate any Help, Thank You. Also, I am new to this Forum and I would like to Thank Everybody that helps people like myself learn more about their equipment and the sport. I have been bowhunting seriously for about 3 yrs. but have never really been able to find someone to help me out . Everything I learn is by reading magazines and asking questions. The proshop I go to makes me feel so uncomfortable and they make me feel they are to busy to try to help me out , unless your going to buy a bow. It' s not just me, other people feel the same way but this is the only proshop within 200 mile radius. Sorry about that, I just think this site is GREAT Thanks Again .

I' m new to this site also and find it very informative. I just logged on to ask a question about cresting myself, maybe someone can help us both. As far as fletching is concerned it' s not half as hard as you might think. Just make sure your arrows are wiped clean so the glue can adhere good. Fletch tite is a good adhesive for alum. arrows. When you set your fethers or vains in the fletching jig, make sure they are all set at the same distance from the end of the shaft. Doesn' t really matter if you useing a single fletch or multiple fletch jig, personal choice really. I use the single and it suits me well. Hope this helps.
My question is, when dipping arrows do you need a special paint or will a standard laquer be O.K.? If you use laquer do you have to thin it?

P.S. WELCOME!!!

Well lets see if I can help you guys out. I have been bowhunting for about 16 years, and just started fletching and cresting my own arrows. I fletch my own because I seem to always have problem with the dealers not using enough glue, and fletchings coming off shortly after shooting them. I have a Cabellas straight fletcher and a Bohning Cresting Kit. As far as the fletching goes it was pretty self explanatory when I bought Cabellas fletcher, I can do 3 fletchings at once. 2huntis2 pretty much answered everything about fletching your own arrows. If you plan on cresting your arrows the cresting kit comes with a shaft surface conditioner which will prepare you to crest and fletch your arrows. I think the Cabellas fletcher will work great for your setup teomacleo. When I dip my arrows I always add lacquer thinner to my white cresting lacquer. When dipping your arrows the lacquer should stop dripping off the arrow in about 20 seconds or less. If it takes longer add more thinner. I dont know if any other white lacquer will work besides what comes with the kit. I am out of White lacquer and it seems pretty expensive to order just the white lacquer. If you experiment with other lacquers let me know.

Thanks for the info Matthews. I' ll experiment with some lacquer this week on a couple of arrows and let you know how it holds up.

Well, I' ll see if I can help you a little but my magazines are at work so I might be off a little. By the way if you don' t have a Cabelas archery catalog, go to their sight and order one. www.cabelas.com First you' ll want to strip your old vanes off using a dull knife. YUP, dull. A sharp knife scratches the finish too much. Next you' ll want a few tubes so you can soak the rear of the arrow shaft in a solvent to soften the old remaining glue. After you' ve cleaned the shaft, you' ll want to dip them in a paint. Cabelas offers a kit for dipping and cresting, I believe by Bohning, anyway, get the kit and it will instruct you on everything. As far as fletching goes, just buy some vanes or feathers, a fletching jig, (Jo-Jan is the best for the buck IMHO) and some fletching glue. And there you go! I believe Bass Pro Shops also carry the same stuff in their archery catalog. Hope this helps.
www.basspro-shops.com

Bob

Thank You all for the advice, I think I am going to order the Jo-Jan fletcher and give it a try. As far as the cresting, I looked at a catalog and the kit was a little more than what I would like to spend but was just wondering how many arrows could be crested with this kit, ($139.99) Bohning kit, it maybe worth it. Also I don' t understand how the EZE-Crest wraps work, do you put them on a clean shaft with no fletching or does the wrap go around and between the fletching. Thanks

The e-z crest wraps go on the bare shaft and then you fletch the arrow. They are pretty high, about a buck each, but they look cool and there is nothing like seeing a bright white tail end of your arrow disappear behind the shoulder of a deer right at dusk. Crested arrows are easier to see in low light, and you can find them easier if you miss[>:].

I felt the same way as you guy' s so I bought a video on fletching and cresting last year. I bought the Arizona ez fletch and started experimenting. Now I dip my own arrows and find that certain felt pens work better than even paint and laquer, it' s just so much easier to do. I made my own cresting machine by using some pipe strapping, plywood and a variable speed drill. Dipping takes a little practice getting the mix just right but it looks amazing when you have a dozen arrows all done up. I bought my pens at a hobby shop. All I can say is go to a bow range and grab some old wrecked arrows and just experiment a lot! You will be a pro in no time. I even have guy' s asking me to do their arrows now. You can do anything if you have the net. Check out Bohnings website for anything you need. Good luck JDinAB

I just bought a grayling fletcher from Keystone Country stone....im gonna try and fletch some of my own, ill let you know how they come out.

I just ordered the Cabelas stright clamp flercher, should be getting it tomorrow according to the ups web site. I' ll let you know how it works out.

has anyone tried out the EZ crest wraps? If so what do you think of them?