10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Because its really very simple, I figured I would throw together a quick n' easy how-to for you fine folks.

I used an Arizona E-Z Fletch, Lone Peak Arrow Wraps, Bohning Fletch Tite Platinum, and Blazer vanes.

Step 1:

Peel your wrap from its backing.



Step 2 and 3:

Lay the wrap adhesive side up. Line your arrow up with the edge of the wrap.



Step 4:

While pressing down slightly, roll your arrow forward across the wrap. As you roll, make sure that the beginning edge of your wrap is stuck well to your arrow.




Step 5:

Take the cap off of your Arizona E-Z Fletch and use one hand to open the three prongs of the tool.



Step 6:

Place three vanes of your choosing (I prefer Blazers) into the slots provided in the prongs of the tool.



Step 7 and 8:

Run a good bead of fletching glue down the edge of each of your vanes. Place your freshly wrapped arrow into the hole in the bottom of the fletch tool.



Step 9:

Close the prongs around your arrow and slide the cap down the length of it. Apply pressure to the points where the fletching meet the arrow.



Set aside for several minutes to allow the glue to dry.

Step 10:

Remove the cap from the fletching tool and remove your arrow.Set the nock however you plan to shoot (cock vane down, up, etc).



Enjoy your newly wrapped and fletched arrows!



Its a lot easier than some people think. The only problem I have with the Arizona E-Z Fletch is that you can't really get a good deal of helical on the vanes. You can get a smidge, but nothing extreme.

Enjoy folks, hope this helps some of you.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Great post, Dan!! Thanks for the time and effort.

The only tip I would throw in is to have a magazine under your arrow when you wrap them. Sometimes wrapping on a hard surface causes major wrinkles. A mouse pad works equally as well.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Great point, Mobow.

I actually had to throw away one wrap while I was making this. I forgot to put something soft/firm undernieth the arrow before O started to wrap it. Came out wrinkled and crooked to boot.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Also, ditching that Bohning glue and switch to some Goat Tuff... ;)
I cant wait to start fletching my own arrows...just gotta wait for the package with all the stuff.
Thanks for the post, very helpful!

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Oh man, I can't stand Goat Tuff. That crap is the hardest to remove if you fletch the vanes directly to the arrow.The Fltech Tite works fantastic in combination with the wraps though, I've never had one come off unless I was peeling it off myself.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Another thing I should probably mention regards removal.

Use your wife/significant other's hair dryer to heat the shaft/wrap up before you try peeling it. They come off a lot easier if you take a couple minutes to heat them up first.

You can also hold them over the burner of a coleman stove if you need to re-wrap one at deer camp.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

just another suggestion - when using platinum, the glue bonds really well, but it almost takes a full 24 hours to fully seat the glue. 1 minute in the clamp, then let it dry over night. It will pull the fletch down onto the shaft.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Be careful with that glue on your keyboard, that could get messy, lol.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Thanks Dan, I fletch my own arrows and have wanted to try wraps, I just didn't know where to start. I'll let you know how they turn out.
Thanks again, Greg

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

I've always wanted someone to do a post like this. No that I see how easy it is I may give it a shot. Thanks!

Question: Is there another jig that will allow you to add helical to your arrows and still be this easy to use?

Thanks

Tom

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

This is an honest question so don't laugh for me not knowing...
What is the purpose of the wraps? Is it to personalize your arrow and make it look fancy or is there a more useful purpose behind it? I ask because I just purchased an Arizona E-Z flets and some vanes and want to try fletching my own, but if there is a useful purpose behind the wraps I guess I should consider that too.
Thanks,
Navy

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Easier to find your arrow after a shot and easier to see where you hit an animal.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

How So?

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

That is a great tip Dan...I had not thought of that...
Thanks

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

By looking at the white of the wrap, you can easily determind the kind of blood, or if it wasnt a good hit, other body matter, that is on the arrow.
Is it covered in bright red blood, maybe with some lung material on it? If so, it means a good hit. Dark red blood...might meant you hit the deer in the liver. Green stuff, slimey looking wrap with a tinge of funky odor too it? Means that most likely you had a gut or stomach shot.
I used to use dipped arrows, then went to wraps. I doubt I will ever go back, especially since I now make my own arrows.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Very nice post..how-to guides are always very helpfull!

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Been thinking about doing this for some time now, great tips...Thanks!! Couple questions tho...does the additional weight change flight pattern of the arrow and after a pass through, I normally clean the arrow off with hot water, will this cause the wrap to come off??

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Thanks Washington for the tutorial. I've been wanting to learn how to do this. Right now I have about 14 arrows that need to be refletched........mostly due to practicing. I checked with some places that do that and they want $2.00 to $2.50 per arrow...YIKES. Now, please tell me how to get the old vanes off.
Thanks, Diann

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Great post, Dan.

Navy... I cap my arrows (same concept, I just do it with actual paint) so that I can follow the flight of the arrow better, and I can find my arrows after they're shot a LOT easier when they're sticking in the ground. It's amazing how you can sit in a treestand for hours and hours, but the simple act of climbing 20' down changes the look of EVERYTHING you've just been studying all that time.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Let's see if I can answer all these questions! If I miss one, let me know and I'll be sure to help you out.

Stat - Yes, there are are fletching jigs out there that will allow for more helical; take a look at the Jo-Jan or the Bitzenburg (sp?). These two jigs take a little longer as you're only able to glue one vane at a time.

Navy - Not only do the wraps allow you to find your arrows easier after the shot (they're bright and stick out more than the surrounding foliage), but they also allow you to see your arrow better in flight. Add to that the fact that blood shows up amazingly well on them and you have a great product!

Kenman - The additional weight doesn't affect your arrow flight one bit. As for cleaning them off, its a lot easier (I think) than cleaning vanes glued directly to the shaft. Heat the wrap/shaft up with either a hair dryer or holding it over a burner on your stove and then simply peel the wrap off, the vanes will come off with it. If there is any glue residue on the shaft, just use a paper towel with a little rubbing alcohol to wipe it off.

MOM - I just use a dull pocket knife to scrape the vanes off. A butter knife (non-serrated of course) will work equally as well. Just use a little pressure and scrape the old vanes and glue off the arrow shaft.

I think I got to everyone. If I missed one of your questions or if another pops into your head feel free to ask.:)

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Thx Dan, I'm all over it!!

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Great post WH. I Take it one step farther and make my own wraps. I go to sign makers and get their vinyl scraps that are too small for them to use. They will gladly give you them for free. Get what ever colors you like. I like white or orange.I then use a paper cutter draw knife and cut them 1''X5"-6".
Crests or wraps, whatever you want to call them, are usually at least $1.00 a piece in the archery store. Wraps make your fletch adhere better to the arrow, they give your arrow a custom look, and they make the arrow easier to see after the shot and they look nice for photos after the kill.I made these for Hoytgirl's bearhunt and wanted her to have some fresh nice looking arrows for photos. I use a zip strip to remove old wraps and a bitzenberger fletcher to refletch. I just wanted to share with you all about how to get wraps for free and trick your arrows out. HCH



Here are some new ones I did last night for my new Easton A/C/C's.

See how nice they look in a photo.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

HCH, that's a great idea. We've got a window decal place just down the street from me, though they do more tinting than anything. I'll have to stop in sometime and see if they've got any scraps.

The Lone Peak wraps I use are only $7.99 per dozen, which isn't too bad compared to some which cost around $15 a dozen.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Yea WH, any of the vinyl sign makers stuff will work. They have different mils too so you can go real thin if you want. Most of it is 3M vinyl. I came up with this idea as I have a couple of clients that make do vinyl lettering on vehicles. Gives me anice satisfaction knowing you makemy own too. HCH

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

I just looked up the JoJan and the blitzberg and it seems that you either have to buy a standard or helical so the same machine can't do both. I was surprised. The JoJan also makes you pick the degree of helical right off the bat. Also surprised.

Tom

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Thanks for the answers. Looks like yet another hobby to add to my list. Thankfully we just bought a new house and I'll finally have a work shop to be able to do stuff like this in. Appreciate the insight.
Navy

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Could we please get some more info on the supplies (jigs, wraps, vanes, glue), brands you recomend, where to get them, and how much it costs to get set up? I am tired of paying $2 - $3 to get my arrows fixed after practicing alot. Thanks alot.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Arizona E-Z Fletch - $44.99
Wraps - $7.99 - $17.99
Blazer Vanes - $14.99
Bohning Fletch-Tite Platinum - $3.99

Prices were taken from Bass Pro Shops' 2006 archery catalog.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

awsome post there W/H BEEN MEANING TRYING TO DO MY OWN ARROWS FOR A WHILE NOW, :D
ALSO THANKS THERE FOR THE TIP THERE HCH ,NOTHING BETTER THEN FREE -BIES;)

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Thanks, we have the Bass Pro Shops headquarters down in Springfield....I may have to make a run Friday night. The wife is out of town until Sunday- SSSSHHHHHHHH....DON'T TELL HER!!!!!

I promised her I was done spending for a while. I think I know how all the drug adicts feel now- I CAN'T STOP!!!!! Time for Hunter's Anonymous?

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

If she finds out, just explain to her how much money you'll save over the years by not having to pay someone else to do it for you!

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Or how much I have to keep spending in order to do more of the stuff on my own?? LOL!!!!

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Just fletched four of my dad's arrows for him.



Took me about a half hour, but I was surfing here and chatting with friends while doing it.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Someone here asked why....There are the practical reasons that have already been mentioned, but let's face it....Archery is very personalized and it's about how good it looks. ESPECIALLY when it comes to arrows. Wrapping or cresting is the best way to get a look that no one else has.

While we're posting photos.....

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Exactly Mobo. This isn't limited to compounds either. Here is my traditional setup with some cedar arrows I fletched and crested myself with paint.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

I think this was an awesome post. Thank you. I am looking forward to fletching my own arrows after this season is over, and virtually watching you do it has proven to be a great help. Thanks again for taking the time to put it together.
DW

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

Well i dont know about making my arrows look cool, Since i dont really care, as long as it flys straight and kills what im shooting at then thats cool enough for me.

And i also dont like the bright wraps. Like were getting all dressed up in our camo to be UNSEEN, then we have these bright a** arrows sticking out of our bow. Like to me that just kinda defets the pourpose (i think).

But i will be using wraps here soon but they will be black or dark green. But its just gonna be for when i refletch my arrows i dont have any glue on my shaft. and thats it.

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

But great post by the way!!!!

RE: 10 steps for wrapping and fletching your own arrows
 

The only prey you have to worry about with the color is turkey and I am in my Double Bull then. These bright colors make for finding your arrow after the shot and filming much better. I have never had a deer or bear run cause I had bright fletches or wraps. Animals except for birds are color blind. HCH