Blazer Vane Help
 

I bought some of the Blazer vanes a while back and shot them for a while and really liked them. Very accurate and durable. Problem is, I can not for life of me get them to stick consistantly.

I tried using 3 different glues, all of which are the instant types. AAE fast set, Bohning XT and a regular run of the mill super glue. None of which seems to work for me.

I rough up my shafts with fine sandpaper, clean with denatured alchohol, let dry over night and fletch. With other vanes like AAE's, Bohning vanes and such, you can't pull them off. You have to cut them off. But the Blazers usually fall off by themselves.

I quit using them for a while, but decided to give them another try because I really do like them. What i have been noticing is that the glue sticks very well to the shaft, just not the vane itself. Could I have gotten a couple packs of duds? They seem very stiff, but its my understanding that thats the way they are.

Any insight would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Try cleaning the bottom of the vane itself with denatured alcohol. Simply dip a q-tip in the alcohol and then wipe the bottom of the vane a few times with is and then let air dry. Make sure you use a clean q-tip with every vane. ;)

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

I post this all of the time and no one seems to listen.

All you need to do to prepare a carbon shaft for fletching is to wipe down the shaft with a clean rag wet with water and let dry.

All you arte doing when you sand a carbon shaft is creating very fine carbon dust that you can not remove 100% even with alcohol.

I have fletched several dozen carbon shafts with blazer vanes and they will stick just fine if you do this. Glues I have used are AAE fast set gel, Quantum, Zap-a-gap, & Bohning platnum.

Do not clean the bottom of the blazer vanes. They are treated with a chemical that helps adhesion.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

ditto

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Muzzy, I've only used the Bohning Platinum glue on my Blazers so far. I've never had one come loose yet.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Bigbulls, I understand what you're saying and it does make sense. But what I don't get is that I have done it this way with other vanes with no problems what so ever.

I am fletching in my basement where its a little damp, not much, but a little. Think this has anything to do with it?

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

I clean with ajax and water on a scotch brite pad. I also wipe the blazer down with this. You could not get one of my blazers off. This comes from trying ten different ways and it works. I use either beyond bond or fletch tite.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

I lightly sand the base of the Blazer (and other Bohning vanes) and it seems to help. I've heard before that they are treated to adhere, but usually when I lose a Bohning vane, the glue is still tight to the shaft but the vane has popped off. I don't know what the treatment chemical is, or whether it really works with all cements and superglues. I have had decent luck with Bohning Quantum XT.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Your other vanes also have had twice the contact surface that the blazers do.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

While on the blazers, which is the best way to fletch them, offset, helical or straight? and does it also depend on the type of rest used?

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

I fletched a set of Easton ST Axis with blazers. I scraped off the originals and used acetone to clean off the residue. Put the blazers on with Fletch Tite, but they didn't hold at all. The glue stayed on the blazers, but peeled right off the shafts. You could practically flick them off the arrow shaft like they were bugs.

So, should I have cleaned the arrow shafts with something after using the acetone? I'm guessing there must have been some acetone remaining.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Muzzy---get yourself a tube of PINE RIDGE INSTANT ARROW GLUE---I also use the blazer vanes and have not had any problems what-so-ever.
http://www.pineridgearchery.com/

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

The only way that I have applied the Blazer vanes was with wraps. Using wraps, completely eliminates any problems with cleaning the shaft. I use Fastset gel glue and the only vanes that have come off were shot off with another arrow.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

The thing I've noticed is that its not the adhesion to the shaft but the adhesion to the vane itself. The other thing is its not always consistant. I have a couple arrows that are they seem to be sticking to very well.

I"m stumped, I don't know what else to try.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Muzzy--check and confirm the clamp holding the vane sits/rest perfectly on the arrow.
Check this without inserting a vane in the clamp--if there's NO space between the clamp and the arrow then you're set up right.
Wipe your arrows with some dishing washing soap mixed with water--wipe dry--let them sit for a while and use the Pine Ridge Instant Arrow Glue.
Problem solved!!

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Just an update..........

I tried something tonight that was mentioned by someone in this post. I took some fine sandpaper and scuffed up the bottom of the vanes until they were "dull" looking. Then fletched and they seem to be holding a lot better.

Ampa, I did what you suggested a while back because I did notice that if they don't sit perfectly on the clamp you can't get a flush surface and they won't stick.

I really like these vanes and won't give up on them.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

I like to use goat tuff. It is a little pricey but I have glued the blazers to wraps or bare shafts w/ no problems. It even glues in 10 seconds.

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

listen to me dude! i had the same prob just last week and me and my buddy sat in his shop for hours on end trying to figur it out so i tryed wut bigbull said and the dude is right dont use sandpaper the thing with a viner grit is it's just not leaving much dust on the shaft no sandpaper theres no magical way to fletch an arrowtake the bigbull mans advice i have shot mine threw a basketball and there still holdin!

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

Get you a bottle of GOAT TUFF glue and that should help , never had one come off yet , I fletch my blazers on cresting tape too .....I do not wipe the bottom of the blazers as Bohning says it is not needed ....

RE: Blazer Vane Help
 

After you used the acetone , you should use some soapy water and not use toooo much glue ..