New to fletching
 

Im wanting to start fletching my own arrows...but im a total newbie at this

I was wondering what a good set up would be for a rookie at this?

What jig do you recommend? Whatother things wouldI need?

Obviously Ill need glue...and vanes/feathers....anything else?

Thanks for any help guys:D

RE: New to fletching
 

There are a lot of fancier jigs out there, which I'm sure others will recommend. However, the Arizona EZ Fletch works great for me. Its pretty simple to use, and you get a fully fletched arrow every time. I've got two of them and have fletched probably 10 dozen arrows with each with no problems.

RE: New to fletching
 

I use the bohning jig. I bought the whole kit for $65. It resembles the bitz but I am sure it probably isn't quite as good of a setup but Iwas only planning on refletching my own arrows and maybe some friends and relatives when i bought it so this setup works just fine for me seeing I dont have to refletch 10 dozen arrows. The kit comes with the jig (mine is the right helical clamp) an assortment of vanes including blazer, glue, nocks, and instruction video and booklet (the instructions arenot real great but good enough to explain how to get going). I used the supplied vanes as test setups and when i figured out what I was doing I bought some wraps and color matched vanes to make them look unique. Do yourself a favor and do some research on vane types and materials. Like everything there is more to fletching than meets the eye but it isnt rocket science either. I think most any fletching jig will do a good job. It more or less comes down to how much you want to spend and what your needs are. Good luck

RE: New to fletching
 

I type this as I am fletching my own arrows...lets see, what am I using:

1. Bitz with right helical ($40)
2. A mess load of Blazer vanes ($9.99)
3. Goat Tuff glue (watch out! this stuff has been known to glue fingers together!) ($12)
4. Cotton swabs (to wipe away excess glue when vane is applied to shaft) ($2.99)
5. ASD tool (to double check the squareness of my shafts) ($26)
6. Pine Ridge Arrow Inspector (for final inspection/rolling) ($12)
7. A damp towel to wipe away any oils on the shaft prior to applying the vane. ($0.99 towel, free water)
8. Very fine sand paper (to remove any old glue - if re-fletching) ($3.99)
9. Wraps from Onestringer (these are the best) ($9.00 shipped to your door!)
10. Exacto knife ($2.99)
11. Six pack of Sam Adams White Ale....to keep me focused and steady! ($9.99)

Best of luck!

RE: New to fletching
 

What is this? Im not familiar

RE: New to fletching
 

ASD = Arrow Squaring Device

It is made by G5. It will square an arrow's end (carbon or aluminum) and it will square up an insert.

I bought mine for cheap on ebay.

Essential to every archer's tool kit IMO.

http://g5outdoors.com/#sec_asdtool

RE: New to fletching
 

Prior to fletching, I'll spin the shaft on the Pine Ridge Arrow Inspector and then use the ASD to shape up the ends of my arrow. Sometimes an arrow after it is cut will have burs that should be removed prior to inserting an insert or nock.

Then I will glue in the insert and insert the nock.

IMO you must have your nock end as square as possible before you fletch. I have seen individuals cut arrows, insert a nock and use a fletching jig only to have poor results. (aka mis-aligned vanes due to the mis-alignment of the nock into the shaft)

A square nock will ensure that your arrow sits properly in the fletching device.

Best of luck!

RE: New to fletching
 

Thanks alot MDBUCKHUNTER, nice tips...im buying a jig tommorow...(still not sure what kind still) and then ill be giving it a shot....Im gonna guess that the best way to learn is to try it yourself...nothing can replacehands-on experience

RE: New to fletching
 

I wish you luck. There is nothing better than hitting bullseyes or harvesting an animal with an arrow you constructed yourself.

Fletching is very easy to do. Patience is key.

I recommend getting a Bitz off of ebay if you want to save money and have time to wait for it to ship. Bitz will last a lifetime.

Otherwise I say buy anything else that is a metal product. The Arizona EZ Fletch, although a very good tool,is plastic and will, if left in the sun/car, will warp and you will be out that money.

Show us some pictures when you are finished!