Arrow fletching help (Updated with Pics, page 2)
 

OK fellow hni'ers. I'm about to embark on a trip to Cabela's in the next week or so to pick up supplies to start fletching my own arrows. If you were getting started today, what supplies would you say are a must have!!

1. Jig
2. Extra Clamp?
3. Fletching - Going to try some different ones
4. Glue - Suggestions? I'm going to be fletching the following arrows
Goldtip
Eastons
Carbon Express
5. fletch removal tool - Suggestions?
6. what do you clean your shafts with?

Anything else a newbie is forgetting?

Thanks for the help.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Extra clamp is not needed unless you mean you will be fletching in different orientations (R helical, L helical, straight, etc)

As for glue- Any of the good instant glues will work for most vanes-I liked the Pine Ridge and Goat tuff, and Arizon EZ gel. I like to use standard fletch tite/FT platinum with bohning blazer vanes or real feathers- takes longer but bonds better with those.

I bought one of those fletch scrapers around 15 years ago and used it two times- junk. I reccomend a stout blade that isn't too sharp to get off most of the vane and glue, then use very fine steel wool or *very* fine grit sandpaper to finish it off.

Clean/wipe down with Isopropyl 91% alcohol (make sure it's 91%)

Paper towel soaked in the alcohol is good for wiping along the base of the shaft if there is too much excess glue squeezing out- and soak the towel good- otherwise you'll have paper towel stuck to your arrow if using an instant/super glue.

Bohning PowerBond works great for inserts- 5 min or 24hr epoxy is good too, but powerbond is much more convenient, MUCH less messy and works just as well.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Jig- spend the money and get a Bitz, extra clamp probably not necessary.

Fletching- Blazers are most popular, but you can't beat Feathers for forgivness, and stability. They also aid in obtaining a good FOC

Glue- I've used all kinds, but Fletch-Tite Platinum is hard to beat. If you fletch feathers fletching tape works Great!

Arrows all you mentionedmake quality shafts. IMHO Carbon Express are the best all carbon shaft I have used.

You probably can do without a fletch removal tool also.

Best thing to clean your shafts with is Denatured Alcohol.

Have Fun!!

Dan

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Thanks for the info. Any one have any good links to step-by step instructions? I searched but didn't really find anything.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Great post guys!!! I was also looking for the same info... Any sites with step by step would be great help!!!
Thanks!!!!

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

I'll second the recommendation about the Bitz. jig. It may cost more, but you cannot wear it out. Mine is pushing 35 years old. They are so good that the design virtually hasn't changed in all these years. Walk into any shop that fletches arrows and see what they are using. It speaks for itself.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

OK, so I took everyone's advice and bought the Bitzenberger Jig. It's now on the bench along with a bunch of Vanetec VMaxx vanes and a tube of glue.

I stripped the old fletching off about 6 arrows and now just need to clean up the old glue. I scraped off the vanes with an old dull blade. Got most of it off except the old glue. Which I'm struggling with. I bought some Isopropyl 91% alcohol (as explained above) but haven't had time to try it out. Hopefully in the next few days I will. I'm hoping by the weekend I've got a fletched arrow or two.

Thanks again for the help. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

I know there not all the same but call ahead i was at my cabelas the other day and they didn't have
much for arrow making supplies.They did have it during season .

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Get yourself a box cutter knife, do not try to get the blade too sharp as you don't want to skin the arrow, just remove the old glue. Cleaning shafts afteris explained above.
When fletching the vanes keep within 1/2" to 3/4" from nock, for good arrow flight.
Try not to 'squeeze' the tube of glue as you will have excess glue on the vanes, just let the glue flow itself and try to move smoothly along the'valley' of the vanes. Getting the glue to the side of the vanes will cause the glue to stick to the clamp and when removing the clamp you will also raise the vane away from the arrow. Not good, you'll have to start all over again!
Rub some string wax on the edges of the clamp so as to prevent the 'excess'glue from sticking to the clamp. Make sure the surface edges of the clamp is free of excess glue so the vanes will sit flat in the clamp.
Have fun!

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

ampahunter, great advice. May give it a go later today. I think I finally have one arrow ready to go. Last person who fletched for me wasn't very neat and there is a ton of glue everywhere so it's taking a while.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Here is my first attempt.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Nice!!

Dan

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Looks pretty good to me!

Fletching is fun, if ya ask me- some people hate it, but I used to love taking a few hours to fletch up 1/2 doz arrows w/ feathers on my JoJan multifletcher!

Are those Epics an older version?

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Jeff, yeah they are probably 5 years old

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Looks good so far! Make sure to put a drop of glue on both ends of the vane...from the pic it doesn't look like there is. Might just be the pic though. Fletching is actually really easy as you are finding out....and once you get a few dozen under your belt you should be good to go. Have fun! :D

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

WV, thanks for reminding me. I did forget about doing that.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

It looks like you are getting it.For reference,if the vanes start coming off,pay close attention to how they are coming off.If the vane pops off and there is no glue left on the shaft,then the arrow wasn't prepped properly.If the glue is on the shaft,then the vanes wasn't prepped properly.


Different kinds of fletch will yield it's own set of issues and experience will teach when to do what.But,in my experience,not cleaning residue from solvents is the big killer in vane adhesion.When using superglue type gels,always clean the arrow with water after using whatever type cleaner you choose.Some vanes require extensive cleaning like blazers or flex fletch but others like easton vanes and aae vanes do not need to be touched.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

They look good!

I am about to do the same, and I have a question how far forward from the end of the arrow shaft do you position the vanes?

I am fletching with blazers, does this make a difference?

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

Honestly, I have no idea if thereis an official measurement.I think most folks set them around 3/4" to 1" from the end of the shaft. I set mine about 3/4" and have never had any problems.

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

There is somthing cool about fletching your own arrows and then shooting a good group , i was all for vanes until MeanV converted me too feathers and now i really cannot see myself going back to plastic vanes . feathers look great , fly great and gimme a little more KE . And , you don't need glue ;):D.

Bitz
right helical
barred feathers
fletching tape
personalised wraps
= cool lookin , fast flying and accurate arrows[8D]

All except wraps were supplied by MeanV .

Fletching Vanes :-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMBfcIfzB5M

Fletching Feathers :-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZDsRuYAMkk

RE: Arrow fletching help
 

I cant wait till i get more involved and start doing my own as well. I need a few more years under my belt with shooting first. im jsut about at 1 year now. =] good luck bro looks nice

RE: Arrow fletching help (Updated with Pics, page 2)
 

If you are putting to much glue on, not to worry just carefully wipe it off with a q-tip. I do that all the time, just run the q-tip along the edge of the vane. If you have to much glue just start twisting the q-tip away from the vane. I only use one tip for each side of the vane or you'll end up with a mess. I do like the Arizona ez gel(pressue sensitive), Bitz, and a razor blade knife to remove vanes. You may want to look at the new Fusion vanes from Duravane. Easier to fletch than blazer if you are doing offsets or right/left helical.