What do the jigs some of you use to grind feather for fletching?
I am interested in starting this myself.
I don't grind, I just strip and put in the chopper. Works great and less time consuming means more a time a shooting..
But I would also love to see some grinder set-ups.
TTT
I use the Great Northern that 3R's sells. Works great.
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?c=52&s=8&p=36&i=5046
I just strip the feathers with a razor blade or surgical scalpel and then sand them with a sanding block. To hold them, I use a couple of door shims, place the feather in between with just the quill/base showing. I trim them as much as possible with the razor blade and they usually only require a small amount of sanding.
I don't know if this is the fastest way, but it is easy and definately cheap.
I use a home made one similar to the one described in Dean's article. http://www.bowyersedge.com/feather.html
If you read the article, it'll explain everything so you can make one of your own. You don't HAVE to strip off the unused side of the feather if you don't want to. The sanding drum will zip it right off as you go. It just makes a bit bigger mess. Clamp a shop vac hose next to the sanding drum to keep dust to a minimum, and wear a dust mask and eye protection! Once your guide fence is set up (or roller guide disc) You can make quick work of a bag of feathers.
Here is an earlier thread on the subject.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=031841
Dennis