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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: mjwhitby on August 05, 2013, 06:12:00 PM

Title: Arrow finish
Post by: mjwhitby on August 05, 2013, 06:12:00 PM
So I have ordered some cedar shaft to build. I am wanting to know if I can finish them with true oil and if so would there be a problem with certain types of fletching glue. What do you guys use?
Title: Re: Arrow finish
Post by: Echatham on August 05, 2013, 07:18:00 PM
I use gasket lacquer from 3-rivers and it's super fast and easy, makes a really strong bond with duco cement (and also e-6000 from wally world as it turns out) haven't tried true oil for arrows.
Title: Re: Arrow finish
Post by: Pat B on August 05, 2013, 10:58:00 PM
I use fletch tape with Tru-Oil finish. Let the Tru-Oil dry well and use 0000steel wool before adding the fletching.
Title: Re: Arrow finish
Post by: Mike Most on August 05, 2013, 11:29:00 PM
I am with patb, using truoil on my shafts, when I get ready to fletch, using fletch tape, I give both the feather base and the shaft a quick wipe with alcohol, to get the fingerprint grease off. Then let em set a bit, but with the hotter than heck temps we have down here they dry quick.
Title: Re: Arrow finish
Post by: john fletch on August 06, 2013, 12:07:00 AM
I have been making cedar arrows for 50 years now and a single dip of 30% thinned industrial lacquer in any color you like is sufficient.  It will take any glue you like, and there is no need to use the expensive stuff.  I started with 24SRTX and then went to a brand I forget (blue and yellow tube - they went out of business) now I use DUCO.

This is one step incredibly simple.  There are a lot of ways to finish an arrow- you can find them all on here in one thread or another.

The only thing required is a well ventilated area and a way to catch the drips.
Title: Re: Arrow finish
Post by: Jack Hoyt 75 on August 06, 2013, 12:09:00 AM
Interesting. I will have to try the tru oil soon.  If fletch tape holds I assume fletch glue would right?  Worth a test arrow I guess.
Title: Re: Arrow finish
Post by: mjwhitby on August 06, 2013, 06:25:00 PM
Awesome thanks for answering my questions. You guys are great!