Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: WilliamMcC on April 04, 2008, 02:23:00 PM
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Hey everyone,
I am looking to build a left wing fletching jig. I have one jig now but I hate putting on one fletching at a time, specially when those jo-jen multi fletching jig look longingly up at me from the 3 rivers catalog. However, I cant justify spending 100$ on one.
Have any of you made a fletching jig before? Any ideas? I just thought I would use the one I have a guide. The only part I can wook out is how to get the twist in the clamp.
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You can or cant get the twist worked out? I've made 'em from scrap wood before. Long piece 28" for the base, three uprights ~6" tall with a V cut down from the top about two inches deep. The V notch matches the size of the two pieces of cedar clapboard siding I'd cut down to fit the length of the fletch plus and inch or two.
I couldn't get helical but could get offset by making the cedar pieces thinner than the notch was wide and using shims front and back on opposite sides to make it skewed.
I found it was a pain in the butt and bought a bitzenburger. Get a good fletching jig. They are worth the price.
Or if the one fletch at a time thing is too slow for ya , switch to fletch tape, it goes on as fast as you can set the clamp. Super quick and with a dab of glue fore and aft on the fletch it'll hold on good I'm told(by a guy that makes arras fer a livin')
Off to make a jig for the router to make arrow shafts......
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I have seen the jojan multi fletcher for around $70 on the big auction site. New in the box.
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Ya Cant Go Wrong with a Bitzenberger Fletcher!! :readit: Money Well Spent in My Opinion. :goldtooth:
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Minuteman, let us know how the shafting jig goes. Last week I turned out a doz. maple shafts just messin' around in the shop, simple method.
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There is an Aussie archery site on the web where a guy tells how he made one. I duplicated it and it does work but is kind of tedious to use. It involves two plywood discs and six thin metal strips. The arrows I made turned out ok.
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Go with your current fletcher and spend your money on a roll of fletch tape. It is a cheap alternative and I promise your worries of having to wait will be gone.
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WilliamMcC
Check your PM
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I had the jo jan multifletch and 6 Bitz's. Bought a roll of fletch tape and sold the jo jan and 5 of the Bitz's and lived happily ever after. I think you could spend your time more profitably than trying to reinvent the wheel but then us trad guys are a hard headed bunch so do what ever flips your dipper.
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I just told a friend the same thing tonight, I refletched 6 carbons for his 10 year old with feathers in 20 minutes using a grayling, plastic version of a Bitz. Helical, 4 inch. Just put the feather in the clamp, put the fletching tape on, cut, peel of red strip, place on arrow, press down, open clamp and repeat. Its just that easy and fast, dont have to wait 5-10 minutes for one feather to dry. And the feathers stay on like steel!
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Here is a jig I made a few years ago
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/IMAG0012.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/IMAG0013.jpg)
Maybe not what you're looking for?
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Ooops,,, try this link
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/IMAG0012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/IMAG0013.jpg
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Nope, I'll try and get a bigger pic up later, sorry!
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Osagetree/IMG_0235.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Osagetree/IMG_0233.jpg)
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that looks arwsome osagetree! is it possible to get a left wing helical with some home made like that?