Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: MCNSC on February 17, 2023, 03:31:48 PM

Title: Super glue for fletching
Post by: MCNSC on February 17, 2023, 03:31:48 PM
Quick question, anyone used regular super glue for fletching? I’ve always used the gel type. Wasn’t sure if the regular would work as well.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: BAK on February 17, 2023, 04:19:07 PM
I have used it with no ill affects.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 17, 2023, 05:44:45 PM
It works well.
Have you ever tried the fletch tape?
Very quick and easy.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: MCNSC on February 17, 2023, 07:11:40 PM
Roy , I have used fletch tape , I’m one of those that just can’t get it to stick. I sure wish it would work for me it is easy. I always cleaned the shafts even rubbed them with scotch Brite. Maybe I just got some bad tape, I still have a couple rolls of it but it’s old now. Maybe I’ll get another roll whenever I order some supplies.
 Wife was at the store and was supposed to pick up the gel super glue, she got the regular. Was wanting to fletch some shafts this evening but think I’ll wait till I can get the gel.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Pine on February 17, 2023, 08:21:47 PM
Works good BUT, if you use it on wood arrows with like wipe on poly, you will get a cloudy appearance on the wood between the fletching.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Trenton G. on February 17, 2023, 08:52:16 PM
I use regular lok tite and it works great! My feathers will rip off long before the quill does, just make sure to clean the shaft with some alcohol before gluing up.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Kirkll on February 17, 2023, 10:03:52 PM
Roy , I have used fletch tape , I’m one of those that just can’t get it to stick. I sure wish it would work for me it is easy. I always cleaned the shafts even rubbed them with scotch Brite. Maybe I just got some bad tape, I still have a couple rolls of it but it’s old now. Maybe I’ll get another roll whenever I order some supplies.
 Wife was at the store and was supposed to pick up the gel super glue, she got the regular. Was wanting to fletch some shafts this evening but think I’ll wait till I can get the gel.

You don't need the gel type for fletching, but you definitely want the thick viscosity stuff.

This is what i use....It comes with some pretty cool micro tips so you don't glue slop the fletching.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C32ML9Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: JR Chambers on February 18, 2023, 02:03:09 AM
I still use fletch tite
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Buggs on February 18, 2023, 09:09:03 AM
I've used everything over the years. Duco, Fletchtite, CA, contact cement, tape, etc....
Contact cement is the fastest if you are doing a lot of arrows, but the tape is easiest.
Gel CA works good, but sets up too slow, for me, compared to contact or tape. CA also seems to have the shortest lifespan for fletching.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 18, 2023, 09:48:12 AM
Kirk, that Starbond super glue is good stuff. Way way better than cheaper brands of super glue.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Tim Finley on February 18, 2023, 10:02:14 AM
I got feathers stuck to the clamps didnt ever use it again I use NPV from Saunders . I used tape and when I shot in cold weather it looked like you kicked a turkey in the but
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: acedoc on February 18, 2023, 10:41:25 AM
I use tape and run the thin ca glue on the quill with a toothpick- just a little bit will do.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: GCook on February 18, 2023, 11:09:36 AM
I have never tried any type of super glue.  Have used Fletchtite since the earliest I can remember.  Then I tried the tape because others said it was easier.  Although effective and it was not anything near easier. 
Got Duco now that I'm working with wood arrows and decided to try it with carbons just to see . . .  So far so good. 
There have been a time or two over the years Fletchtite was hard to get a hold of.   If that happens again I'll have an alternative.
Just for the knowing, does it work okay with wraps?
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Kirkll on February 18, 2023, 11:20:14 AM
I used that Duco in the past with decent results. As well as a lot of fletch tight over the years…. I never could get that fletch tape to work well for me at all.

The key to any type of adhesive is the prep work. Acetone is hard to beat on bare aluminum or carbon shafts. But not so good on finished woodies.

 I’m an arrow wrap fan myself, and the star brand super glue holds pretty good to those vinyl wraps. It’s pretty hot stuff though…. So you have to go easy on it.

I’ve tried a lot of different CA glue and Star brand is excellent stuff.    Kirk
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on February 18, 2023, 11:51:33 AM
I don't uses super glue my question is, does it get brittle after time ? I just remembering some of the glue the I used on vanes on carbons getting brittle.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Jegs.mich on February 18, 2023, 12:13:09 PM
I'm currently shooting a set of axis arrows. The arrows have a vinyl wrap and super glued feathers. Two years in with no problems yet. I have heard super glue works best on a wrap.

Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: RIVERWOLF on February 18, 2023, 01:18:40 PM
I seldom do wood arrows these days, but hope to get back to them this year. That said....
For Aluminum....like mentioned above....I LOVE Onestringer wraps , and for fletching over/onto these I have found NO BETTER way that holds in all types of extreme .....Heavy Rain-Heavy SNOW-WET Heavy SNOW-HEAT-ETC...Than Gorilla super glue in the Blue cap ! 

I have used it exclusively since they stopped production of the original fletch tite....This stuff far exceeds any imho...

I have found shafts lost after taking a deer and stumping ((YEARS)) after "misplacing" them....Yep, the fletching was rotted away...but, the wraps and the quill were still fast to those shafts !!!

That is a few years of Ohio weather extremes...Rain-snow-heat-well below 0 temps....That is some pretty harsh testing grounds ;^))) 

That also says A-LOT about those products. Actually two of those arrows were lost in the bush so long that the ALUMINUM  shafts had  rusted through the wall of the shafts. Those were 2018's thickness also...not easily rusted through;)

I have had a few gents tell me Dap rapidfuse was better.....Not in my testing. Dap chalked  more  for other applications like fabric & leather .Way more than Gorilla ...and I had the Dap  not hold on the same wraps ....

Gorilla Blue cap is Very impact resistant , as it stays somewhat flexable which is a win win for this application !


So , I also HIGHLY recommend  using a quality wrap & Gorilla Super in Blue cap...For me it has  a near perfect applicator tip & consistency...Non better imho for wrap-fletching  to aluminum/carbon connection...
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Don Batten on February 18, 2023, 01:26:12 PM
I was always a fan of the tape till I tried super glue with an accelerator.  Now I use 2P10 from Fast Cap.  spray the activator on the shaft and glue on the feather. instant bond in 10 seconds. I like it but get a bottle of the debonder just in case you glue your fingers together. I got an arrow that has been through a couple of pigs and at least one deer and the feathers are still right on there.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: RIVERWOLF on February 18, 2023, 02:57:28 PM
Don Batten...
 ""I got an arrow that has been through a couple of pigs and at least one deer and the feathers are still right on there.""

Yes Sir, as it should be Don. No method of fasting fleching to wrap or shaft should loose before we loose it.;)

No fletch should come loose simply passing through animals or stumps ....I can except the fletching getting "cut" , but not the wrap or quill coming loose.....
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: M60gunner on February 18, 2023, 04:57:38 PM
RiverWolf, I just finished a dozen carbons with wraps and the blue cap Gorilla SG. I did add a brush on coat of waterbased polycrilic to protect the cresting I did. They are for my brother in law, so if anything goes wrong it will be for him. I wonder if I could move the glue to a bottle with a needle point without screwing it up or the needle point? I buy these bottles at the hobby lobby, works with  Ducco. Lays just a thin bead on the quill
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: RIVERWOLF on February 18, 2023, 07:28:57 PM
Hey Tom
I take it the SG is the thicker Green cap ?

Myself , I prefer the blue cap SG....Kinda confused on which one you were talking about ? Several types , and I think some are brush on ..some are thicker gel =Gorilla green cap.  I get along fine with the nozzle head that comes with the bottle. Just enough to WET the quill lightly.  I kinda move along quickly zigzagging;)

I just don't like the gel.  Never tried a brush or switching the bottle.  IF you could get that system with a bottle/mini brush like women use for nails I would think it would be good ., but likely the brush would soil well before getting through several arrows ? 

I did a few wood arrows a year or so back and finished them with waterbased polycrilic as well...The Gorilla held just fine for me on the wood shafts without wraps...so You are likely good to go.
That Gorilla blue is GOOD STUFF ;)
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: M60gunner on February 18, 2023, 09:38:54 PM
I am using the stuff in that picture above. Today I refletched a couple old 2514 AO shafts with no wrap, just bare metal. I will try them out Monday at our indoor range. I want to use them for a league shoot.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Kirkll on February 19, 2023, 09:36:33 AM
That blue cap gorilla CA is good stuff.  :thumbsup: That’s all I used for doing my tip overlays for many years, as well as fletching. But… I could not purchase the stuff in the large bottle size anywhere. I even contacted the manufacturer….  I use this stuff a lot building bows.

Then I was introduced to Star brand which I can buy in 16 oz bottles with smaller bottles included for refilling and they provide those smaller needle tips too.  It comes in 3 different viscosities too……Haven’t looked back since.   Kirk
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: RIVERWOLF on February 19, 2023, 03:20:47 PM
Thanks for sharing that info Kirk .

Never heard of Star before.....Though the XL Gorilla blue cap last me plenty long (or I buy 2;)...If ever I start needing larger quantities I will for sure check it out ! :campfire:

Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: Tom0728 on February 20, 2023, 06:55:33 PM
I used superglue. But I switched to fletch tape. I didnt like having to wear a respirator with superglue.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: the rifleman on February 22, 2023, 07:55:54 PM
Bluecap Gorilla superglue is all I use.  Never have feather come off on carbons and like Ralph I've fished one or two out of the grass or leaves a year or two later and bases were still very well attached to the wraps.  Just recently began using it on wood w polyurethane.  Used for nocks and feathers it works great so far.
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: JamieR on February 22, 2023, 08:25:11 PM
Another vote for blue cap super glue. Works great on wraps with feathers or vanes.  I kept having trad vanes fall off using fletchtite. They stick great with gorilla super glue.

Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: RIVERWOLF on February 23, 2023, 09:37:14 PM
I don't know if anyone already mentioned it, but I also use the Blue Cap Gorilla for glue on nocks as well .
Works great ! :campfire:
Title: Re: Super glue for fletching
Post by: rustyspike on February 24, 2023, 05:44:28 AM
What I found works for me. Fletch tape with super glue on both sides of the fletch or any type of adhesive. Got to get enough on to cover the end of the fletch. So it is like a little ramp.

When using tape make sure you run your thumb nail on the edge of the tape to make sure you have good contact.

My only problem with super glue is the tubes dry out.

Rich K.