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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Oregon Okie on July 30, 2008, 07:46:00 PM

Title: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Oregon Okie on July 30, 2008, 07:46:00 PM
Don't know if this is the best forum for this but we'll see.
I have a handful of these OLD bitz jigs. all straight clamp unfortunately for me...
what does a guy have to do to get these ready for helical... i'm guessing more than just get a clamp??
thanks for the help.

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll70/harrelr/archery%20lot/IMG_0558.jpg)
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Charlie Lamb on July 30, 2008, 07:49:00 PM
Fletch your arrows straight offset... works just fine. Especially with a well tuned arrow/bow combo.

Otherwise just get a helical clamp.
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: ranger 3 on July 30, 2008, 07:49:00 PM
Boy them are old, I would say you will have to get a R or L wing helical clamp.
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Flatshooter on July 30, 2008, 11:20:00 PM
I fletch straight offset. Personally, I wouldn't waste the money on R/L wing helical clamps. Your arrows should fly just as well if your bow is tuned properly.
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Bear Heart on July 30, 2008, 11:28:00 PM
If you want to fletch helical you need the Clamp and Indexer.  The index knobs are offset differently.  Just call them up.
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Oregon Okie on July 30, 2008, 11:40:00 PM
yeah, saw a guy on *auction site* saying he had called bitz and they didn't have index knobs for the old ones.
Any clue what these are worth...aside from the obvious "whatever someone would pay for them"   :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: portugeejn on July 31, 2008, 12:14:00 AM
They take different indexers.  The difference is about 1/4" between the two.  These arrows were both done with a left wing clamp.  I think the difference is where the cock feather starts out in relationship to the shaft.  If you look inside the indexer, the bar that holds the nock is at a different angle on the left indexer.

Ron

     (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL413/683873/18461216/328046800.jpg)
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Bjorn on July 31, 2008, 12:19:00 AM
I have several Bitz-some newer ones and one just like yours. All you need is a clamp. I switch mine between straight and helical.
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: Bjorn on July 31, 2008, 12:44:00 AM
To be fair my older jig is set up for 4 fletch and the newer ones are 3 fletch so I really can't comment on Ron's point and fine picture.
Title: Re: Old bitz jig question
Post by: portugeejn on July 31, 2008, 12:53:00 AM
I am guessing that it must have something to do with how the feather is located on the shaft.  I might do an experiment when I have time and just try the helical clamp on the old jig, shoot the arrow and see if it makes a difference.  You can tell they are different, but it doesn't seem like much.  The left wing indexer seems to locate the feathers 1/4" to the left of where the straight clamp places them.  They are both set up for 3 fletch.  

I am thinking it might make more difference with vanes instead of feathers, since feathers are more forgiving, but that is just a theory.  It seems strange they would go to the trouble of making a completely different indexer if it didn't have some affect on the finished arrow.  I doubt it would be worth it financially, but I don't know for sure.  

Ron