Good News: My groupings are getting tighter
Bad News: I am tearing the heck out of my feathers.
Question: How hard is it to reflech feathers? If it isn't to bad can anyone suggest a good dumby proof value jig. Thanks
Jo Jan works great. You can do six arrows. Cost around 90.00 includes six clamps
bohning makes one for around $30.
I have used a single Bitzenburger for years. Then I bought three more. If you just do a few arrows a month, a single one-arrow jig will do. You can find them used in the classifieds here, every now and then. Do a search in the "Arrows and Components" forum and see what kicks up. I got a couple offa That Site Which Cannot Be Written, too.
Getting a Bitz means you only have to buy the right tool once.
Killdeer :campfire:
I don't fletch or re-fletch a lot of arrows, but the Bitzenburger at least makes it fun and makes me want to do more!, and if I do, I have a quality tool to do them with!
Go with the Bitz...It makes it easy and fun.
John
Just get a bitz...You can do 90-120-or 75/105 fletches.Worth every penny,sorry I ever wasted my money on a cheap plastic jig.
What about the Martin J8 fletcher? Is it any good?
I have no complaints with the Bohning jig. It seems to do everything the bitz can do.
Mark
Buy the Jo-Jan single, use fletch tape and do a dozen arrows in about and hour. This fletcher cost about $30 give or take, will last a lifetime. I was going to buy a six fletcher, but with fletch tape you just put the feather in the jig, tape on the feather, peel the other side off, press feather on, open clamp and repeat. It really is that simple, just make sure to clean your arrows good first.
J
Stringslap,
For targets I use Aluminum. They are easier to repair because you can remove the old feather with out damaging the shaft. Wood is a lot tricker.
Once you get a flething jig setup it's not hard. Just need to take your time. Oh yea. Fleching tape is the way to go. Its fast and easy.
Rich K.
Fletching tape eh? never heard of it. Basically a strong double sided tape made for arrows? And it holds as well as glue?
Thanks for the tips so far fellas.
Well...I'm fletching arrows this evening with a Jo-Jan single fletcher that I've had for close to 30 years. I have a straight clamp and a RW clamp. Very easy to use and very durable. No telling how many arrows have been fletched on this one!
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/tuffshad/jojan_fletcher.jpg)
Like Killdeer I have multiple Bitzenbergers, and fire up as many as I need depending on how many arrows are being made.
I use a bitzenberger RW for feathers on my arrows. I use Bohning Fletch Tite and I put a degreaser on my shafts before I apply the glue. It has been my experience that I wait 15 minutes before removing the jig to start the next feather otherwise its not enough time for the glue and the feather will slip.
Bob
I got a single LW bitz and just switched to fletching tape. Fletching tape rocks! :D
Stringslap...I just noticed your location.
There is a club meeting at NORVA tonight, and I will be out there to shoot a little and attend. Are you a member?
We are located at the entrance to Fountainhead park, so Google us up if you haven't already. There is a clubhouse there, and a wood stove, and lots of room for fletching.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Archery%20Equipment/Arrows/Img_0830FletchingResize.jpg)
I will be there late afternoon, meeting runs until 7 or so. If you want,we can set up a time to shoot and fletch. I realize this is verrrry short notice.
Killdeer :wavey: :campfire:
Fletching tape,Hey now.
Been using the same Bitzenberger jig for 30 years.
I had 12 for a while, but sold all but one. For the last 25 years every arrow I've made is fletched EXACTLY like everyone I've ever made.
I don't get in a hurry about making arrows. Always have several dozen on hand and I ain't killin snakes or nuthin.
I've got a list of "tape users" in my files. Don't ever want to see someone on the list going off on what's trad and what's not.
;) :D
May also want to look at Cabela's 3-feather fletcher - years of fine service, no problems.
It's available with either right wing clamp set for right helical fletching, or straight clamps for either straight or left wing offset fletching, so the only thing you can't do with it is left helical. It permits flecthing as many as 3 feathers at a time.
Bitzenberger has also performed well and I'm sure, as other have stated, Jo Jan is also fine.
So your choice of fletcher comes down to:
1. How many feather will it fletch per session
2. Fletch orientations: L/R helical, straight, or R/L offset.
3. And of course, price.
im curious why no one uses the arizona fletcher, i love them i like the mild helicle on the left, i use the aluminum model for all shaft sizes. i could never do one feather at a time again, one time and the arow is complete, plus a handfull of feathers a tube of superglue and one flether in your hunting camp setup one could fix all arows in their quiver before the coffe is done.