Do any of you use the fletching tape to adhere your fletching? If so, how well does it work vs. fletching cement? Thanks,
Fletch tape,is all i use anymore.I lost an arrow at a shoot.My pards found it the NEXT year.Still had fletches on it n it spent most that winter,under 2 to 3 ft of snow.
I tried it a few times some years ago. It worked OK, but I've lost feathers with it, too. I carry it in my repair kit, but I fletch with glue.
I think fletching tape is a great idea; but I prefer the glue. Try both and see what works best for you.
That stuff is the best think sense pockets on a shirt or sliced bread. Once yo have the arrows ready to go you can zip out a doz. pretty fast.
i have used the stuff since gong to AK in 03. I have not had an issue with feathers coming off.
its the best, no more glue here.
It works great.
I have had great luck with the Bohning tape, no so good with the Bear Paw tape.
I realy like the fletching tape. It's all I use anymore. I still place a dab of glue on both ends of the feather after it's been taped on the shaft.
I've never used glue again after using the tape. I have fletched hundreds of arrows with it, and had no problems.
I refletched a bunch of 4h arrows. These arrows get punnished. Burried into hay bails etc. Not one fletch has had a problem.
Never had a problem with it on any of my arrows either.
I'm sold on The Fletch tape. I still put a bit of glue on the ends of the quill when I get it off the jig. Thats all the glue I use though. Much faster too.
QuoteOriginally posted by Benoli:
I realy like the fletching tape. It's all I use anymore. I still place a dab of glue on both ends of the feather after it's been taped on the shaft.
Same here. I just started using it about 3 weeks ago and I LOVE it. I was skeptical for the longest time. Don't knock it til' you try it. I was losing feathers with glue, but so far I haven't lost any with the tape. You've still got to prep the shaft for best adhesion, but that comes without saying.
Used it about 6 mos. I think it holds the feathers on better. Just my opinion. I think if you fletch your own the feathers stay on better in general anyway. Here's what I find:It's easier to use the glue since the tape takes a knack to roll off, etc esp if your fingers are kind of big and messed up like mine. But you don't have to wait for the glue to dry, so it goes fast. For me, if I'm doing one or a quick repair I use glue. If I'm going to make 6 or 12, I'll use tape, and maybe recruit a son or the Mrs to help peel the tape.
sam
I never used fletching tape, is it easy to use and does it work with helical fletching too ?
:campfire:
fletch tape is the ONLY way to fletch carbons and alums for me - fletchtite or duco for woodies.
david, one of the guides at the texas solana ranch that i hunted at last year, found one of my tape fletched carbon arrows this year that had been long lost over last winter - it was in really great shape and the feathers were stuck on good 'n' tight. the broadhead was badly damaged and terry green screwed in a new one and david killed a doe with it. don't get much better'n that! :cool:
I've only used the Bohning, and only over wraps, but that arrangement works fantastic. :thumbsup:
FLETCH TAPE HERE NO MORE GLUE FOR ME!!!!!!
I have been using it since it came out and its the greatest! I find arrows each spring that have been buried under the snow and although the fletchings are in tattered condition they still are adhered to the shaft.
Bar none the best way to fletch arrows. Fast, easy, and mess free.
I saw a post on here one time about a guy who owned an archery shop and fletched 12 demo arrows with fletch-tape and 12 demo arrows with glue.
The 12 with fletchtape out lasted the glue.
I use the Bohning fletch tape as well. I have used it on wood, carbon and alum. and have never had a problem. Like others have said, I put a dab of glue on the front and rear of the quill, but most do this even with other glues and no tape.
One reason some (at least a buddy of mine anyway) have trouble with the tape is not getting the whole width of the quill seated on the arrow. I shoot as radical a helical fletch as i can find for my jig. A friend was using it and all his feathers fell off. I looked at them closely and he only had the edge of the feather taped down. I always run my finger nail down the quill to make sure the whole surface is seated on the arrow shaft.
OkKeith
Its the best, just clean any shaft with alcohol especially carbon and dab a drop of glue on the front and back of the feather.
I only use woodies however I will dab glue on front & back like just about all have suggested here.
Now, how easy are they to get off and replace once your fletching gets torn up?
Tape is great. I run a bead of glue along the side and a dab at the ends.
Some say why bother to use both. Like most I need the arrows at the very moment I need them. Never enough time in the day and no reason to smell those toxic fumes for such a duration.
And helps out my FOC... :biglaugh:
its all i use anymore tape and a dot of glue at each end and your good to go...great stuff!
:campfire:
I've used only fletch tape for the last few years now and didn't have any feathers come off. Even after passing thru the 5 deer that I have taken in the last 2 seasons. I'm still using the doz or so arrows for practice and the feathers are not coming off. If your having trouble with keeping feathers on arrows you should....
MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN THE ARROWS.....DON'T STRETCH THE TAPE AS YOU PUT IT ON THE FEATHER BASE......USE THE FLETCH TAPE FROM 3 RIVERS.
Ater taping the feather to the arrow I put a drop of glue on each end of the feather.
:archer:
Bohninng fletch tape is all I use. Like others have mentioned, I have found arrows that have wintered hidden in the woods, and found that the feathers still hold tight.
I have learned a few things with it though. I found if my final finish coat is a water based polyurethane, it doesnt hold too well. I final coat with gasket laquer.
Another thing about tape is do not lay your arrows flat like on a table or workbench as the two feathers contacting the table may slide a bit and flatten out to a 180 degree offset. If you let the tape really set for a couple weeks, then it isnt as much of a problem. But I try not to lay my arrows on the feathers on a flat surface.
this may not be a problem with other finishes, such as regular bohning laquer.
I have hunted with taped arrows for several years now, and never had a feather come off. I do put a small drop on Duco on the ends of each feather. But for the easy of fletching, and the time savings, its the only way to go for me. I can do a dozen in under an hour.
Clamp the feather in your clamp, run the tape down the quill and cut it off with a razor knife. I use the edge of the knife blade at a 90 degree to the tape to scrape the tape backing loose, then pull it off an stick the fletch to the arrow. try not to touch the sticky surface too much.
I've got fletch tape on woodies and aluminums.I've had only one feather break loose,more than likely from me touching the tape.
I was skeptical about it myself till I gave it a try.It's excellent stuff.