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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: aprice555 on November 06, 2009, 02:17:00 PM
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i was wondering if anybody has ever added full length feathers in between your normal fletching to make a regular arrow into a flu flu? This would make 6 feathers total. If you have how do they fly? If you haven't what are your thoughts on doing so? I am wanting to make a few out of some arrows without taking off the normal fletching to go pheasant hunting. Thank you for your help.
Anthony
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Sounds neat looking. Might be alot to push through the shelf without throwing your arrow. Heck just try it and see what happens.
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I wouldnt see why it wouldnt work. With only 3 full length feathers they will fly a little farther than a standard flu flu but they still should work. I shoot flu flus with 6 full length feathers and they work great for shooting arial game and targets.
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I am shooting off my hand so getting through the shelf will not be a problem. Do you think it will cause enough drag to slow them down? Thank you for your replies.
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They will slow down but not as much as 4 or 6 full length feathers. Should still work for ya though.
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Here's an idea that I used quite a lot.
Get two small, matching turkey wing feathers from the same wing (R or L)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3044.jpg)
Strip the longer-barbed side off the quill using your fingers as such:
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3039.jpg)
Cut off the front 3/4-1" or so:
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3041.jpg)
Apply superglue (gel works best) to the first 1" of the quill and tack it down to the shaft:
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3042.jpg)
Wrap the feather spirally around the shaft, applying more glue as you go. When you get to the end, hold it tight until the glue dries. You can also tack both ends with a stick pin.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3043.jpg)
Do this in front of and behind the existing fletches. The more your wrap and the higher the feather barbs, the more "air brakes" you'll put on the arrow. Secure the feather ends by either wrapping it with thread or applying a drop of superglue gel. Here's the finished result on a blunt:
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3045.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3046.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Arrows%20and%20Quivers/HPIM3047.jpg)
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I like that last idea. The spun hackle flu flus stop arrows more quickly than standard ones.
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Anthony, I have done what your asking on a few arrows, years back. Yes it will work and help slow down in flight.
Trekker's technique looks like a good one too! I have even seen feathers applied on backwards.
No set rules in experimenting with fletching, Have fun with it!
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Thank you all very much for the replies. I may have to give 4est trekker's idea a try. That just looks cool. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Forgot to mention...you have to tease the barbs a bit after you get them glued down so they separate and stand up. You can do it with your fingers and then use a needle to separate the areas that are still sticking together.
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i have made a few 6 x 4 flu flus they work great sorry about the puncuation posting from the wii not worth the effort...... :/
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yes i do and they fly just fine and thats the only way i have done it unless i spin the feather around the arrow. good luck