I have been using an Arizona E-Z Fletcher. It work fine for vanes. Now that I have switched to feather, I not happy with the results, it seams to distort the feathers. (Maybe my inexperience).
I am considering switching to one of the clamp style fletcher, any recommendations of which ones work, and which ones are junk?
Thanks
I have always had good luck with my bitzenburger jig.
The BITZENBERGER is the jig of choice for most of us. it is made in Grand Ledge Michigan and will adjust to any shaft made as far as I know. They run about $70 and will last a lifetime or two. made from cast aluminum and can be re-built if ever you need to fix or change something. Look on the classifieds and you may find a used one to save a bit of cash, or many of the sposors here will have them. If I can help let me know.
Chuck
I like my LW Bitzenburger,a solid well built fletcher and will last for years.But you can shoot either LW or RW,what wing feathers do you prefer.
Another vote for Bitz!
I've used both the bitzenburger and the Jo-Jan for years and like them both. However, the Bitz has sooooo much more adjustment that I tend to use it. If you are all set in one arrow diameter, same wing fletch, no adjustment, etc...than a 6 clamp Jo-Jan makes a much faster job. But for just me, the Bitz is my go-to jig.
QuoteOriginally posted by JRY309:
I like my LW Bitzenburger,a solid well built fletcher and will last for years.But you can shoot either LW or RW,what wing feathers do you prefer.
right wing
Bitzenburger!!! :clapper:
Bitz for me.
I also use the Bitz except I use the straight clamp then adjust the unit to a slight offset, either R or L wing.
there's a lot of nostalgia and hype attached to the bitz fletching jig. i've owned and extensively used four of 'em for over five decades.
these dayze, i'd rather use a cheap polycarb fletcher like the bohning or pro or whatever. imo, in terms of fletching accuracy and features, the polycarbs are every bit as good as the bitz, for way less dollar$.
also, imo, the arizona ez is one of the worst fletchers in terms of versatility and ease of use.
I have had 'em all over the years, and until recently thought the Bitz was the best of all. Recently, however, I bought a couple of the new Bear's Paw jigs from Kustom King--they are way easier to use than the Bitz and the results are as good or better. They are also a lot cheaper since some of the parts are not metal. I think I will replace all my Bitz jigs at some point.
Bitzenburger is great but too expensive.
I use a Vador, same type of design but polycarbonate material. Whole jig is the same price as a Bitz clamp.
My arrows can't tell the difference.
Guy
Plenty happy with my Grayling jig...have a left and right wing clamp. I also have an Arizona EZ fletch that gathers dust if anyone want to work out a trade.
The BITZ will still be fletching your Great-Great-Great GrandChildrens Arrows!! A VERY Good Investment!!
Ya cant go wrong with the BITZ!!
I had the same experience with the Arizona. I have a Bitz, and it's a fine tool, but for the same money or close to it, you can get a JoJan Multi Fletcher and do six arrows at once. I don't use the Bitzenberger much at all any more.
Not quite the sturdy construction of a Bitz, but I have used mine for years with no problems.
QuoteOriginally posted by Shakes.602:
The BITZ will still be fletching your Great-Great-Great GrandChildrens Arrows!! A VERY Good Investment!!
Ya cant go wrong with the BITZ!!
in truth, a polycarb fletcher will long outlast any metal based fletcher. :wavey:
Bitz for me.
Well, a friend gave me his Jo-Jan single fletcher when he bought a Jo-Jan multi. I've been using the same Jo-Jan for a decade now. Works great for me and, well...it was free!
I used the Bitz for years, but now I use a 6-banger Jo-Jan. I'm perfectly happy with it, plenty of adjustment for me. With quick-setting glue, I can fletch a dozen arrows in the time my Bitz took to do two or three shafts. That's what sold me- I'm not that good at waiting on glue to dry!
I also have a couple of Arizonas gathering dust. Didn't like them at all.
I used to use a JoJan multifletcher and it worked good. But then I bought some "pre-owned" Bitz jigs and clamps. They really help in seating the feathers flat and tight on the shaft. Thanks again Chuck!
Bitz - THE AMERICAN TRADITION. Using just 1 jig and fletch tape, and I can crank them out as fast as I need. Worth my investment, and something to pass on to keep the tradition going!
Get a Bitz.Worth every penny. :thumbsup:
I'm sorry I didn't buy one earlier.
I tried the Bohning plastic fletcher last saturday, and i did not like it..
There are no groves or locks to hold the feather clamp, just a magnet..
It will get the job done, but not accurately, i feel!
(E:) I have a Jo-Jan on the way from 3 rivers, and looking forward to it :D
No problem Snag. I think the most important feature of the Bitz is the fact that you can put some preasure on the clamp and get the fletch to seat,ALL THE WAY. With all of the adjustment they have, you can do any fletching job you wish. I think some of the less expensive poly carb jigs tend to warp and do not have the strong magenets that the Bitz has.
BOBW, said a mouth full.
They are a bit of money but are worth it.
Chuck
When I put a feather in my JoJan, I seat the quill against the clamp and then run my thumbnail down it to separate the quill from the clamp by a sixteenth or so. That space makes room to wiggle and press a bit to seat the quill firmly against the shaft.
I set the helical on the JoJan to match my Bitz, and when I travel to hunt, I take the Bitz and a few feathers for field repairs. It's small enough to fit in my archery tackle box.
I use the JoJan multi, works very well for me.
A few thing that I used to do with the Arizona was to run a tube of string wax into the groove the feather sits into. It will help hold the feather in place. If it was a real difficult feather, I would tie a piece of thread around the feather to hold in place and when I put the end cap on, I would cut and pull the thread out.
Hap
The Bitz is the choice of all the PRO fletchers
No offence meant, cacciatore, I think your comment was toungue-in-cheek, but I've sold more than a few arrows and right now arrow making is about my sole source of income. I have never fletched a single arrow on a Bitzenburger and my customers have never worried about it for a second.
Guy
I like the Bitz. I have one set up for RW and one set up for LW. I put pencil marks on them for doing either carbon(small diameter) or wood. It does take some time tho if you dont use tape, only doing 1 feather at a time.....Roy
I vote for the Bitzenburger for one reason - ease of adjustmen. We have 24 of them on a table and when I moved the table to my shop, they needed adjusting. All jigs have the ability to be adjusted, but the Bitz is the easiest, IMHO.
Use fletching tape if you are in a hurry. There is no waiting for glue to dry with the tape.
I love my old Whiffen :thumbsup: ...Van
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/VanTX/Arrow%20Making%20Tools/Whiffen1.jpg)
Jo Jan for me. Right wing. Never had any problems with it.
I like my Bitz.