(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/redarras.jpg)
Thanks to Ferret, and some of the other guys on this site, I have discoverd how to splice fletchings what I feel is the best way. I started out with these arrows just for practice. I had some goose fletchings that I hadn't tried yet. So the top arrow has those. I am interested to see if the softer quills will make for a better flying arrow. The middle arrow is my first attempt at splicing by cutting off the quills and then grinding the membrane for gluing. Then the bottom one is fletched with some feathers off of my first trad bow killed turkey. It is also the first attempt at dying a feather. The nocks are from Killdeer...sure love the fit and finish of these Mercury's. I stained the shafts with "red oak" Minwax to go along with the red dye. Next will be the flight test.
You did good! :)
Looking good! :clapper:
Those are awesome.
I think you have motivated me to fiddle with some splicing. I have a ton of goose feathers from last season and wanted to brighten up the back a bit for visibility prior to fletching some up for wet weather hunting.
Snag, very classy looking arrows. Been following your splicing exploits and like Clay, you've motivated me to try again. I've but-spliced but never liked how they looked. Yours with the membrane method look fantastic. Rob DiStefano sent me some goose feathers and I'm going to give a few splices on those a shot.
Snag good work. Those look awesome. Can I start sending you mine to splice now????? :bigsmyl:
Very good work!
nice job! :thumbsup:
You have a talent sir! Very nice!
Fantastic Job!
You know without this site and some the guys in my trad club I would never have discovered how much fun this stuff is! Thanks Ferret and others that have taught me and inspired me. Glad to see it has inspired others too.
That dremel tool has been under utilized in my shop...now it is one of the main tools I use! Nothing like seeing that splice slide on there and fit perfectly.
They look great - maybe hope for me yet.
Jer Bear
QuoteOriginally posted by snag:
That dremel tool has been under utilized in my shop...now it is one of the main tools I use! Nothing like seeing that splice slide on there and fit perfectly.
I am glad that helped you out.
I put the section of feather to be spliced onto the fletching in a straight Bitz clamp. Then when grinding with the dremel tool it is real easy to take it down to the thin membrane. It will show white and then it starts becoming just that thin translucent layer....be careful, I did grind too much on one and it was just quills left! haha But with a soft touch you can take the thick base down to just the thin layer holding the quills.
Ferret, I looked at the picture you posted and saw that cylinder grinding head and went out and bought one. That made it very easy!
That grinding stone makes it fast. I use the finest one I have that keeps it from grinding through the thin membrane. I have also messed up a few by grinding to much.
Very nice! Great work!
nice
Great work Snag....
Sweet!
Dave, you got a talent my friend. I sometimes use the test arrows you sent me for regular shooting in my back yard. Very nice work indeed! :thumbsup:
They are awesome!
I'm jealous of you guys that enjoy building arrows especially when you do it so well.
Thanks for sharing!
God bless,Mudd
They look great, good job!
Thanks guys. It is a blessing to me hear your remarks. I just love making them. I guess I am challenged by being a perfectionist! Challenged or cursed I don't know which.
Some great looking arrows David. :thumbsup:
I always enjoy seeing your arrow work.
Those look great!
very nice craftmenship Dave. from the post it sounds like you gring the feather to layer the next piece? i've been a cut to fit fletcher so far
David
So did soaking help in stripping? Did you try anything else on those problem feathers?
Mike
BTW: Them arraws look good!
You know Mike, after I started using the dremel tool I didn't have to soak them. Just grinding the base down to the thin membrane works great without having to mess with trying to strip them...at least for me that's the way I'll do it.
Great job. how much time did it take you? :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Jerry, I don't just sit there and make arrows all at once. I'll usually go out and do some grinding and splicing, then I'll leave it alone. Then as time allows I'll do some fletching and so on. I really don't know how long it would take...punch card in this operation! I should try timing it sometime and see.
Man, those look cool snag. I'll have to come over for some lessons so I have something else to obsess over. how did the goose feathers fly?
Hi Okie, I haven't had a chance to cut and taper them for tips yet. I tore my side of the garage apart Monday to insulate the outer wall, getting ready to sheet rock it. So, my arrow making is on hold! Going through withdrawal!
if you wait awhile I can help you. Or I could come over and help boss your son in-laws around :)
I have the tools too unless you have another certain TAO project master roped in yet.
You sound like the man for the job! Maybe next week???