Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: RedTx on May 08, 2007, 08:42:00 PM

Title: Feather length??
Post by: RedTx on May 08, 2007, 08:42:00 PM
Well I have found myself with quite a few bare shafts, and need to get some feathers on them.

I dont have a fletching tool?  What do yall suggest?  I aint looking to break the bank either.

I also looking at fetahers and am wondering about the length.  I always assumed 5" were better, but was thinking about getting some 4" because the were cheaper.  I dont want to skip on performance because im cheap.  What length do you use?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: Curveman on May 08, 2007, 08:56:00 PM
I imagine that 5" parabolics would stabilize the arrow more quickly off the shaft. I never scrimp on my hunting arrows and I like my practice arrows to be as close to my hunting arrows as possible. Probably doesn't matter THAT much though but the difference in price isn't that much, right?
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: 1/2primitive on May 08, 2007, 09:19:00 PM
If you don't have a jig, fletching with store bought feathers will be difficult, what do you have in mind?
     Sean
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: RedTx on May 08, 2007, 09:31:00 PM
Im going to buy a fletching jig.  Im just looking for suggestions before I run out and buy one.  I like the arizona ez-fletch but dont like the price

As afar as the feathers Im just curious which one performs better?  I like shield cut, and was thinking 4" but if they stink I would like to know
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: jimneye on May 08, 2007, 09:37:00 PM
If I were just starting out I would go with A JOJAN mono fletcher and 5" parabolic cut.  Make sure your fletching clamp and feathers are the same helical (right or left).
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: Danny J on May 08, 2007, 10:03:00 PM
I would agree with jimneye. The JoJan mono works fine and is less than $40.00. I use the straight clamp and offset it right or left and prefer parobolic. Some say they are quieter but that is all I use so I dont have an opinion there. Cheap isn't ussually best and you will get what you pay for. Be careful so you dont end up buying it twice to save a few pennys. Arrow making is addicting and you will have great pride in the quality of what you accomplish.
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: Golden Hawk on May 08, 2007, 10:12:00 PM
The Jojan would be a good first jig. Personally I like to shoot 4-4" banana cut feathers. They really do a good jobe of stabilizing an arrow.
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: Orion on May 08, 2007, 10:20:00 PM
4-inch feathers will work fine for field points, and they'll stabilize a lot of broadheads as well, but most folks use 5-inch feathers for broadheads/hunting.  Keep in mind that the arrow is the most important component of accuracy.  Arrow components and building materials are not the place to scrimp.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: TXRED on May 08, 2007, 10:35:00 PM
The Arizona EZ Fletch works reasonably well for plastic vanes,but not for feathers IMHO.I got one in a trade as my first fletcher & after enough agravation,traded up to a Bitz.For not a lot of money,the Jo-Jan would most likely be my next choice.I still have the EZ Fletch & if you want to try it out just shoot me a pm.It's left helical & will do 5/16" & bigger shafts.I have about equal results with 3-5" or 4-4" feathers,YMMV.
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: Razorbak on May 09, 2007, 01:23:00 AM
I say get a grayling or BPE..price aint bad at all and they work just as good as alot of them..only thing I dont like about the Joja is you cant seem to get a good seat on Axis shafts to fletch..thats why I dont use my multi fletcher anymore and stick with my Bpe pro class and I also use a martin J-8 jig with a bitz clamp and that works great..I have about 30 jigs of various makes but I use the J-8 and the BPE exclusively and barely ever use my Bitz jig
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: Jimbob on May 09, 2007, 01:35:00 AM
If you like archery, and plan on doing it for awhile , buy a Bitzenberg jig. It is well worth the cost, and they hold their resale value.
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: V I Archer on May 09, 2007, 05:31:00 AM
the bitz gets my vote
Title: Re: Feather length??
Post by: TexMex on May 09, 2007, 08:38:00 AM
the bitz gets my vote too and I use 5" shield cut.