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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ronyag on August 21, 2010, 11:13:00 AM

Title: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Ronyag on August 21, 2010, 11:13:00 AM
I am finally going to buy a fletching jig. What would be the best jig for a guy who uses both GT carbons and 11/32 wood? I have an Arizona now but not exactly happy with it [glue build up and feather slippage up and down upon closing] Should I go tape or glue? Any help would be great. Should I buy a gang of jigs or will just one work out? [right wing is what I have been getting done on my arrow orders]
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN on August 21, 2010, 11:35:00 AM
Check out the Bear Paw fletcher, it works geat. Custom King or 3 Rivers sell them. think they sell for about 50.00 bucks. I have one and love it.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on August 21, 2010, 11:39:00 AM
Bitz for me.  Love mine and use it almost every day.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: ronp on August 21, 2010, 11:40:00 AM
I use a right wing Bitzenberger jig and fletch tape with good results.  If clumbsy old me can do it, anybody can.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Fletcher on August 21, 2010, 11:44:00 AM
I've tried a few different fletching jigs over the years.  Now I have about 30 Bitzenburgers.  Most any of them will do the job, tho.  The BPE is very adjustable.

As for how many, it all depends on how fast you want to get it done.  One will work, three of four really makes a difference.  Get a cheap digital timer to keep you on track between feathers.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: magnus on August 21, 2010, 11:59:00 AM
Bitz for me as well. Just got a jojan too. Works really well don't have much expirience with it yet though.
Magnus
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Buckwheaties on August 21, 2010, 12:01:00 PM
BITZ..
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: stabow on August 21, 2010, 12:04:00 PM
Have A Bitz. Bought a Bear Paw, much better....stabow
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Johnny UMAA on August 21, 2010, 12:08:00 PM
Bitz for me
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: mscampbell75 on August 21, 2010, 12:10:00 PM
bitz
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: kung fu kid on August 21, 2010, 12:16:00 PM
I use my vintage Earl Hoyt fletcher purchased from Rob DiStefano during the St Jude auction.  Very easy to use, and easy to do 3 or 4 feather fletchings.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Ronyag on August 21, 2010, 12:21:00 PM
Stabow,

Why would the Bear Paw be better? Is the plastic and metal mix an advantage? You use tape or glue? The price seems better on the BP. Easier to operate?
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: mrjsl on August 21, 2010, 01:36:00 PM
bitz for me.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: stabow on August 21, 2010, 01:41:00 PM
RG
The adjustments seem easier to me than the Bitz I always had trouble getting the Bitz adjusted right for one reason or another The Bear Paw just seams easier to me.  Sometimes I use tape and other times I use glue.....stabow
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Red Tailed Hawk on August 21, 2010, 01:41:00 PM
Bitz Here
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: mookie on August 21, 2010, 02:42:00 PM
bitz
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Davt on August 21, 2010, 02:44:00 PM
bitzenberger, mine has been flawless for decades
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Burnsie on August 21, 2010, 02:45:00 PM
bitz
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Bowwild on August 21, 2010, 02:48:00 PM
I've used a Bitzenberger since I bought my first one in 1975. I lost that first one (left it at a training) 3-4 years ago and bought another immediately!  I have several other brands and most are ok but my go to jig is the Bitz. It is heavy enough to free stand without tipping over. It is accurately built. It is durable. It is tough enough to use a razor blade from time to time to scrape off excess glue. It is adjustable for different size shafts and various 3-4 fletch strategies.  If you want to do this only once, the Bitz is it in my book.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Mojo Rising on August 21, 2010, 04:20:00 PM
Do it right the first time and get the Bitz.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Pegen on August 21, 2010, 04:57:00 PM
Bitz!
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Lonala on August 21, 2010, 05:05:00 PM
bear Paw.....
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: David Bartholomew on August 21, 2010, 05:15:00 PM
Bitz.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: hitman on August 21, 2010, 05:20:00 PM
I use bitzenberger but am thinking about getting a bearpaw.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: nutmeg on August 21, 2010, 06:19:00 PM
I've used many of the except the Bear Paw but I have to agree with the majority. Bitz, hands down. (nut)   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: nutmeg on August 21, 2010, 06:21:00 PM
I've used many of the except the Bear Paw but I have to agree with the majority. Bitz, hands down. (nut)   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: nutmeg on August 21, 2010, 06:23:00 PM
Sorry for the double post guess I multi- task like I used to. (nut)
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: DannyBows on August 21, 2010, 06:52:00 PM
My Bitz has travelled as far as the Philippines and back with me and always worked great. LW-RW-Straight, and I even have a crossbow nock receiver for her. Love my Bitz!
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Ronyag on August 21, 2010, 06:55:00 PM
Thanks for all the feedback. I hate to take a step backward when making a purchase. I ordered a Bitzenberger today from one of the sponsors [got to do that ya know]. Also ordered some tape and some fresh feathers too.

Thank you again!
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Brently on August 22, 2010, 03:20:00 AM
Martin for me.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Weedhopper on August 22, 2010, 07:53:00 AM
I just started fletching my own, and with a suggestion from a "seasoned" buddy,,bought the LW Bitz. Simple to adjust and works great. If I can do it,,,anybody can.    :D
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Buckskin57 on August 22, 2010, 08:13:00 AM
Bitz-can be modified for max. helical/solid.I like it.Never owned any-else.
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: soxbow on August 22, 2010, 12:57:00 PM
Bitz last 25 year
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Nala on August 22, 2010, 02:07:00 PM
I have a Grayling and it is OK.  I really want a Bitz though.  They are more expensive, but as you can see they last a lifetime.  I have also read good things about the BearPaw jig.

One thing about my Grayling, I have a Right Helical clamp, and if I try to put any more than just a tad bit of helical fletch on my arrows the clamp won't make full contact with the arrow.  I have tried adjusting it up and down and it does the same thing no matter if I am fletching small diameter Easton Epic 500 or XX75 GameGetter 500.  So I am going to get a new fletcher sometime this year.

Good Luck.

Nalajr
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Ronyag on August 25, 2010, 09:15:00 PM
Ok, got my right helical Bliz in the mail today but found out by comparing my arrows I ordred fletched that the vendor gave me left helical instead of the right helical I ordered. What will that do for point of impact if I change to right helical? Why do they offer right or left heilical? Is there an advantage to one or the other? I shoot right handed. Should a righty fletch right helical?
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: David Bartholomew on August 25, 2010, 10:31:00 PM
You'll find a R or L heilcal clamp is a personal choice, as is using R or L wing feathers... and then the different sizes (4, 5, 5.5" feathers).

I'm right handed, and I use the R/heilcal clamp & feathers.  

Concerning impact from R and L heilical... I simply don't know.  I'll just go with my gut feeling and say it shouldn't matter that much.. if at all.

All I can say other than the above is ... if you're using a R/W blitz clamp... use R/W feathers.

David
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: magnus on August 25, 2010, 11:33:00 PM
It really doesn't matter unless shooting single bevel broad heads. Rt bevel rt wing. Lft bevel lft wing. If you bow and arrows are tuned and you have a clean release point of impact should be the same. Good luck.
Magnus
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Bowwild on August 26, 2010, 12:43:00 AM
Magnus hit it.  For the first year I'm using single-bevel broadheads and I had to order the heads to match my Bitz clamp.

I imagine the reason for the different clamps is so all of a bird's feathers can be used -- some on Left and the others on Right?
Title: Re: Going to buy a Fletching Jig
Post by: Ronyag on August 26, 2010, 06:26:00 PM
I never though of the bird feather / broadhead bevel thing. I see they are selling broadheads now that the blades are kind of helical. I can see how you would need to match the fletching to the head. Now I an going to look through all my broadheads to see if I have any left bevel.