Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: LookMomNoSights on August 22, 2011, 12:57:00 PM
-
Boy, I havent posted anything in a while....
Anyway, this is just for imformational purposes. I wanted to post about fletch tape. I know lots of people like the stuff and Im not trying to get anyone going of course.....just letting you know of my experience with it so people can see different opinions. I used it a few months back on a couple dozen arrows.....carbons (GT's). Now at first I loved the stuff! No mess, fast, seemed to hold up just fine with lots of shooting. And for insurance, I would platinum the toe and heel of the fletch down as well. Just this morning, I rid the last of my shafting of this stuff and now have no arrows built with tape....thank goodness! To be honest, I cant figure out what the heck happend or why I should say, but this is the deal....fletches that seemed to be solid, just started popping off....all but the ends that were glued! Now, Im a particular person....paying great attention to detail and getting things as perfect as I can. My shafting was prepped properly. Tape stored in a zip lock bag, wraps kept clean. Somehow, there was an adhesion problem. Not sure if maybe the tape I was using was a little old....but I purchased it new and from a great vendor. Some of the arrows went into a case after the 8 hours cure time for the tape. When I went to open the case as of late, 80% of my fletch were just peeling off with an easy pull. It was aggravating to say the least. I thought I was in on a faster alternative to glue....too good to be true for me anyway. So if you are using glue soley, I say dont feel so bad....and appreciate the extra wait time. Sometimes faster isnt better I suppose (a concept I should have known of....I love trad bows!) and for me, I created a bigger hastle than if I just stuck with my glue. If anyone thinks they have any ideas as to why the tape didnt work so hot for me, id love to here it of course! And like I said....this is just for conversation. Im telling you how I know now, that Im a glue man! :thumbsup:
no images wider than 640 please.
-
Uh....sorry! Forgot to re-size!
-
I've not had one problem with the roll of fletch tape I have but my buddy was having the same fits as you, his being a different brand. I refletched his arrows back up with my roll and used some of his roll on a few beater arrows I had to see if it would stick any better there. Nope. Not worth the effort.
I don't know the name of what I have as I am not at home but I believe I purchased it off 3 Rivers. I cannot complain with that particular roll, though.
-
I get mine from 3Rivers. I have never had a problem with it. I put platinum on the toe and heel of the fletching just like you do.
-
Mine was Bohning......from 3Rivers.
I dont know....its a mystery I guess!
-
I did one dz. with it and that was enough for me.
Hap
-
The arrows I fletched with tape (Bohning) still seem to be very sound but I don't shoot em. I'll have to check em.
-
I have been using the Bohning tape for many, many years and I use the tape on woodies, carbons and aluminum and I have never found anything any better. However I do put one drop of flecth tite on both ends that might be the key, but I know I would not do it any other way. Sorry to hear your experience wasn't as good.
-
I also have been doing tape for a number of years... Have only had one problem group and I finally decided that was my fault as to prep and those were dipped and crested shafts. Went back did the right prep and those arrows still wear thos fletchings....
I dont understand how this shows up. The Bohning product I have been using seems bullet proof...
-
I have only had trouble with the tape (Bohning) when I use it with my Jo-jan fletcher. It has been good with my Biztenburger.
-
I have taped several dozen arrows the past couple or three years, and have had good results for the most part. I have had two or maybe three feathers peel off in flight while practicing. None when it counted. I've had three shafts pass through deer and one through a coyote with the fletching intact. However, I went back to using glue on all my hunting shafts for sure and most of my practice shafts this year. Figured why 98% when I can get 99%. I DO carry fletch tape with me most of the time to repair/mend if need be. At a minimum, it has its place. Overall, I would say that if one were careful, there would be little chance of a problem with it. Nothing's guaranteed though.
-
Eric, You're not the Lone Ranger. I've been making arrows for over 60 years and have always used glue whether on undipped shafts or those that I capped dipped. I had bought a couple of rolls of Bohning tape to give it a try since everyone seems to have great results with it. Well my experience is the same as yours. I tried it on some undipped carbon shafts that were well prepped to insure no contaminates were on the shafts but experienced the same results as you. Perhaps a bad batch of tape but once burned as the saying goes. Reminds me of the old adage, "if it aint broke, don't fix it.".
-
I do use a Jo-Jan exclusively.....I wonder if that has anything to do with it?
-
I have had the same experiences as Toejamemr and Eric...I found the fletch tape did not hold in hot weather...only the glue on the heel and nose was holding....no more tape for me....back to duco!
-
Call me anti tape too.
At first I blamed a no name brand, but Bohning does the same thing. A dozen I just did a month ago never even shot them was just sitting on my bench sine completeion. I looked at them Saturday and there almost all peeling off. They've been glued.
I have had good success too, just not much. Basically it mirrors my issues with Platinum. I've switched to Saunders NPV to see if it cures my ills befoe I run out of white fletch tite.
-
Mine worked great till it was 90 degrees a few years back at Denton Hill. My arrows started to corkscrew in the afternoon and when I looked at my fletch you could see that the feathers had slid/smeared sideways a bit. The front and back end of each feather was still glued but the middle had moved while in my back quiver. Tossed the fletchtape and went back to glue
-
Have not had that problem with any tape i have used, but when i started off using tape a friend told me to lay the tape on the fletching without Stretching, if you stretch it , it will shrink and peel. all my arrows have been in the heat, cold and wet, with no problems.
-
I have found that in hi humidity they pop off easy I used to keep em in my basement but now on main floor do to this but I have never had a problem once I figured this out
-
I have used tape several yrs ago and dug out some shafts, seems to be holding strong,however more recently have not always had as good luck with tape, so now i use it to set my fletcher,i can take the feathers off a few times to get them where i want...
-
Down this south Texas way, it's always hot, 118 in my garage, I had some of those issues but went to wiping the shaft and the feather base with alcohol prior to taping and they dont come loose any more.
I like the neat clean look. (it doesnt take the alcohol long to flash or dissipate) problem is sweating everywhere else. :campfire:
-
i have been using the tape for a few months now with great results. you can see that where i live it's HOT. i also use a jo-jan and i don't use any glue.....
this is weird. i hope that this won't become the norm.
-
We'll, I live here in TEXAS,an IT,S HOT! I also use a Jo Jan. Fletched some just this morning. But after fletching, I use fletch tite all along the catch side PLUS BOTH ENDS. No Problems, no worries, no matter How Hot..
-
Been using for years and have not had any doubts on hows it will hold. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
I use tape, and have had no difficulties, don't know what the difference is, but I will keep on until I encounter problems.
Sorry to hear of your issues.
-
i pull the clamp off an run my fingertip all the way down the featherquill pushing the feather to one side making sure the quill is stuck tite..i don't think the jigs put enough pressure on the whole feather..i have never had any problems..
-
Well thanks for all the feedback people. Good to hear from everyone! Keep on keepin' on with that tape if it does the trick for ya. Me, Im stockin' up on platinum! And I know there are others in my boat too.
-
I swear by it. Yep you can get a bad roll once in a while. This happen to me and just bought another roll and it work great. I live in Texas and its hot here. Most of the reasons it doesn't work is not good prep work.
-
I have had the same experience and I have tried all the brands of fletching tape. I just can't get it to hold. Glue for me as well.
-
I seriously cannot put a number of arrows I have fletched with the tape. Probably 70% of them were carbons with a wrap.
I have never had one come loose and I promise, it is hot and humid in Georgia.
I don't do anything special, I run my thumb nail down the fletch when I remove the clamp and a drop of glue front and back.
Usually when I go to refletch and try to pull off the old fletch, the feather rips off leaving the quill and tape still stuck on the shaft.
Bad batch of tape is all I can offer up.
-
I always use wraps, and the fletching tape workks great on them. No problems wth arrows shot many hundreds of times in temps from sub-zero to 115 degrees. I use bitzenberg(?) Fletcher, don't stretch the tape. Smooth down the feathers after removing from the jig, drop of glue at the tips and a single line of glue along the thick edge. I absolutely prefer it to glue alone. Used without the wraps, I have no idea.
-
I have been using Bohning tape exclusively since it hit the streets. I have had a couple fletches come off but I just re tape em and put em back on. I found an arrow that I shot a couple years ago that was buried under leaves. The feathers were still tight and had to scrape em off. I do not put a drop of anything on the ends of the feathers either. I have had better much better luck with the tape than glues.
-
Originally posted by LookMomNoSights:
I do use a Jo-Jan exclusively.....I wonder if that has anything to do with it?
I doubt it. I use a Jo-Jan and have fletched a few dozen shafts using the tape and have never had a problem.
Either your tape is from an iffy batch (I had one of those) or you are not adjusting the fletching jig so as to make full contact between the base of the quill and shaft.
Regards,
Dodger
-
Murphy's Law...
-
if yer bohning fletch taped feathers are coming off in any way, you are NOT properly using the tape and process.
this is an issue with the operator and not the product.
this has NOTHING to do with the type of fletching jig used, either.
if you learned and used the correct bohning fletch tape procedure, this post -and others like it- wouldn't have happened ...
- put the feather into the jig clamp.
- clean the shaft and quill bases with naphtha (lighter fluid) on a piece of clean paper towel. after doing so, do NOT touch either with your fingers/hands!
- unroll some of the fletch tape - DO NOT TOUCH THE STICKY SIDE - the piece of tape held by your fingers does NOT go down onto the quill!
- lay the tape down, DO NOT stretch the tape!
- after you lay down the tape, snip off the excess with sharp scissors.
- use yer fingernail to press down HARD on the taped quill.
- remove the tape backing, align the clamp into yer jig, press down on the clamp at the middle and both ends.
- when all the feathers are taped on, remove the arrow and press down HARD on all the quills.
- adding a dot of any kinda fletch glue to the front and back of each feather is optional, but probably worthwhile.
you can do it!!! ..... you will love it!!! :thumbsup:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/vid/th_MOV06270.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/vid/?action=view¤t=MOV06270.mp4)
here's my arrow that spent over 2 years in the south carolina woods (after it killed a hog) and you can see that the feathers are missing but all four quills are still firmly taped to the carbon shaft ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/hog1arra2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/hog1arra3.jpg)
-
Well, thankee Mr. DiStefano! Been using fletch tape on all types o' arra materials fer years, and threads like this always made me feel I wuz one o' the "lucky" ones to have no problems! Thanks to Rob, I find I've been doing it right all along! Even a blind hog.... 8^)
PS: Another "thankee" fer yer hip quiver plans - have made a couple to date, and they came out great even fer a fumble-fingered ol' fella!
-
Other than the naptha basically the same process. Different results. Please tell me my miscue.
Freshly capped shafts (not gonna use naptha,or anything else, on fresh paint)
Freshly cut/chopped feasthers - never needed to prep a feater before - vanes yes, feathers no.
Insert feather into clamp.
Add tape directly from the roll with about 1/2" excess at the start to prevent finger oil issues.
Take a Stanley knife blade and press the tape into the quill good and hard. The clamp gives nice resistance.
Trim excess. Remove red film with tip of knife blade to keep fingers away from tape.
Insert clamp into jig and press
Once all the feathers are mounted, remove arrow from jig and press, hard, down the full length of each feather at least twice.
Add glue to tip and end of feather.
Roughly 50/50 results with this process and the issue is never on the feather side. It is the shaft that loses adhesion.
Never, ever, had an issue with white Fletch Tite. Platinum had haphazard adhesion too until I changed from acetone as a prep. (on unpainted shafts)
Someone mentioned don't strech the tape. Could it be when I press with the knife blade I am compressing it, giving the same effect as stretching it? Really don't care much as I don't think glue is that much of a hassle, but maybe it will help someone else.
-
Originally posted by Tree Rat:
Other than the naptha basically the same process. Different results. Please tell me my miscue.
Freshly capped shafts (not gonna use naptha,or anything else, on fresh paint)
Freshly cut/chopped feasthers - never needed to prep a feater before - vanes yes, feathers no.
Insert feather into clamp.
Add tape directly from the roll with about 1/2" excess at the start to prevent finger oil issues.
Take a Stanley knife blade and press the tape into the quill good and hard. The clamp gives nice resistance.
Trim excess. Remove red film with tip of knife blade to keep fingers away from tape.
Insert clamp into jig and press
Once all the feathers are mounted, remove arrow from jig and press, hard, down the full length of each feather at least twice.
Add glue to tip and end of feather.
Roughly 50/50 results with this process and the issue is never on the feather side. It is the shaft that loses adhesion.
Never, ever, had an issue with white Fletch Tite. Platinum had haphazard adhesion too until I changed from acetone as a prep. (on unpainted shafts)
Someone mentioned don't strech the tape. Could it be when I press with the knife blade I am compressing it, giving the same effect as stretching it? Really don't care much as I don't think glue is that much of a hassle, but maybe it will help someone else.
then look to the paint - is it FULLY cured? find out from the paint manufacturer about the full cure time. if not, sticky thing will not fully stick to it.
i'll repeat - both the shaft fletch area and the feather quills MUST be dry, hard and clean of any oils before laying down the tape.
yes, do not pull/stretch the fletch tape as you lay it down.
-
For whatever it's worth, this is how I do it.
This is what I use.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5276.jpg)
Ensure that the nock holder on the fletching jig is horizontal. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions to learn about all the necessary adjustments that will ensure that the base of the quill rests on the shaft without any gaps.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5277.jpg)
Place the arrow into the fletching jig as per manufacturer's instructions. If the arrow nock has an index marker, this should be aligned with the cock feather.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5278.jpg)
First, place the cock feather in the clamp, with the rear of the feather aligned with a certain mark on the clamp. Some clamps come pre-marked. Mine did not. This ensures that the feathers aren't stuck to the shaft at random distances from the valley of the nock. I leave 1 1/4" from the rear of the feather to the valley of the nock. Some people leave less distance and others a little more.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5279.jpg)
Now stick the double sided fletching tape on the quill with a little overhang on either end and cut the tape. Run your finger down the tape on the quill to ensure that it has stuck evenly and there are no air gaps.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5280.jpg)
Remove the reddish protective strip from the double sided fletching tape. I prefer to use a scalpel or a thin bladed pocket knife.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5281.jpg)
Place the clamp into the jig, apply a little pressure, remove clamp, run a finger nail down the side of the quill to ensure it's stuck evenly, press and stick the tape overhangs to the shaft and you now have a feather stuck to the shaft.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5282.jpg)
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5283.jpg)
-
Now rotate the shaft on the jig and use the same process to stick the hen feathers.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5284.jpg)
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5285.jpg)
For added security, you can apply a drop of Fletchtite, etc. on the leading and trailing end of each feather and let dry.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5286.jpg)
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/RHB65/Archery/IMG_5287.jpg)
Hope this helps those who may have faced problems whilst fletching with tape.
-
I will never go back to glue!
I shoot a tone, every day and started using this tape earlier this year and have never had one come off. Just finished a couple goat hunts in hammering rain and heavy winds........My gear took a beating and still no problems. Maybe you got a bad batch?? I love this stuff.
-
Wait! Dodger, in pic No. 6, you can see under the fletch with the jig in place. Is it supposed to be that way? On my Bitz it was the same way and I adjusted it so that when I pushed the jig all the way down it was pressing hard on the shaft. When it was up like that I had alignment AND adhesion problems.
I had a few troubles at first with the tape on a four fletch, but I'm just cranking them out now. No problems unless I hit one with an arrow.
-
They fell off my unwrapped cx heritages', never off my woodies'.
-
Originally posted by PaddyMac:
Wait! Dodger, in pic No. 6, you can see under the fletch with the jig in place. Is it supposed to be that way? On my Bitz it was the same way and I adjusted it so that when I pushed the jig all the way down it was pressing hard on the shaft.
Paddy,
The gap you see in pic # 6 is in front of the feather's leading edge not below it. I do not press down too hard but after the clamp is removed, I do press down on the extra bit of tape, fore and aft of the feather, and apply moderate downward pressure whilst running my finger nail along the quill.
Dodger
-
Dodger, sorry, I miscounted. S/B No. 7. But now that I can see it, it's just a reflection of the camo from the arrow.
-
Originally posted by PaddyMac:
Dodger, sorry, I miscounted. S/B No. 7.
No worries. That makes two of us. ;)
:D
-
Rob, thanks for the tips! My experience with tape has been 90% positive... but I have had a few batches through the years that did not do so well. I bet the naphtha trick will cure my occasional troubles. I have never cleaned feather bases - ever.
J
-
I'm with Rob, except I use Isopropl alcohol to wipe shafts. Dragged mine all round the world -Africa - Oz dam hot places never had any fall off in 15yrs except time I tried an areosol silicone spray on feathers - don't try that!
Otherwise only advice I can give you is lay off the fried chicken before fletching :D