I realize there are a lot of different fletching jigs out there and probably many favorites but I'm looking for some advice for someone just starting out building their own arrows. I'm hoping to get a jig that will be solid enough that it can "grow with me" and will last.
Any suggestions?
Well if your in it for the long haul I would go with a bitzenburger. A little costly but worth it . If your just get started and on a budget the bohning is pretty good for the money.
Look at a BPE
having owned and used just about every fletching jig commercially made including 6 bitzenburgers, and have had at least a few custom made ones, my recommendation is to get a grayling or bohning. these are polycarb fletchers that will cost 1/3 that of a bitz, do the same job, offer 4-fletch options without added receiver cost, and last longer because polycarb won't rust. those are all i use these dayze. don't forget the fletch tape. ;)
I bought the cheap Grayling one and it has served me well for about 6 years. I fletch a couple dozen arrows a year and it works great. Mine came with 3 and 4 fletch options and I bought a right wing and straight clamp. Make sure you have the right clamp for the feathers you're using. My jig and clamps cost me about $20 total.
Thanks all for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.
Rob - you mentioned the fletch tape - do you find that works as good as the glue with all types of shafts. I'm primarily going to be doing woods but will probably do some with carbon for my son as well.
Thanks again!
I own the bitz and enjoy using it. Im sure Rob has more experience then I do so his recommendations are solid.
and like he said "Don't forget the fletch tape"
I would also recommend getting "Isopropyl alcohol" to clean shafts before fletching to remove any manufacture residue or finger oils.
QuoteOriginally posted by BeNoIt:
... Rob - you mentioned the fletch tape - do you find that works as good as the glue with all types of shafts. ...
it's all i use for all shafts from woodies to carbons. a lotta guys were asking if fletch tape works, most were skeptical if the fleathers would stay on in all kinda conditions.
i killed a little sow back in 2008 with my t/d mohawk, down in south carolina. drilled a carbon right through her vitals, never found the arrow ... terry found it this summer and though the feathers were stripped clean, here it is 3 years later after enduring summers and winters and the white quill bases were still *firmly* fletch tape stuck to the shaft. i'll never glue feathers to any kinda shaft ever again. 'nuff said. :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/hog1arra2.jpg)
I use a Bitzenberger and am satisfied but definitely agree with Rob's suggestion about fletching tape. I am using it on carbon and wood and it flat-out works. I still put a dab of Duco at each end of the fletching but I would not be surprised if the tape worked without it.
click the pic for the vid ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/vid/th_MOV06270.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/vid/?action=view¤t=MOV06270.mp4)
Bitz...
Great video Rob. It is great to have all this experience to ask questions from. Y'all are great. Thanks!
Rob - you need a seperate little jig to hold the clamp upside-down and steady while you apply the tape. :D
I'd try it for my woodies but I'd miss the Duco buzz.
I've owned a Bitzenberger and a JoJan MultiFletcher and since I shoot aluminum arrows, I prefer the JoJan.
I've got 2 Bitzenburger's that have been with me for over 20 years, like someone else said.
A little pricy but well worth it.
I just started fletching arrows this summer myself. The Bitz gets a lot of recommendations, for good reason.
I went with the Grayling, which is also marketed as the Martin J-8. As far as I can tell, the Grayling/Martin is the same as a Bitz, just made of plastic.
The Bitz is supposed to have a stronger magnet, but after using Fletch Tape, there's no reason to use glue.
Watch Robs video above. It'll save you a lot of time.
The Grayling/Martin is 1/2 the price of the Bitz, and did everything I could ask.
Thanks Paul - appreciate the feedback being that you just started on this as well.
After watching Rob's video I'm going to go with the cheaper models. I'm not going to be doing industrial fletching, really just for myself and son at present and it looks like they will do all that I need.
...AND I'll be using Fletch Tape! That looks great!
Thanks again all!
Braveheart Archery, one of the sponsors here, has the best price I could find on the Grayling.
The owner,I think its Tim, is good to deal with too.
Somebody else on here said Fletch Tape changed his life! It really is great!
Great Video Rob. BeNoIt pay particular attention to the shaft and fletch prep. Rob is getting rid of manufacture residue and finger oils.
I really like the JoJan Multi fletcher.
Bitzenburger is my preferred jig. You can find them used on the web pretty often.
QuoteOriginally posted by metsastaja:
Great Video Rob. BeNoIt pay particular attention to the shaft and fletch prep. Rob is getting rid of manufacture residue and finger oils.
Yeah - I caught that. Thanks Les.
QuoteOriginally posted by JamesKerr:
I really like the JoJan Multi fletcher.
I have used my JoJan on woods, aluminum, and carbon shafts for years!
Bisch
I have a Martin J-8 same as the Grayling brand, and a BPE. Both will serve the beginner/casual fletcher till Hades freezes over.
QuoteOriginally posted by Reaper TN:
I have a Martin J-8 same as the Grayling brand, and a BPE. Both will serve the beginner/casual fletcher till Hades freezes over.
no, they're not at all "casual, beginner" fletchers - they're both every bit as good as any bitz and will produce the same results, depending on the fletcher's skills, no matter whether for popping critters or targets.
The Martin J-8 has an advantage over the Bitz, in that it has a micro-adjustment that allows you to precisely position the feathers at the angle you want to the nock. This is an advantage for those of us who like to use the cock feather against the nose anchor, and are particular about having the cock feather at a certain angle.
The Bitz has various indexers available, and some indexers have blank rows where you can drill your own holes, so you can eventually get the angle you want, but it is not as convenient or as fast as with the Martin.
You have to be a little more careful using the Martin to get the shaft positioned correctly in the slot, whereas with the Bitz the shaft pretty much falls into the correct position by itself.
My Bitz's have long been set up with indexers that give me the angle that I want, and as long as I can get that angle without any hassle, I prefer using the Bitz because it is more sturdy and the magnet is stronger, so seems to give me more consistent results, or at least requires less of my attention to get those results, than the Martin.
I'm fine using either one, actually, and keep my Martins set up for one diameter of shaft that I use and my Bitzs set up for another diameter.
i've got the bohning fletching jig and it's proved reliable and consistent for me. I also use fletch tape, and have had no problems with it at all. Just remember to superglue the frots and backs of the feathers, and you'll have no trouble at all fletching your own arrows. Speaking of making arrows, I really need to get my arrow building equipment... i'm getting the bug to want to build things but haven't brought it to school from home yet... gotta love building your own equipment
I have had a bitz for over 30 years. Never had a problem with it
i love my jo-jan.