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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Andy Cooper on March 14, 2012, 10:19:00 PM

Title: 4 fletch question
Post by: Andy Cooper on March 14, 2012, 10:19:00 PM
I've always shot 3 fletch arrows...not sure I've ever even touched a 4 fletch. But I'm contemplating trying some 4's. What is the correct spacing and positioning for them in relation to the nock?  Thanks!
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: giff on March 14, 2012, 10:22:00 PM
im curious about this too. should they be an X or a + when viewed from the rear?
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: huntmaster80 on March 14, 2012, 10:24:00 PM
You can do them either way, but when I 4 fletch they look like an "+"
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: graybarkhunter on March 14, 2012, 10:29:00 PM
mine is  "+".. why, i have no idea. just decided to put my bitz on 90 and roll with it.. no problem with feather hitting off the shelf rest
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Gen273 on March 14, 2012, 10:34:00 PM
I am interested in more info on 4 fletch as well.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Lechwe on March 14, 2012, 10:37:00 PM
I fletch mine at 75x105. I just like the way they look that way, I have no idea if either way makes a difference performance wise. I doubt it does though.

Good luck
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Fletcher on March 14, 2012, 10:43:00 PM
I shoot a lot of 4-fletch and like mine done 90x90 deg and to look like an X.  My Bitz with a standard or left receiver gives me an X, the old JoJan made them look like a +.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: badbadleroybrown on March 14, 2012, 10:44:00 PM
Mine are 75x105.  They look like an "X"  I like them set that way so that I can touch my nose with one of the feathers for a second anchor.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: old_goat2 on March 14, 2012, 10:45:00 PM
I do the 4" 75x105, to me they work well, but maybe seem slightly less forgiving on a less than stellar release even though they techically have an inch more feather total than my 3 fletch 5". But thats on the 4 fletch with parabolic feathers, I have done 4 fletch with shield and they seem to really work as well as the 3 fletch with 5" feathers. I just have a big bag of 4" parabolic feathers I'm trying to use up.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: joe ashton on March 14, 2012, 11:42:00 PM
I've shot them for many years!  Seeing that 'X'
on the side of a 3D is great.
4 4 inch works for me..
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on March 14, 2012, 11:45:00 PM
X and I love 4 fletch. Nock the arrow and never need to look.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: JRY309 on March 14, 2012, 11:46:00 PM
I like mine 4x4 at 90,shoot great for me.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: trick00 on March 15, 2012, 01:27:00 AM
Like this, 4 x 5" at 90, nock is adjusted for cock feather to touch the tip of my nose. Just did a batch tipped with 160 gr snuffers and they fly great.
 (http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg532/bodietrickfer/P3140013.jpg)
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: 2Knives on March 15, 2012, 01:49:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Lechwe:
I fletch mine at 75x105. I just like the way they look that way, I have no idea if either way makes a difference performance wise. I doubt it does though.

Good luck
Been doing the same thing for 15 yrs...I really like the 4 fletch.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Zradix on March 15, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
I do a +
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Andy Cooper on March 15, 2012, 11:34:00 AM
Anyone got any data on possible advantages to the 75x105 set up as opposed to the 90 degree one, or vice versa? BTW, I really appreciate all y'all's replies!
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Adrian Farmer on March 15, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
Andy:

I have been shooting 4 fletch for more than 25 years. I shifted to four fletch because I like the idea of being able to nock an arrow without looking.  I quickly found out that I got better arrow flight, no doubt due to the greater feather surface area.  

Over the years I have evolved to 4-4" fletch and now shoot 4-3" fletch with 650 grain arrows and 300 grain broadheads.  

I have done a bit of experimenting at the indoor range looking at arrow velocity and grouping with the following combinations: 1) 3-5" fletch, 2) 4-5" fletch, 3) 4-4" fletch, 4-3" fletch, and the 4-4" fletching spaced at 90 degrees, and at 75-105 degrees.  These tests have been with Arrow Dynamics tapered carbon arrowsand with two bows: 66# Big Horn recurve, 55# Dalaa recurve.

The results-I can see no differences in velocity (except perhaps a small increase, ~1fps, using 4-3" fletch), and no differences in group consistency.  Hence, I have gone to 4-3" because I believe that I may get less arrow noise.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: old_goat2 on March 15, 2012, 12:06:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Andy Cooper:
Anyone got any data on possible advantages to the 75x105 set up as opposed to the 90 degree one, or vice versa? BTW, I really appreciate all y'all's replies!
This pattern more closely acts like typical 3fletch pattern  off the shelf as either of the 2 sets of feathers at 105 degrees act like the two hen feathers at 120 degrees on a three fletch.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Fritz on March 15, 2012, 12:42:00 PM
I've tried both the 75X105 and the 90x90. I like  the 90x90 with 4" feathers. Just my opinion.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: tradbower on March 15, 2012, 12:45:00 PM
X2 with Fritz
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Fletcher on March 15, 2012, 01:00:00 PM
4 fletch goes back many years and was used some back in the 50's-60's.  Back then it was all 90x90.  The 75-105 came out in the 70's to give better cable clearance with compounds and many stick shooters use it now, too.  I've fletched and used both and prefer the 90.  The feathers clear the riser just fine and seem to clear the shelf a little better for me.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: PaddyMac on March 15, 2012, 06:31:00 PM
I fletch mine at 90°. I don't have to look at it, nock and broadhead tuning isn't an issue and I only have to buy one color of feather so I can save by buying in bulk (the savings of course are more than offset by having to buy four instead of three feathers) and besides just liking them and the sheer inertia of habit, I realize there aren't many other good reasons behind it. The 75/105s look like I screwed up my 90/90s, which happens. Even so, they fly just as well.

I tried 3" but couldn't find them in shields easily, so I fletch 4 incher's where there are lots of options.

I have finally got my shafts and points so well tuned to my bow that even two four inchers will do the trick.

One thing is that I have backed off an aggressive helical to a pretty tame offset because they were noisy and I started noticing that the straighter fletches were a little deeper into the block than the others. But neither issue is enough to justify ripping the feathers off and redoing them. I don't have a chrony.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: The Whittler on March 15, 2012, 09:37:00 PM
I have tried the 60-120 4" with right wing 4 fletch. They flew as good as 5" right wing.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: creekwood on March 15, 2012, 10:19:00 PM
My preference is 4 inch fletches at 90 degrees in a X configuration.

(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/DSCN2165.jpg)
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: CDR on March 16, 2012, 06:09:00 AM
Creekwood, what a great picture!!!! Did you get him?   :campfire:
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Dirtybird on March 16, 2012, 07:52:00 AM
90 with 4" fletch for me
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Rob DiStefano on March 16, 2012, 09:46:00 AM
guys, learn the lingo - it's not "+" or "X", it's 90x90 or 75x105 (though there are other "X" angles to use such as 60x120).  doesn't much matter what the 4-fletch configuration ya use, they all work just fine.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Andy Cooper on March 16, 2012, 02:37:00 PM
Rob, as a 4-fletch virgin, I assumed the + and X meant the amount of offset in relation to the nock...not the difference between 90 degrees or 75-105. Was I incorrect?

Signed,

One who knoweth not the lingo  :D
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: zootown2007 on March 16, 2012, 02:45:00 PM
I dunno..for those who don't fletch often, or even own a fletching jig; I think "+" or "x" is quite descriptive.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Gen273 on March 16, 2012, 02:46:00 PM
I am trying to learn this as well, because I have never used 4-fletch but I just bought a 75x105 4-fletch jig and I want to try it. so I guess my arrows will look like an "X", is that right?
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Terry Green on March 16, 2012, 04:54:00 PM
They will look more like Luke Skywalker's fighter wings in episode 4(the 1st movie that came out)
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Gen273 on March 16, 2012, 05:00:00 PM
Thanks Terry

I think that will be a cool looking arrow, I am going to give it a try.
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Rob W. on March 16, 2012, 05:11:00 PM
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/100_2942.jpg)
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: Gen273 on March 16, 2012, 05:32:00 PM
Rob,

Thanks for the picture!!!
Title: Re: 4 fletch question
Post by: snag on March 17, 2012, 12:44:00 AM
I like the 90 deg. X fletch. It just seems it is a better balanced way to do it. When you do it like Rob has shown in the picture you get uneven weight distribution around the shaft. May not make much difference really....just doesn't seem as evenly distributed as a 90 deg. Both ways you still get contact with the riser on both of the riser side feathers.