ive just got back into making arrows and i went to the archery center in portsmouth and the guy behind the counter sugested this stuff called fletching tape,well it seems easy to use but ime not alltogether convinced of its durability,do any of you guys use it? any tips? :archer:
this is some strong stuff! i have been shooting it the last couple days and have had several arrows snake under the grass, pass through my bag target, and severl pass through a rubber ball and it never ripped. it, for me, does not hold quite as much helical as glue but it holds quite enough. try it!
:thumbsup:
Is there any other way.
Actually I found I could get more helical on skinny arrows, including carbon. As long as you can get the feather to stick, then go behind with finger nail to get it fully stuck down... glue tip helps. Only problem is high heat and laying them on the fletching or jammed up and they may lay down some. Haven't lost a feather with hunting or shooting through bag targets - will outlast fletch. But, when you do need to refletch, pop the glue tip loose and carefully peal back the tape...ready to refletch. IT's a winner, try it once.
Agreed. I don't use glue anymore except at the front and back of each feather. I think the tape is great. Had a buddy have some problems but we think it was old, mis-stored tape. Glue has a shelf life and we think his tape (got it from a going out of business old timer store) was old.
ChuckC
I finally tried it a couple of weeks ago.....What took me so long. :thumbsup:
I use fletch tape with a drop of glue at each end, it seems to hold up pretty well
I agree. Awesome stuff. Tape 'em up, drop of glue at each end and move on to the next one.
I've had arrows in ungodly places and never lost a fletching.
Give yourself time to get used to the fletching process though, at first you will think you have 8 thumbs. Once you get used to it you'll get into a rythm and wonder why they ever invented glue.
BUY it all! we have a shortage around here of it its geting so popular
I've tried it this summer and like it too.
I just tried it for the first time this summer and love it. Glueing days are over, except for the front and back of fletch.
well I have to disagree. I have been using it and it is easy to use, but the arrows I have it on, the fletching is rolling over, I have to press the fletch down every time I take the arrows out. going back to glue.
Danny
It doesn't seem to like a lot of heat. UPS delivered me a bunch of arrows done up with fletch tape and the heat turned the tape into goo and a lot of feathers fell off.
danny I use tape and just a dash of glue on the ends. <><
I'm on my third roll, I have'nt had a feather lift yet. I've put them through hay bales, into the grass, through 3-D targets, and what not.You can remove them easily also, you don't even hurt the shaft. I also keep good ones that I've taken off, you can reuse them, I put them on "fire and forget" arrows.
Good Luck
Mike
I have used it and it appears to be fine. Do have the problem with heat other people mentioned, but under normal circumstances it is fine. I do put a dab of glue on each end.
Scott
ime over whelmed by the response! so it looks like i need to put a drop of glue on each end then! i must admit it is cirtainly a lot less messy than glue!
I sometimes use it on cane arrows. I had a hard time finding a glue that would stick to an unsanded cane shaft. I keep my fletch tape in the fridge, supposed to keep it from drying out.
More than just "less messy" Fish. With glue, you either waited 15 to 20 minutes between gluing on the fletch and taking the clamp off so you can go on to the next. Either 45 minutes per arrow or you buy multiple jigs. With tape, you just press the clamp against the arrow real firm, then take it off and go on to the next one. I can do a dozen arrows in the time it took me to fletch one before. Does take a bit to get used to it. hint...start separating the tape from the orange plastic and cut the tape, leaving the plastic about an inch longer. Place the clamped feather between your knees and apply the tape (with plastic backing in place)....rub the tape to stick it good, then peel the plastic back and snip the tape (only the tape) just barely past the end of the fletch. Then cut the plastic at about an inch again. now you can easily control the tape and start the peel process very easily.
ChuckC
I love the stuff. The only times I don't use it are when I'm going to burn feathers to shape, which I do a lot for myself. I use for all the arrows I build with die cut fletching and haven't lost a fletch yet.
I'm sticking w/ the fletch tite glue , tried the tape and didn't care for it .
I'm back to the glue as well...........nice idea but tape doesn't take the heat very well. I use 3 Bitz's; so fletching with glue is no handicap.
The peeling and finding the edge never appealed to me anyway.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ian johnson:
I use fletch tape with a drop of glue at each end, it seems to hold up pretty well
Bingo...uh I mean Ditto!
I read and reread the tips of experienced fletchers, and then ordered a Bitzenburger Fletching Jig with the Left Helical Clamp, 5 1/2 " left wing feathers, and a roll of fletch tape from 3Rivers last month. I expected to mess up a few learning how to do this, but was amazed when my first arrow, then my first dozen, then my second dozen, turned out the same as some "custom made" arrows I waited a week for. I was also happy when I got cocky, goofed up the third arrow, and was able to peel off the bad fletch, retape it, and then set it on perfectly. I put a drop of glue on the front and back of each feather, but it really seems like adding suspenders to a belt. Some of these arrows went throught some plywood and the fletch was secure.
I want to thank the folks on this site for the info and I encourage everybody to fletch and refletch - it is fun and nice to know that 40 year old microflites can still fly with 40 year old cedars and new carbons.
Thanks guys.
I use the tape with a drop of glue front & back. No problems. I haven't experienced the "high heat" issue. Not saying it isn't there, just it hasn't been an issue with me.
Ron
I have had the same experiance as Danny. Mine didn't seem to take heat and humidity well. Used glue on the ends and the fletches stayed on, but they kept rolling over and coming loose in the middle, will stick with glue. Hasn't failed me yet. Maybe it was the Indian and not the arrow?
Fletch tape - The next best this to can pop!
sswv turnrd me onto it. I personally don't care if i ever glue one again. It's fast and i haven't had any come off yet...glue on the front and back, works for me. :thumbsup:
I 2nd what sticshooter says. Great stuff!
QuoteOriginally posted by Jason in Bama:
Mine didn't seem to take heat and humidity well.
hey this is england we dont do heat!!!! :rolleyes: