Been using the tape for about 8 years or so. I have had it with feathers sliding around the shaft. I am in the process of stripping all my arrows and re-fletching with glue. It was the beans when it first came out and is good in a pinch but it sure is aggravating when it doesnt hold. And yes I did put a dab of glue on the ends of the feathers.
I am with you Jim, quit using it several years ago for the same reason.
I have done the same a while ago, but I have had a bad batch of Duco last year. Kinda disturbing, but crap happens. Threw out the bottle of duco, and grabbed a new one. No problems since...nock on wood...I figure if I'm going to add glue front middle and back, just skip the tape and glue it up. Seemed redundant to me to attach it and then reinforce that attachment with a product that has the same purpose.
Disappointed to hear of your less than desireable experience.
Have likely fletch-taped 15+ dozen arrows in the past several years. Never once have I had a single fletch to slip or fail prematurely. If we shared the same experince, I too would also consider a different approach.
QuoteOriginally posted by Friend:
Disappointed to hear of your less than desireable experience.
Have likely fletch-taped 15+ dozen arrows in the past several years. Never once have I had a single fletch to slip or fail prematurely. If we shared the same experince, I too would also consider a different approach.
X2...I have had great experiences with it.
A spot of glue at the center of the fletching in addition to each end will go a long way toward solving your problem.
Interesting. I have been thinking of trying it - having been a Duco long-term user - and now rethinking. I have never had a fletch fall off that wasn't arrow-struck or a grass/bale pass through.
I have never had a problem with the Fletch tape...
Always wanted to try it, but superglue is just so dang convenient! Major pain to strip off, though...
I was not impressed with it.
I wonder if maybe the quality control on the production of the tape gets spotty at times. That is the only way I can explain some people's experience as it is too simple to screw up. I have had wonderful experiences with the tape. I believe it to be the finest archery invention of the last 25 years. As an example I have not fletched arrows in several years until this past June. I fletched up a dozen XX75's using an old half used roll of fletch tape. Out of that dozen arrows I have pounded the same 3-4 of those arrows on a regular basis. Shot thru, or had to pull the arrows thru the target butt a number of times. After 9 months of abuse, many nocks replace, fletchings looking a little ragged, I have not had one fletching move.
What Brazos said for me too. Sorry to hear you had issues.
I also have had great success with the fletch tape. BUT it all depends on what type of finish your using. I have had good holding results with stained arrows with wipe on poly but high gloss not so much. Quality paint will hold tape well and water base poly works ok as far as I can tell. Using a dab of glue on each end and the center of the fletch will benefit. I often use a high gloss poly on the shaft below the fletch area, and a wipe on poly for the fletching area with no issues.
Perhaps it works better on aluminum and carbon than wood?
I use fletch tape w/o issue on wood. I have plenty of wood arrows that were fletched with tape years ago still going strong. I do typically crown dip (actually use spray paint) my arrows. Maybe that has helped my success in some way. I do say if you haven't tried it you need to. So nice to crank out arrows and not have to wait for glue to dry. If you do decide to refletch arrows just pull them off w/o scraping.
Glue is not as easy as tape but I hate the feathers sliding around!
I'm wondering if the manufacturer would have a application guide? If they do they should include it with the product.I think the stuff is great with the proper application.
Stopped using tape last year when my feathers folded over when it was warm out.
Went back to glue.
MAN! Never had a single issue in hundreds of fletches over many rolls of the stuff. My only complaint is that if you let a full roll of new tape fall of the table and you are still holding the end, it "clusters" the whole deal. Ha!
I've been using it for a few years and never had a problem. The only time I've had fletchs fall off it was my fault because of being in a hurry and not preping the shafts right.
The first few times I tried tape, it did not last long; fletching pulled free. In subsequent attempts, it worked very well. I think with the tape, shaft prep is more critical, as in not touching fletching locations after degreasing. I still use both, tape when in a hurry, Fletch-tite when not. I prefer Fletchtite. I shoot mostly aluminums.
Are you guys all using the same brand?
I have Been using fletch tape for years and never had any problems.I dont even use the super glue that is often recommended by other users.Its been good to me and so easy to use.
Maybe some issues with some batches distibuted to others that I never have had.
I have used it in very cold and very hot weather with no problems.
My fletchings wear out before I have ever had problem with adhesion or movement.
I do press the tape down hard to the quill while in the fletching jig and to the shaft when its applied.Especially the top and bottom.I clean the shaft as well
Used tape once & that was enough, didn't like it at all. In hot weather feathers moved around to much. Mine was from Bohning.
I've had good luck with Bohning Fletch-Tite Platinum Fletching Glue on carbons & Duco cement on wood.
Never ever had an issue at all, from woodies to carbon to alloy. Only issue I had was the finish on some Carbon Express arrows was so slick, the tape would not stick.
I have used it mostly without problems. But did have one batch that didn't hold well at all and I had to redo the whole thing. Bad roll, or maybe I did something wrong? I don't really know, but I am back to glue.
I am not in a hurry when I build arrows. It might take me a week or more to build a set. I do it while working on something else in the shop and just glue a feather on when I walk by the jig. Eventually a dozen is done. Glue works great for me.
if fletch tape appears to be causing issues, there is a problem that belongs to either the arrow components or the operator - or both.
yes, as with a bad tube of glue, there can surely be a bad roll of fletch tape. fwiw, i will only use the bohning brand.
when you do it right, when the shaft and fletch quill base are both properly and swiftly prepped, and the tape properly laid down and applied with firm pressure, even without spot fletch gluing, the bond 'tween both will cure overnight so that when yer hunting pardner find that hog killing arrow 2 years later in the swampy woods, and even though the feather barbs are long gone to the bugs and momma nature, the quills will still be *firmly* adhered to the shaft ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/hog1arra2.jpg)
My personal opinion is why use tape if you have to use glue to hold it also, you still wait for that glue to dry, right? When I go hunting wether out of state or even at home im going to use something I have 100% confidence in, if for you that is fletch tape great, for me it is fletchtite. I have used it since I built my first dozen arrows when I was eleven yrs old and I have built 5- 10 dozen at least every year since so were talking a lot of arrows and I will stay using fletchtite or platinum until I find something better. In a pinch I might use the tape, but when Im headed on a hunt Ive spent a lot of time and trouble to make happen I don't mind having to let my feathers dry overnight. Believe me there is nothing that makes your blood boil more than when your arrow helicopters over the back of a 6 point bull at 25yds because of a loose feather (built by someone else)that should have been strapped to your pack frame.
I wrap most of my arrows with Onestringer wraps. Even the ones I did not wrap moved. Sometimes if I set an arrow on the bench it would flatten out the helical. I used Bohning tape. I had a roll of a different kind when the stuff first hit the market and I cant remember the name. That stuff held like glue and it was noticeably thinner material than the Bohning tape.
The one thing I will miss about it will be if I want to re-fletch an arrow I warm the feathers up with a hair dryer and take em off and re-use em.
QuoteOriginally posted by DWT:
My personal opinion is why use tape if you have to use glue to hold it also, you still wait for that glue to dry, right?....
NO glue is REQUIRED, but a dot of duco or whatever at either end of the fletch is just anal insurance. you do this after all the shafts are fletched. since fletch tape requires "curing", both the tape and glue takes a few hours.
the primary difference 'tween all glue and all tape is speed of fletching, period. other than that, neither is better. imho.
I only use it for a quick fletch job..like testing arrow flight or something like that. Something temporary...
I too tried it for a while a few years ago. It was convenient, it was quick, etc....
But I did find that it was best to dab some glue on the front of the quill to smooth out the point. And as Jim, if you laid the arrow on a table, or had other arrows tight against....the pressure would cause movement in the quill. Especially in hot weather.
I've never had an issue with Fletch-tite!
But, like I said...I do like tape for quick, temporary applications :thumbsup:
I preped my shafts with denatured alcohal and acetone, fleched with tape and as soon as it got cold in the late season my feathers fell off . My son had his feathers slide while we were hunting in the south Texas heat. I use glue and it works !!!!...Tim
I am glad some folks have had success, but way too many folks have had trouble w/tape.
Mine slid like others have mentioned.
Something isn't right and it isn't as simple as poor prep or bad batch(es) of tape.
I threw out two batches and went back to glue.
And when it is all said and done...glue works so why mess with it unless maybe you have temp. application like Guru mentioned.
Same here. I have never had much luck with it and don't trust it.
I just started to use it. I had plenty of arrows flying trough foam packs, grass, branches, hittinh each other but the feathers didn't come off.
I have just one problem with fletch tape: "Why didn't I discover it earlier...???" Its great stuff.
And BTW: it doesn't matter if I use glue or fletch-tape, I ALWAYS use a drop of glue on the front and back of each feather.
And I use Bearpaw tape.
I know guys use it but never seemed logical to me. Bill
Have tried it on all kinds of shafts with dismal results. Stick with glue ;)
guys, maybe I am differant here, but if I need to put three dabs of glue on my fletch tape....why not just use glue and be done with it ???? :dunno:
QuoteOriginally posted by T Lail:
guys, maybe I am differant here, but if I need to put three dabs of glue on my fletch tape....why not just use glue and be done with it ???? :dunno:
I guess because you can put all three feathers on in about 1 minute, then it takes 10 seconds to put a drop of glue on the front and back of the feather and you are ready to fletch another arrow.
I always use wraps and I have never had one come loose and I hunted below freezing in Ohio and over 90 in Georgia.
When I go to refletch an arrow and rip off the old fletch, the quill is still stuck down to the shaft. Main reason I use wraps is it is easy to peel off the wrap and go again.
I have only used tape for probably the last eight years on untold dozens of arrows.
I can't see ever not using it and I am really puzzled at the bad results some get.
What Rob D. said for me too. I shoot carbons and when I cut a fletch or want to change colors I have to scrap the quill off with a small knife blade. Never had an issue. I use alcohol to clean and then apply. Best thing since slice bread for me and it gets hot in LA. :goldtooth:
Never had any problems with it.
Neither have I.
No problems here.
Like I said before, fletch tape seems a mixed bag. Some have outstanding results with it, and some have bad results.
It would be interesting to find the course for this....
Some possible reasons I can think of:
- a bad batch of fletch tape
- fletch tape stored too long or too warm
- fletch tape too old
- poor preparation of shaft
I use it a lot and has worked well.
What is everyone using for a prep solvent? Both those with good and bad results.
Agree 100% with Rob D.
As for people debating the use of tape just due to having to dab glue on the ends of the feathers? Well, I do that no matter what I use to fletch with be it tape or glue, so it seems like a moot point.
I have 100% success using glue or tape, I just prep each surface (quill and arrow) properly. For me, tape is quicker, easier, and MUCH cleaner looking with equal or better results.
For me it does not work as well as glue....and I feel strongly about this ;-)
If I want to fletch quickly I use lectite super glue and have great results.
Just my observations.
Please send pm for my mailing address. I will take all unwanted tape. Better that it does me harm tham goes to waste I say.
Lou
I recently tore up a feather on one of my wood shafts. Being new to trad archery and more familiar with carbon shafts, I proceeded to dig divots into the shaft removing the remnants of the feather. I now know that there are better ways to do that, but I didn't then.
Managed to save the arrow by rotating it 180 degrees and completely refletching. I started thinking, "If these were taped, instead of glued, I wouldn't have this mess." I'm going to try tape on my wood shafts. It's gotta be easier.
I shoot mostly carbon, some aluminum and a few woodies. The woodies came fletched and I haven't had to change the fletching yet.
My carbons and alums have been great with fletch tape. I like it because I use a single feather Bitzenberger. I tape it, remove it and add a drop of super glue front and back, reinsert in the jig and go on to the next fletch with no delay. I add the drop of glue not so much for additional holding power, but to prevent a sharp point on the front of the feather spine. I let them cure overnight standing in a rack. To date, I've never had one come loose, even after the feather has been well chewed up and thoroughly soaked in rain and wet grass.
I use it exclusively. I would have to guess that I have used 6 or so rolls without any problems.
I have only used it on wood and carbon, but would have every confidence with using it on alum. too.
It has held up in 0 degree weather. On the other hand, I haven't used it over probably the low 90's.
I have used tape for over 10 years on wood & aluminum with no problems. About the first year I put a drop of glue on the leading end of the feather but decided that was a waste of time. Never had a problem even in 100 deg plus heat.
Chuck
the guys I shoot with told me the glue on the tape becomes gooey in the heat and feathers turn sideways. I beginning to believe there are quality control issues with the manufacturing of this tape.
There was another quite long thread on this subject last year. Some of the issues were solved by proper prep of the shafts and feathers which I understand but if the glue on the tape goes to goo no amount of prep will help.
As for heat, some summer days here are 110 degrees, arrows left in the sun are hot to touch especially alum.
I would love to trust tape to fletch, easy to repair, able to save good fletch from broken arrows, just am not willing to invest almost a buck a feather to find out.
Yep I through away about 1/2 roll after my first experiences with it in the Texas heat. It melted and the feathers were all over the place.
And to those that say use glue to hold it in place. Try using glue instead and it works even better.
Mike
Just my two cents but, I think the best way to attach fletching is with sinew or cotton thread and Duco cement.
Sometimes this topic gets a little testy for some reason...not sure why. Anyway...
Count me in the band with Wingnut and the Glue Guys. I did tape a number of times and it didn't give me the results I'd had with glue for 20 previous years. Lots of reasons for it and not worth arguing over. Suffice to say that the adhesives in tape are not the same as glue adhesives which use solvents that dissipate allowing the glue to cure, bond and dry to a rigid condition. Tape adhesives are very good, but they react differently than glue. Both can be used successfully, but they don't yield identical results and that much is a fact.
I can't tolerate anything except a feather which lays perfectly tight to the shaft from tip to butt and stands precisely at the applied angle after the clamp is removed. A feather which de-bonds is unacceptable completely, and makes the rest of the job somewhat suspect. No environmental factor short of a lava flow should cause it to loosen, and an arrow built once is an arrow built forever. I get that with glue with 99.97% certainty. I got less than that with tape, but yes...it does work well in most cases. There is of course nothing perfect.
fletch tape is junk. imho.
ive tried and tried. it makes quick work of fletching but ive had fletch fall off on the course, in-flight or just sitting in quivers. not too bad on bare wood but on carbons or wraps it slides around.
ive prepped shafts properly with the same results.
and if im getting glue out i might as well glue the whole quill.
just saying
Only read page one, off to work in a minute, BUT:
I have had great success with fletch tape for more than 15 years fletching many dozens of arrows.
Mostly aluminum's. I apply the tape and attache feather to shaft, run a bead of glue along entire length of quill and a drop at both ends.
I never have slippage, always works perfectly.
Could it be a quality issue of the tape causing problems? If not, operator error?
I do run some light sandpaper along area to be fletched and then wipe clean with 99% alcohol.
I also run my finger along the fletch after I tape it to a shaft to ensure its got a good stick.
Tape and glue combo has worked flawlessly for me and for many people that I know.
Just ordered to more rolls of it last week!
QuoteOriginally posted by Firstlight:
Only read page one, off to work in a minute, BUT:
I have had great success with fletch tape for more than 15 years fletching many dozens of arrows.
Mostly aluminum's. I apply the tape and attache feather to shaft, run a bead of glue along entire length of quill and a drop at both ends.
I never have slippage, always works perfectly.
Could it be a quality issue of the tape causing problems? If not, operator error?
I do run some light sandpaper along area to be fletched and then wipe clean with 99% alcohol.
I also run my finger along the fletch after I tape it to a shaft to ensure its got a good stick.
Tape and glue combo has worked flawlessly for me and for many people that I know.
Just ordered to more rolls of it last week!
This is NOT an honest assessment of the ability of Fletch Tape. If you "Run a bead of glue along the entire quill AND a drop on both ends", how could you Give credit to the feathers staying on the shaft by using fletch tape?
To each their own, but I have tried the tape and it has failed. I don't want to risk losing a hunting opportunity because I decided to not wait the 5 minutes it takes for the glue to dry. We invest so much into our sport, why cheap out on the easiest part of it? If I have to use glue to make something work...either on the ends or along the quill...I might as well not use the tape at all and just skip that step, which I do. (I skip the tape).
Been using nothing but tape and a few dots of glue along the quill for almost 10 years with no trouble at all. Buried arrows in mud, snow and hunted two weeks ago in a downpour that dumped 4" of rain in less than a day with no issues.
I find Fletch Tite and Duco to be less reliable. It wasn't always so but the formulations of those glues has changed over the years and not for the better IMHO
The Saunders glue works good for me on metal, fiberglass and carbon. My one set of a fletch tape arrows were left in a warm car. I took my bow out and thought my arrows would be all right since I left a window open, I was wrong.
I recall reading that the tape would work better if kept in the fridge, so my tape is now cool. :cool:
I use it for the convenience and have had few issues...at least not enough for me to throw it away. And I use wood, aluminum, and carbon.
This fletch tape issue reminds me of some bow threads I've seen. Some love a bow while others wouldn't give $20 for a barrel full. To each his own...use what works for you...and shoot straight.
:archer2:
I hate it
Bad luck here to when it came to summer heat. rat'
Old thread, but I will add I don't like the tape anymore either. Too much trouble with shifting feathers.
No problems with tape here. I use glue for fletching.
If I had these problems with tape I would definitely not use it, but so far no problems in heat,cold even had one lay in the wet woods for a bit and am still using it.
I had failure with tape over wraps in zero degree temps. Never again.
I've used the tape in the past, 2 rolls of it,and if the quill is not ground perfectly perpendicular to the rest of the feather, the tape will allow the fletch to roll over.Out of a dozen arrows I could look at the fletch from the nock end and see one or two feathers that were not in alignment .Just yesterday I shot some old arrows that were taped and it was very cold here.Second arrow brushed up against the first arrow and nocked the feather off slicker than a whistle. Tape was still on the shaft but none on the feather. I use nothing but E6000 now . It works on all shafts so no need for multiple glues, and it has gap filling properties so that not so perfect ground fletch still stays where it should. 3 bucks a tube at your local big box store.
I swear that these tape threads are the tradgang's version of gap vs. instinctive.
Though I have to admit the "as long as I add glue" to the tape it works perfect -- makes me laugh.
Never had any issue with tape... not at all! And I don't use any glue with it. If the front of the feather isn't smooth just use a knife to make the transition smooth.
Ya'll just send me the bad tap so your arrow building stations aren't cluttered up with "junk" that isn't in use.
No issues yet either. I keep my tape in fridge when done with it. I was told to do that and its been working. I was always reluctant to use then I got into it and really liked the ease of using.
QuoteOriginally posted by lt-m-grow:
I swear that these tape threads are the tradgang's version of gap vs. instinctive.
Though I have to admit the "as long as I add glue" to the tape it works perfect -- makes me laugh.
X2. I think you broke the code lt-m-grow :)
I had some arrows where the feathers laid down or moved with tape especially in hot weather and then some arrows the feathers remained perfect over the years.
I've been going back to NPV glue the last couple of years.
I start using tape two years ago and yes I had some of the fletching move it was my fault I did not make sure the fletching was fully seated. I still use it
Here's how I prefer to apply fletch tape. It's a little overkill, but it works for me.
http://rysanpei.blogspot.com/2014/11/fletch-tape-for-feathers.html
Never had a problem with the tape. I always put a spot of superglue on both ends of my feathers.
Been using tape for over 12 years, never had any slippage of feathers or any come loose. If I pull the feather off for some reason, the quill stays attached to the arrow shaft and the feather rips apart.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Vines:
QuoteOriginally posted by Firstlight:
Only read page one, off to work in a minute, BUT:
This is NOT an honest assessment of the ability of Fletch Tape. If you "Run a bead of glue along the entire quill AND a drop on both ends", how could you Give credit to the feathers staying on the shaft by using fletch tape?
To each their own, but I have tried the tape and it has failed. I don't want to risk losing a hunting opportunity because I decided to not wait the 5 minutes it takes for the glue to dry. We invest so much into our sport, why cheap out on the easiest part of it? If I have to use glue to make something work...either on the ends or along the quill...I might as well not use the tape at all and just skip that step, which I do. (I skip the tape). [/b]
Hey Mike,
I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything here just sharing my experience of how I use fletching tape, which works flawlessly with 15+ years of shooting in the field, thus it is an "honest assessment."
There are no rules saying I'm not allowed to use glue and tape on the same shaft...
So to appease your fear I assure you that you won't "lose any fletch in a hunting situation" nor is it, "cheap-ing out" in any manner, applying fletch in my manner.
The only right way to fletch IMO is one that allows you to achieve the arrow flight you want so you can hit what you want, knowing your fletch won't move between shots.
These are the methods of fletching I know will work with properly prepared shafts and quill, the only right answer is the one that works best for the individual.
1. Use Glue only.
2. Use Fletch Tape only.
3. Use a combo of Fletch Tape & Glue.
As I wrote earlier,the feathers folded over in the heat and they don't do that when you use glue.
But to each their own.
fletch tape, hot summer shoot, and a back quiver were a bad combination a few years ago so the rest of that roll went straight into the trash.......back to glue, it works.......
Didn't read all of the posts. I use fletch tape, with a dab of fletch tite front and back and a bead of fletch tite all down the beveled side. Never had one even come close to getting loose, temps down to 0 and up to 115.
QuoteOriginally posted by Flinttim:
...if the quill is not ground perfectly perpendicular to the rest of the feather, the tape will allow the fletch to roll over.Out of a dozen arrows I could look at the fletch from the nock end and see one or two feathers that were not in alignment.
This^
I can take a very imperfect feather and glue it to a shaft, ending with the glue holding the feather rigidly in position. With tape, if the feather base is not ground to a perfect 90 degree angle (from the feather) the fletch will adhere at at an odd angle...whatever angle the base finishes.
Tape involves a substrate with adhesive applied to both sides of it. The adhesives in tape do not air dry or cure solidly like glue, plus the substrate tends to remain a bit flexible. The adhesive remains sticky and maintains the bond over time.
It's all a matter of preference. My experiences have brought me to where I believe glue is the superior bond and yields better permanent (and dependable) results over time. That's what my results showed anyway. I couldn't see any advantages in choosing tape over glue (for my uses) and so it became obvious that I would stick with glue.
Interesting.........I have never tried tape and have no ideas about which is better...........this thread makes it clear that glue is a great choice. :campfire:
I have used nothing but tape for about 17 years. Dale Karch got me started on that way back when he was actually making arrows. The only trouble I have ever had is on wraps the tape might tend to slide but I found by slightly roughing up the wrap with fine steel wool it is just enough to make the tape stick fast. You just barely take the shine off the tape. I find that you can shoot an arrow until the feathers are just about worn off and the quill is still stuck on. How much more would you want? Not to mention you don't have to wait for glue to dry.
I love fletch tape....I shoot in all kinds of weather..lots of stumping and roving -- I'm pretty rough on my arrows. Most of the time I don't even put any glue on the ends. I do make sure to run my finger nail down the quill several times. As long as I put the fletching on carefully, they stay secure.
QuoteOriginally posted by Firstlight:
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Vines:
QuoteOriginally posted by Firstlight:
Only read page one, off to work in a minute, BUT:
This is NOT an honest assessment of the ability of Fletch Tape. If you "Run a bead of glue along the entire quill AND a drop on both ends", how could you Give credit to the feathers staying on the shaft by using fletch tape?
To each their own, but I have tried the tape and it has failed. I don't want to risk losing a hunting opportunity because I decided to not wait the 5 minutes it takes for the glue to dry. We invest so much into our sport, why cheap out on the easiest part of it? If I have to use glue to make something work...either on the ends or along the quill...I might as well not use the tape at all and just skip that step, which I do. (I skip the tape). [/b]
Hey Mike,
I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything here just sharing my experience of how I use fletching tape, which works flawlessly with 15+ years of shooting in the field, thus it is an "honest assessment."
There are no rules saying I'm not allowed to use glue and tape on the same shaft...
So to appease your fear I assure you that you won't "lose any fletch in a hunting situation" nor is it, "cheap-ing out" in any manner, applying fletch in my manner.
The only right way to fletch IMO is one that allows you to achieve the arrow flight you want so you can hit what you want, knowing your fletch won't move between shots.
These are the methods of fletching I know will work with properly prepared shafts and quill, the only right answer is the one that works best for the individual.
1. Use Glue only.
2. Use Fletch Tape only.
3. Use a combo of Fletch Tape & Glue. [/b]
X2. Not cheaping out... I have never had a failure! Right on Firstlight.
Like I said, "To each their own". You found a way to make fletch tape NOT fail and that works for you. I too found a way to make fletch tape work on my arrows...don't put it on them. We both found a way to use it, and from the sounds of it, We all rely on glue for our feathers to stick to the shafts.
To be good hunters, you need to have confidence in your equipment. Sounds like everyone has found, or is searching for what works for them.
I so love the scent of solvent vapors as I try to keep a steady hand....
:D
Going back to glue also, too many times lately, I find feathers are sliding on shafts
Glue is more...I don't know....traditional. Ha, that ought to stir the pot in Feb.
Two different rolls of tape failed for me so it was back to glue..
Amazing that all our experiences differ so much.
I wonder why we insist on beating each other up over issues like this. Those of us who have never had a failure are not going to stop using fletch tape because someone else did. And those who have experienced failures are not going to use it regardless of good results experienced by others.
Why don't we ask a more easily answered question such as "Which is better - a recurve or a longbow" :eek:
It's like sitting around a campfire arguing a theory until the beer runs out and then agreeing that everyone had good points and catching some sleep.
I switched to it a few years ago and absolutely love it. It takes a little while to figure out how it works, then it's lightning fast from there. I found it more durable than the super glue types. Sorry it's not working out for everybody...I'm stumped as to why.
ah, so this thread has reared its ugly head back up yet again. :D
like all the subjective stuff about traditional archery, how fletchings get stuck on the arrow is a personal preference thing.
when it comes to fletch tape, if it's failing for ya, there's either a people or material or process problem, or all three. don't give up on it, learn how to make it work for ya!
i've been using fletch tape since it first came out in, i think, the late 60's or so as it used for attaching those new fangled rocket ship spin wing vanes on alums.
while there surely are times that i still like to whiff the smell of a freshly opened tube of duco for sticking feathers to a classic woodie shaft, 95% or more of my arrows get fletched with bohning fletch tape.
as you might expect, i've never had a fletch tape problem other than using an inferior brand that got ditched pronto. the only fletch tape that works for me is the bohning brand.
if the shaft and fletch are properly prepared, and both are clean and free of oils and dirt, and if the bohning tape roll is fresh and clean, and if the tape is properly applied and set, it ain't coming off unless a sharp knife is used to scrape it off and even then it will not come off easily.
i've had more than a few personal testaments to the mechanical holding power of bohning fletch tape to the base of a feather fletching. the last one was a 4-fletch carbon arrow that i kilt a hog with that terry found over a year later at the "bacon strip" in south carolina. a year's worth of hot and cold and rain and even snow. the bugs ate all the vanes but the quill bases were still intact and bear to get off the shaft.
(http://i.imgur.com/zFLh4Dy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VJ1ouXF.jpg)
These debates seem to bring out so much information it should almost be in the how to section. Lol It seem to me prep is the most important for either process. I do like the fletch tape and have been using it for years.
I've tried fletch tape. It worked ok for me. I tried it on carbon and with a wrap. Didn't hold real well either way. I like fletch tite platinum. Josh.
QuoteOriginally posted by hoo-ray:
I've tried fletch tape. It worked ok for me. I tried it on carbon and with a wrap. Didn't hold real well either way. I like fletch tite platinum. Josh.
fletch tape on a wrap makes an epoxy-like weld to a fletch quill base. been there, done that.
yer doing something very wrong if it ain't working for ya.
i'll add - i've had some local archers gripe about how bad fletch tape is and they stopped using it. once i showed 'em a way of using it, they ALL went back to bohning fletch tape.
Mixed results here, the times my feathers were laying over was my fault for using cheapo feathers and being in too much of a hurry. I'm patient building wood arrows until it's time to fletch, then I just want to be done. Took my time with some tape on my latest batch, so far so good. I'll keep a close eye on 'em this summer...
I've had issues with "compatible" glues/finishes, probably due to operator error.
BTW, the arrows with feathers layed over still fly true. :thumbsup:
I've had great results with tape. Holds much better than arrows that I've bought from vendors fletched with glue. I used to put the drop of glue at the front and back but I don't even do that any more, just tape. I've only used Bohning but recently I bought a roll of Bearpaw so we'll see how that works. From what Rob says I may need to order another roll of Bohning.
Just wondering if there are any companies out there that fletch arrows for a living that use the tape ? If there is ; I don't think I've seen them...my distributor uses NPV glue exclusively ...I'm thinking there is good reason for that...they fletch thousands of arrows a year..
QuoteOriginally posted by pumatrax:
Just wondering if there are any companies out there that fletch arrows for a living that use the tape ? If there is ; I don't think I've seen them...my distributor uses NPV glue exclusively ...I'm thinking there is good reason for that...they fletch thousands of arrows a year..
old ways die hard - and for the very most part, when you charge well in excess of a franklin (or two!) for a dozen completed arrows, your client expects those vanes secured the "correct" way and not with tape that's constantly being reported as "inferior" to nitro glue or cya glue.
ive never had a problem with it. but, if I did id switch, so don't blame ya
QuoteOriginally posted by pumatrax:
Just wondering if there are any companies out there that fletch arrows for a living that use the tape ? If there is ; I don't think I've seen them...my distributor uses NPV glue exclusively ...I'm thinking there is good reason for that...they fletch thousands of arrows a year..
Fair question.
I believe part of the answer lies in speed/efficiency for the fletcher. Once the feather is in the clamp it takes very little time to run a bead of glue and apply the clamp. An accomplished fletcher does it with serious speed. Whether accurate or not, I suspect arrow manufacturers and custom builders (for profit) look at glue as being the more dependable adhesive over time. Is that accurate? Does it matter? Like Rob and most of us have said, it's really an individual thing. I think the biggest question is this: if your system works and works well, why in the heck would you change? Stick with what works the best for you, but be smart enough to know it won't be everybody's best.
QuoteOriginally posted by Kevin Dill:
QuoteOriginally posted by pumatrax:
Just wondering if there are any companies out there that fletch arrows for a living that use the tape ? If there is ; I don't think I've seen them...my distributor uses NPV glue exclusively ...I'm thinking there is good reason for that...they fletch thousands of arrows a year..
Fair question.
I believe part of the answer lies in speed/efficiency for the fletcher. Once the feather is in the clamp it takes very little time to run a bead of glue and apply the clamp. An accomplished fletcher does it with serious speed. Whether accurate or not, I suspect arrow manufacturers and custom builders (for profit) look at glue as being the more dependable adhesive over time. Is that accurate? Does it matter? Like Rob and most of us have said, it's really an individual thing. I think the biggest question is this: if your system works and works well, why in the heck would you change? Stick with what works the best for you, but be smart enough to know it won't be everybody's best. [/b]
good input, and i'd like to add ...
most fletchers have a production setup to fletch more than a few dozen shafts at the same time, so the 15 minute or so wait 'tween gluing on another fletch isn't an issue and no time is saved using fletch tape.
however, if yer not in the business of making arrows and only have a jig or two, the time saved using fletch tape makes huge sense.
if fletch tape works quite well for others, but ain't working for you, at least try to find out what the problem is before moving on. i see too much blame going toward the tape when in reality it's either a people, or process, or materials issue.
My conversation with a guy who ran a trad archery shop backs up Robs observations. This guy had a dozen Bitzenbergers set up. He could run a bead of glue quite a bit faster than I could apply a piece of tape. He'd glue the whole dozen feathers, go back to book keeping or whatever until the glue set. Then do 12 more feathers and repeat until the dozen arrows were finished. He had no problems getting the fletch tape to hold and had no reservations about selling me some for my hobby use. It just was too slow for production work.
I do it like my reloading - slow, relaxed and listening to music.
back in the 60's when i was building arrows for sale i had two banks of 12 fletching jigs. after the 24th fletch went on with good ol' fletchtite it was time to go back to jig #1 for its 2nd fletch, and so on, and so on, and so .... ah, the good ol' dayze ... :D
I have had great luck with the tape over the years. I don't know how many dozens of arrows I have fletched with it but a good many and never had a problem.
I usually am doing it over a wrap for ease of refletching and like most have reported, when I try to pull off an old frather it will usually tear and leave the quill still stuck to the wrap.
However last year for my Grandson's Birthday I made him a dozen carbon arrows with a Onestringers custom wrap. They were pretty and he was thrilled to get them. A month later he told me the feathers were falling off. I didn't believe it and asked him if they had been left in the sun or something but no, stored inside the house in his room.
I got them back and 75% of the feathers were off or loose. I was sick.
I saved some of the feathers, ordered new wraps and installed with fletch-tite.
It was a lot of work to do twice.
It was a fairly new roll of tape, stored in a heated/cooled downstairs room with all my other stuff.
I don't know if I will use it again. The fast Fletch-Tite is almost as fast.
the key ingredients for using fletch tape ...
- use bohning tape only
- use good fletches or feathers, with good quill bases - there's a lotta junk out there
- put the fletch in the clamp and clean the quill base then clean the shaft - i use naphtha (lighter fluid) - and then NEVER touch either with yer skin!
- as with any fletching, make sure the quill base sits fully flush to the shaft with no gaps
- lay the tape to the quill base, snip to size, peel back the tape covering - do NOT TOUCH the sticky tape with yer skin!
- put the clamp in the jig, align, push down evenly using both yer hands, make firm contact along the length of the quill
- open the clamp, slowly pull up off the fletch
- move on to the next fletch
- after all the fletches are stuck on, remove the shaft and do one of two things - press down on the fletch itself reasonably hard with finger or thumb and run from the front of the fletch to its back, or, with a finger nail or coin press down hard along the exposed quill base ridge for its entire length
- put a dot of glue on the ends of the fletch
- allow the tape to "cure" overnight