I would like to try and make some fletching....have some gun hunter friends who took turkeys this past spring and they gave me all the primarys, left and right. Ive never made my own fletch....always been purchased. Im hoping people can point me in the right direction in regards to instructionals and tools....what is good or bad, what works and what doesnt. I have a couple different choppers but other than that, no special tools for doing this (feather grinding?) that I know of anyway! Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! :wavey:
This is what I do. I just use the primarys. Split the quill of the feather down the middle. I use a 4" in chopper so I cut the feather halfs about 4.5". I try to use the best parts of the feather.
I then use an old feather clamp and grind the quill base flat on my belt sander and the just chop my feathers. Obviously don't mix up the right and left feathers. Fletch and shoot.
Thanks Fritz....you make it sound simple! Sounds good!
If I can do it brother, it is simple!
turk fletching, how to... (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000111)
Check this one out, great how to!
There was a chap on here prior to Magnus who took over his biz.
Charlie, original provider, developed some very bizarre ailments from dust from grinding feather quills and handling the feathers constantly.
Not to say it's dangerous, I don't know enough about the issue or illness, but Magnus now promises us all he uses not a mask, but respirator. I hope so!
Just be careful while being frugal. Otherwise, Magnus will trade one wing for the other and return whichever wing is desired in ground full length feathers in exchange.
I believe he's still doing that! He's a sponsor here in Assoc Sponsor listings, so that is another option...but for all who do your own, just be careful!
There something about making your own arrows that makes it that much more enjoyable.
Hmmm....Thanks for the heads up Doc....to be honest, any health concerns there didnt cross my mind....but I do know its not good to breath ANY dust in any quantity....so now Im thinking. Im not really trying to be frugal, but more or less wanted to have some real barred fletch and thought making them myself would be pretty cool. I will think about getting in touch with Magnus. I hear his work is fantastic and although I wouldnt be grinding them out myself, Id at least still have my real barred fletch! :archer:
Last year I was in the same boat as you, I wanted to make my own feathers from my own birds. Well I did make me some, and they did turn out nice. I do not have a belt sander, I did all of mine my hand sanding and using a Blitz feather jig. It only took me about two days to get enough feathers ready to fletch up some bamboo shafts for my selfbow (about a feather an hour).
Now days I use Brother Matt "Magnus". I doubt I'm his best customer but you'll have to look hard to find a more loyal customer. His feathers are perfect and I have found the wild turkey feathers to out last the rest by a long shot.
Heck, give it a shot at making your own feathers, just remember that Magnus has your back if you need his services.
I use the great northern feather grinder, initial investment worth being able to grind all my own feathers that are provided by turkey hunting buddies. Excellent results, also a few how to's on here.