I grind and chop/burn my own feathers into fletchings, BUT I would love to find a "how to" DYI make feather rest.
Here is one I just did with left wing feathers and fletch tape. Not sure if it is going to work will let you know. (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/Bloodtrailer/20140619_175324.jpg) (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/Bloodtrailer/20140619_175416.jpg) (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/Bloodtrailer/20140619_175533.jpg) (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/Bloodtrailer/20140619_175735.jpg) (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/Bloodtrailer/20140619_175809.jpg)
Well, these are the steps I use.
1. I start with 2 or 3 left wing and 2 right wing full length feather pieces. (depends on final width I need)
2. I stand them up edge wise and using a sharp chisel I slice off the base edge that sticks out from the quill.
3. Using thick double back tape place all the feathers alternating left/right but all with the quill angles pointed the same way.
4. I LIGHTLY attach to a short section of arrow shaft and burn to shape.
5. Now remove and mount onto the bow shelf.
Jeremy, just a couple suggestions if that setup isnt working out for you. If you use right wing feathers they'll be more apt to keep your arrow against the sight window for consistent arrow flight. If the fletches are closer together and shorter in height, they will support the arrow a little better.
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/DUCK_TRAP/yellowrest-1.jpg) (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/DUCK_TRAP/media/yellowrest-1.jpg.html)
How to make a perfect feather rest:
Step 1: Get a bow and remove the old rest.
Step 2: Scratch your head and ponder for as long as necessary.
Step 3: Order a TRAP feather rest.
;)
Thanks T
I will second Trap. His rests are as good as they come.
I would never discourage someone from trying something new. That's where the "next best thing" always comes from. I like building things myself and that's why I started making feather rests. I had a few late 50s recurves that needed new rests and at the time nobody was making anything close to the original Bear rests.
I made a lot of rests and gave a lot of rests away to be tested by fellow archers before finding a formula that creates a durable and functional product.
Since I sell rests as a sideline, I would not do a public DIY feather rest build, but if anyone that's trying to make them contacts me, I'll be glad to help get them through the process.
Daryl
I'm a do-it-yourselfer but in a case like this, why mess with perfection. I may dabble in trying to see if I can do it, but TRAP's are perfect!
That's also why I don't build bows ;)
Thanks trap as soon as I started I realized I need right wing feathers. Do you grid down the sides of the quill to get them closer together? My arrow only sits on two feathers. It would help to get them closer together so that the weight would be distributed over 3 or 4 feathers.
I have Trap's rests on all my bows. Some have had thousands of arrows shot off them. Still as good as new.
They look and function perfectly.
Trap's rests work on all kinds of bows here is one on a Fedora
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0455.jpg) (http://s139.photobucket.com/user/bjornweb/media/DSCN0455.jpg.html)
Thanks fellas, Jeremy the excess quill can be trimmed off with scissors. Do it before you cut them to shape.
DD
TRAP, yours are a thing of beauty. Reminds me, I need to order a few.
Up-date I just finished my first feather rest, (for my daughter in-laws bow) as per Traps instructions . I must say I'm very pleased :readit: that info.
Pictures Thomas Pictured
Hey Trap, I sent you a PM, so as not to derail this thread!
Bisch
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq136/bloodtrailer7/DSC02226_zpsfb3211b1.jpg) (http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq136/bloodtrailer7/DSC02227_zps1f355122.jpg) (http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq136/bloodtrailer7/DSC02228_zps2e4b2d10.jpg)
Next time I'll trim using my feather burner :campfire:
Awesome!!!!!!
I'm sure that works just fine
Trap
Well Done! It looks like it will do the job nicely!
Bought a used A&H longbow here on trad gang that came with a feather rest. From now on all my future and present bows will have a traps feather rest. I not only get better arrow flight but I think it just looks better than Velcro.
So not to hijack the thread, but how do the feather rests hold up to rain? Seems like at a minimum you would want to use some natural wild turkey feathers for their natural waterproof characteristics.
The "how does it hold up to rain" question is one I get a lot.
Every rest I build is made with #1 grade wild turkey primaries.
Feather rests hold up to rain about like arrow fletching does. If you are out in a toad choker the rest is going to flatten out and not perform at an optimum level. Once it dries out it's just like new again.
I recommend archers only raise their nock about an 1/8 inch above where they would normally have it set if they were shooting off the shelf. So even when wet the arrow is still going to shoot pretty well off the leather rest base.
Usually when it's raining hard enough to make a huge difference in the rests performance, following blood trails is marginal as well.
Daryl
yeah, I built a couple myself, and I could have learned to make them better, but I tried a couple of Trap's rests.....and the problem is solved! I can't do it any better than that!
Two are Traps rests I purchased through 3 rivers and one is an original 55 year old feather rest and still looks as good as the day it was installed in this pic.I had made some in the past but nothing near as good as Traps...
(http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/KEITH63/IMG_2352.jpg)
Would shooting with a feather rest help to make a bow more quiet when shooting three under? I've been doing everything I can think of to quiet a particular bow, but can't find the comfort zone in my brain to take it into the woods.
Would shooting with a feather rest help to make a bow more quiet when shooting three under? I've been doing everything I can think of to quiet a particular bow, but can't find the comfort zone in my brain to take it into the woods.
TRAP I sent you a PM