So I've had a bit of a problem with my LW helical clamp, hoping someone may help troubleshoot it. The leading 1/2" or so of my feathers (and I've tried several different brands) never seems to clamp firmly. Rest of the feather is fine. Leading edge wanders sometimes when I set the feather on the shaft, rather than holding to the line of the clamp.
I've sighted down the clamp, without feather, and I don't see any gap. Any ideas as to what may be going on?
My guess is you need to adjust the knobs a little. I do it with a feather or vane in the clamp but no glue. Put arrow in base and with feather in clamp, put it on and push down on shaft. Then hold the whole thing up with a light behind it and look for gaps, look from both sides and adjust accordingly. Good luck!
I should have added: contact is OK, the thing is that the clamp just doesn't hold that leading bit of feather snug, and the front flops around a bit when pressed to the shaft.
I sometimes have to use a stickpin between the bottom of the clamp and the quill to push the end of the feather down tight.
Try to layer up some tape on both sides of the clamp only where tension on the feather is low. Build up layers until there's enough of the clamps purchase on the feather. This should hold it nicely and give you a better more consistent fletch job.
Leave the whole feather out of the clamp about 1/8" and it will settle down on the shaft when you push it down. Also like zepnut, use a pin to push leading edge down.
A small "alligator clamp" placed on the top front of the clamp will help. That's what I do.
A small "alligator clamp" placed on the top front of the clamp will help. That's what I do.
Charlie, that sounds like an idea! I'll try it. And/or some tape.
Check the inside of the clamp.. may have glue dried in it that needs removed. I have. Also had issues where the bottom edge of the clamp is not flat. Lay it on a flat surface and see if it "touches" evenly the. Entire length.. if not, I use a flat file to even it out
I have the same problem occasionally, I look at the underside of the clamp to see if everything is lined up after I clamp the feather to the arrow, if not, I push the tip of the feather back where it is suppose to be with a small knife blade.
I like Charlie's idea and will give it a try.
I try reddoge method first. Then the knife trick. I wonder if your spring clips are weak? They are replaceable. Also uneven quill thickness. That happens when I try and cut two feathers from one full length one.
I have small clamps added to both ends of my bitz clamps. Wouldn't fletch without them.
Lots of great ideas here, once again. All are appreciated.
Spring clips are good.
Factory cut TruFlites are the most consistent feather I've found, and the same problem persists.
I've tried pressuring the leading edge to set in place, but it still wanders, as it's just not held right.
Popped a feather in the clamp today, added a small clip on front of clamp - and I think that'll be the ticket here.
anybody have a picture of the the added clamps on the main clamp, I just bought a bitz haven't fletched any arrows yet.
Gabe
Nuctech - I think Charlie is talking about the little spring clamps from a hardware store. I just tried done of the newer type spring loaded paper clips - just clipped in onto the front of the clamp - and it makes a difference.