3Rivers Archery




The Trad Gang Digital Market














Contribute to Trad Gang and Access the Classifieds!

Become a Trad Gang Sponsor!

Traditional Archery for Bowhunters




RIGHT HAND BOWS CLASSIFIEDS

LEFT HAND BOWS CLASSIFIEDS

TRAD GANG CLASSIFIEDS ACCESS


Main Menu

Glue or Tape

Started by bolo7735, January 20, 2012, 04:08:00 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Pepper

Like most on here who do their own arrows, I have used most types of adhesives available for that purpose.
I have found, for me at least, that tape is faster, cleaner and adheres just as good, and adheres better on some crestings  than glue.
Good Luck
Archery is a family sport, enjoy it with your family.

Bowwild

I learned about the tape here--last year.  I had always used glue with very few complaints or issues.  However, I really like the tape and once I got the hang of it found it quick enough and very durable, at least in controlled, practice conditions. I haven't hunted with any arrows that were taped.

One problem I have with glue is that too often it seems as if my glue has dried out a bit in the case of fletch tight and not useable when I need it.  The ultra-fast dry glues seem to invariably leak in storage and when I need them the dispensing tops are plugged up or worse. The tape is always ready to go.

I'm curious when I make up some flu-flus how the tape will do when wrapping full-length feathers around the shaft. I'm hoping the torque isn't difficult to deal with.  I suspect the tape will work even better than glue for these style of flu-flu feather attachment?

30coupe

I just don't have the patience for glue. The tape works way faster, and as Rob and others have pointed out, the feathers wear out before the tape lets go as long as your shaft was clean when you applied it.

I wipe down the shaft with denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol). You can by denatured alcohol at the big box building suppliers in quart cans. I've had my last quart for about two years and have at least half of it left.

After you wipe down the shaft it is critical that you DON'T TOUCH IT WITH YOUR FINGERS! The oil from your skin is what keeps the feathers from sticking. NOTE: this is true with glue as well.

For a while I was wiping down the quill too, but I've found that to be unnecessary.

I do add a drop of Duco or Fletchtite to the ends, depending on the shaft material. I'm not sure it is necessary to lock the feathers down, but I like overkill. The drop on the front of the feather also keeps the sometimes sharp ended quills from slicing your finger if you crowd the shelf like me. I don't quite shoot off my knuckle, but darn close.
Kanati 58" 44# @ 28" Green glass on a green riser
Bear Kodiak Magnum 52" 45# @ 28"
Bodnik Slick Stick longbow 58" 40# @ 28"
Bodnik Kiowa 52" 45# @ 28"
Kanati 58" 46# @ 28" R.I.P (2007-2015)
Self-made Silk backed Hickory Board bow 67" 49# @ 28"
Bear Black Bear 60" 45# @28"
NRA Life Member

kat

Tape for me. Just a drop of glue on each end of the feather.
Ken Thornhill

Swamp Yankee

I don't have the patience for tape!  I'll use tape if I'm in a rush for some reason, but otherwise it's glue.
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."
- William Arthur Ward
Black Widow PSAV 42#@29
Collection of Red Wing Hunters
Northern Mist Superior 43#@28
Blue Ridge Snowy Mt 51#@30"

bolo7735

Thanks everyone for their input. Tape it is.

wooddamon1

You won't regret that decision!
"The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind..."-Fred Bear

stujay

bohning fletch tape. I've used glue but since I tried the tape I won't go back.

jcar315

QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
bohning fletch tape! - for all shaft materials from woodies to carbon.  i'll never go back to any form of direct glue again, and that's what i started with 56 years ago ...

here's the fletch end of a carbon arrow that was feather 4-fletched with tape.  it had been lost in the south carolina woods for three years, after killing a hog.  notice how the feather quills are still firmly affixed to the shaft ...

     

click the pic below for a tape fletching video ...

     
Can't agree more with Rob. Be sure to get Bohning tape and not some of the "others" that are out there.

Cool arrow Rob!
Proud Dad to two awesome Kids and a very passionate pig hunter.

Right handed but left eye dominant.

Proud to be a Native TEXAN!!!!!

"TGMM  Family of the Bow"

JamesKerr

Fletch tite platinum for any and all uses.
James Kerr

TAWL

I like the fletching tape too, BUT, I found that the fingernail glue with the brush in the cap works great!!! Stop laughing, this is the greatest invention ever. No mess what so ever and I haven't lost any feathers yet. It's called fing'rs brush on nail glue. Don't knock it til you try it...Seriously   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

MikeW

QuoteOriginally posted by TAWL:
I like the fletching tape too, BUT, I found that the fingernail glue with the brush in the cap works great!!! Stop laughing, this is the greatest invention ever. No mess what so ever and I haven't lost any feathers yet. It's called fing'rs brush on nail glue. Don't knock it til you try it...Seriously    :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:      :thumbsup:  
Interesting, this is the glue for fake nails?
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

Rob DiStefano

QuoteOriginally posted by MikeW:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by TAWL:
I like the fletching tape too, BUT, I found that the fingernail glue with the brush in the cap works great!!! Stop laughing, this is the greatest invention ever. No mess what so ever and I haven't lost any feathers yet. It's called fing'rs brush on nail glue. Don't knock it til you try it...Seriously     :thumbsup:        :thumbsup:        :thumbsup:  
Interesting, this is the glue for fake nails? [/b]
it's a viscous version of cya (cyanoacrylate).  and near impossible to remove for refletching.
IAM ~ The only government I trust is my .45-70 & my Ol' Brown Bess

Friend

No expert here however I do shoot ~400 arrows per week year around except during turkey season.

Tape works great!

Have no need to pursue anything else. My feathers are always worn out before any bond issues. Have never experienced a bond issue.
>>----> Friend <----<<

My Lands... Are Where My Dead Lie Buried.......Crazy Horse

eddings220

I have been using tape for over a year now on all my arrows. Have not had any issues with with fletching coming off.  It is alot easier and less of a mess.
"Respect & Integrity" - Two things that will get you a long way with God and with men.  Mark Eddings

Lone Ranger

I just tried tape for the first time, it has seemed super so far! I did up a half dozen 4 fletch in the same time as doing a single 3 fletch using glue.

so far so good.


L.R.
Profanity Makes Ignorance Audible

bluej

I did not know they made tape I will try it over the glue which is not working for me in damp weather.

stick-um

Tape for me. Its fast and easy to put a feather back on in the field.
"A successful man is the one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others have thrown at him"- D. Brinkley

MikeW

QuoteOriginally posted by stick-um:
Tape for me. Its fast and easy to put a feather back on in the field.
Not to be a smart ass but if what you doing/using works why would you have put a feather back on in the field? And you carry fletch tape with you?

I've never had a feather come off in the field that I needed to fix on the spot(tape or glue)and am 53 and been doing this since I was 13.
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.


Contact Us | Trad Gang.com © | User Agreement
Copyright 2003 thru 2025 ~ Trad Gang.com ©