i have some left wing rio feathers i want to use
for fletching (i've never done this)   can i use both the the primary and secondary wing feathers??   are tail feathers useful?? i read a little on this and ordered a feather cutter but am not sure which feathers are ok--thanks

I know you can use wing feathers for sure. I dont know if any you can use any others.                                                   Heres something that might help you

         http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000111

You can use 'em all. The tail feathers will be softer though.

Larry

thanks guys -- i need the help

The primaries, the 8-10 outermost feathers on each wing, are the feathers used to produce commercial fletching, and that's what most folks who make their own fletching use as well. (Don't mix left wing and right feathers on the same arrow.)  You can use the secondaries, the feathers closer to the bird from the primaries, but the feathers are softer and don't make as good a fletch.  They work pretty good for flu-flu arrows.  IMO, tail feathers make poor fletching.

thanks Orion for putting me on the right track