Budget Feather Burner

matts2 · April 18, 2011, 08:41:00 PM

Been looking online at picking up a feather burner and kept finding people making their own for little or nothing. I have always been one to save a buck, so I went ahead and made my own.

Using some scrap plywood, 1/4" carriage bolts I found in my hardware drawer, a 6v battery charger and some piano wire (had to buy that). Threw it all together, plugged it in and started burning feathers. Very simple project that can be done many different ways.

You will notice that last feather took a little longer. My charger cycles on and off and it cycled off right at the second feather. I should have waited another second because it turned back on right after I got that last feather done.

Click on below image to watch video

After scraping the edges with a razor blade to clean the burn off and a little sharpie bars.

Gator1 · April 18, 2011, 09:05:00 PM

Well,

That is way too clever... Great Job.....

hardwaymike · April 19, 2011, 08:15:00 AM

That is awesome! I am going to put this on my to do list for sure. One question, you can make any shape fletching that you want with it like that right?

RM81 · April 19, 2011, 08:35:00 AM

cool vid. thanks for posting it.

matts2 · April 19, 2011, 08:37:00 AM

ya, just bend the wire however you want it. I did some 3" banana on kid arrows last night also. I have #18 piano wire which is pretty thick and kinda tough to bend into shape. But once you get it into shape, it doesn't flex while burning like thinner wire does.

turkey65 · April 19, 2011, 08:40:00 AM

pick up a used model train transformer has a constant electrical supply,been using one for forty plus years,use on lowest setting

matts2 · April 19, 2011, 08:42:00 AM

Turkey. I got a used one on **** for $10 shipped. just waiting on delivery. I read about a lot of folks using the battery charger and had to give it a try. Should be getting it soon and will update when that is hooked up.

Converml · April 19, 2011, 08:54:00 AM

Do you think the small guitar strings (bottom string) would work also? I have some of them laying around.

matts2 · April 19, 2011, 08:57:00 AM

A lot of people use guitar strings for this. I don't know what size they use, but they use them. I am sure it will work. just take it slow and let the wire burn.