Learning To Fletch

[Scattergun2570]

I want to start doing my own arrows. What jig do you recommend? What glue,for fletch and inserts? The whole 9 yards..please give me details! Thanks

[Scattergun2570]

bump

[benmmc]

I just finished my first set of feathers (newbs here, so be gentle please). I used Gateway 5" RW parabolic. Two white and one barred. I'm using the Jo Jan Mono fletcher RH helical.

For glue for the feathers, I used Loctite Super Glue Ultra Control Gel. This gel dispenser was really nice to work with. Very clean. From what I read on here, lots of people prefer the tape, but I couldn't find any at my Bass Pro, and I was in a hurry, I guess. I first tried the Gorilla glue, but it wouldn't setup right for me, so I moved onto the Loctite gel. It held insanely well, which I found from a mistake I made with the jig. I applied a feather wrong and I tried to rip it off. It wouldn't budge, so I thought that was a good sign.

 

The arrows are XX75 GameGetter 500. I bought them with vanes and stripped them off. Again, limited selection at the Bass Pro Shop here.

The jig was sort of a pain to set up, but once I re-read the directions, it made sense.

 

They came out pretty nice I think. Only thing I would've done differently with these was make the fletching P&Y style instead of parabolic. Oh well, next time I suppose.

Here are a few photos.

[Scattergun2570]

Looks like you did very well.

[Thumper Dunker]

Great looking you can come and do mine.Good pictures also.

[gonzoso]

I just started fletching in September.  My local guy wanted 3$ an arrow.  I got a ton of feathers and a Bitzenburger off the auction site.  

I paid 33$ for my bitz.  If you're patient and savvy you can get a good deal.  I chose RW helical.

Now I kind of enjoy fletching.  I like making arrows in general.  I foot them all and use tape on the shaft, then use a fletching glue I got from cabelas.  It's pretty much super glue, I paid 7$ for the bottle and I've fletched over 60 arrows since then and still have half a bottle.

[Reaper TN]

I have a Martin J-8 and a BPE fletching jig and I can heartily recommend either, they have given me years of trouble free service.  If your fletcing carbons my recommendation is to use arrow wraps and a superglue type glue.  I have had excellent results with Pine Ridge Instant arrow glue, and Gorilla Glue with the blue cap. Pine Ridge sets up a little quicker. IMHO, you are wasting time, money and feathers foolin' with fletch tape or Fletch-tite platinum.  Use superglue and you WILL NOT lose feathers.

[Scattergun2570]

What about feathers to aluminum shafts?

[Reaper TN]

Superglue works fine on aluminum too, just clean the aluminum shaft first before fletching. Some use Comet cleanser, water and scrub pad. I use a rag and wipe down really good with acetone. Use  ferrel tite hot melt for your inserts on those aluminum shafts, you'll be able to change them out easily.

[benmmc]

Yes, mine were feathers on aluminum. I cleaned them with alcohol and 0000 steel wool.

[Reaper TN]

I've never used alcohol, I believe those that do use alcohol use denatured alcohol, not the iso rubbing kind.  I used to use lacquer thinner on my aluminums years ago, worked good too.

[Scattergun2570]

Originally posted by Reaper TN:
Superglue works fine on aluminum too, just clean the aluminum shaft first before fletching. Some use Comet cleanser, water and scrub pad. I use a rag and wipe down really good with acetone. Use  ferrel tite hot melt for your inserts on those aluminum shafts, you'll be able to change them out easily.

Does 3 Rivers sell ferrel tite hot melt?

[benmmc]

Originally posted by Reaper TN:
I've never used alcohol, I believe those that do use alcohol use denatured alcohol, not the iso rubbing kind.  I used to use lacquer thinner on my aluminums years ago, worked good too.

Yeah, I think mine was regular alcohol, but I have heard denatured it was you're supposed to use. It rubbed off the logo some, so that might be why you're not supposed to use it.

[benmmc]

Does 3 Rivers sell ferrel tite hot melt?

Looks like they do.

[Rob DiStefano]

you really do need to check the "how to - resources" forum!

stuff that will work great and last forever ..

• a polycarb fletcher like the grayling or bohning
  
• bohning fletch tape
  
• tube of duco or fletchtite cement for spotting fletchings and gluing nocks
  
• hot melt for points
  
• shafts
  
• fletchings
  
• nocks
  
• points
  
• epoxy for carbon or aluminium shaft inserts/adapters
  
• min-wax wipe-on clear coat if the shafts are woodies
  
• taper tool for woodies
  

[Possum Head]

I bought my Bitz in Jr. High and now I'm 50. My remaining loved ones are welcome to it when I'm 6 feet under.Fletch Tite Platinum gets beat up on this forum on a regular basis but I've never had problems with it or the old recipe after hundreds of arras.Rubbing or denatured either one is fine as I us rubbing and fellow Gangers have testified to denatured.The Big Jim hot melt is everything he says it is (go to his sight for a demo).I've used many other brands of hot melt with success.Have fun!

[RM81]

I use the inexpensive Grayling jig and a tube of fletch tite platinum.  Works great for me on carbon and aluminum.

Make sure you have the correct clamp for the feathers you're using.  Right helical for right wing feathers and left helical for left wing.  You can use the straight clamp for both right wing and left wing.

[metsastaja]

Preparation of the shaft and fletch is the key. Manufacture residue and finger oils need to be removed prior to fetching. I wipe down the shaft and base of fletch using isopropyl alcohol and let dry.  

I use fletch tape.. Rob recently posted a great video on how to fletch perhaps he could point the way..he uses lighter fluid to clean shaft and fletch
Here is the link to    Robs Fletching Video

[njloco]

What Rob said, and also on youtube, you can actually watch them do it.

[Altiman94]

I use the bitzenburger for a jig and goat tuff for the glue.  You can get the helical fletches, left and right.  I find that using wraps on carbon arrows makes the feathers stick much better.