Another Fletching arrows question

[dan d]

I did a quick search, but couldn't find an answer to my question. If I use a left wing feather (or a right wing ) in a straight clamp, why would I need to offset the clamp ? If I position the straight clamp, straight along the arrow shaft & glue my fletching, when I remove the clamp the wing is going to have a natural curl either right or left (depending on which wing I used)

Wouldn't that natural curl create the spin I want in my arrow ?

Why do I keep reading that if you use a straight clamp you need to angle it in relation to the arrow shaft in order to get spin ?

As you can tell, I'm a little confused on this so maybe I'm interpeting things wrong      

Thanks,
Dan

[RecurveRookie]

Dan, I have been fletching my own arrows for a while.  From experience, the natural curl of the feather does not make the arrow spin because the feather is still aligned with the airflow.  The air just flows along the feather.  When you offset the feather, the airflow hits the side and pushes it away (around the shaft) and causes the arrow to spin.  I have had to re-fletch some arrows because only one feather WASN'T offset, and my arrow just wasn't spinning right.  All your feathers have to be either left or right wing.   The feather spine is straight in relation to the arrow shaft, but as the feather comes up out of the spine, it curves over.  Hope that helps.

[dan d]

I do just have left wing feathers & that's all I use (no mixing of left or right going on)

But, what I didn't know is what you said about having to offset the feather. I was thinking the curl would do that, but maybe not, that's why I thought I would ask.

Thanks,
Dan

[Orion]

The curl will do it, a little, i.e., spin the arrow.  Offsetting it spins it even more/faster.  Spiraling the fletch (which requires a different clamp) does it even more.  In short, you get progressively more stability the more you offest or spiral the fletching.

[dan d]

I ask this question because I am getting small cuts on the top of my hand from my fletching, I pretty much have it eliminated by nock orientation on my arrows, but currently I use a left clamp with my left feathers. I was thinking if I cut back on that hard spiral (by going to a straight clamp which I already have) I would totally eliminate any concerns of this happening.

Thanks,
Dan

[RedShaft]

i would get rid of the straight clamp. honestly they were designed for compound shooters using a prong style rest. and were to be used offset slightly. this is so he could shoot it through the rest and not have feathers contact the prongs giving bad arrow flight when paper tuning.( hard helical would contact the rest) the offset is so the shooter can use it to help stabilize a broadhead, and get it spinning because hes using a relatively straight Fletch. i would stick with either a regular right of left helical for your traditional bow.

[Zradix]

Hey Dan.

On cutting your finger..just a few ideas..

Try dabbing some duco on the tip of the feather right where the base meets the shaft. If you do it right it covers the sharp spot and also makes a nice soft transition.

Sounds like you're trying different mock orientations.

Also, you might want to try some right wings ( in a right wing clamp) On a right handed bow the tip of the cock feather will be up rather than down.


 

[Roy Steele]

Off seting with the natural curve of the featers stableizes the arrow quicker.The closed your bows to center shot. The less this maters but even with center shot bows it still stableizes the arrow quicker.

[dan d]

Originally posted by Zradix:
Hey Dan.

On cutting your finger..just a few ideas..

Also, you might want to try some right wings ( in a right wing clamp) On a right handed bow the tip of the cock feather will be up rather than down.


   

Thanks for that thought, I guess I never thought it out enough to think about the right wing tip being up, I did try the glue on the tip, I even wrapped the tips of the fletchings with sinew.

I have a right wing clamp for my bitzenberger, I think it's the lead tip of the fletch that's biting me.

I pretty much have it eliminated, but I'm still tweaking and open to ideas, I think your on to something by using a right wing fletch !  I just had the old school thought of a righty uses left wing fletchings (don't know where I got that from)  

Thanks,
Dan

[macbow]

Dan, before I add glue to the front edge of my feathers I also use a,round shaft on a screw driver to roll or burnish the pointy edge. Use some force to flatten that area. Then add the glue.

I also use a shooting glove on my left hand , a golf glove works well. I camo it up. Then there won't be any subconscious effects on shooting worrying about the fletching.

[dan d]

Originally posted by macbow:
Dan, before I add glue to the front edge of my feathers I also use a,round shaft on a screw driver to roll or burnish the pointy edge. Use some force to flatten that area. Then add the glue.

Then there won't be any subconscious effects on shooting worrying about the fletching.

I like that advice of using a screwdriver to flatten the edge prior to gluing.

And your spot on about the subconscious effects that this is causing, like I said earlier, I think I have it mostly eliminated, but I just want to be totally sure and eliminate the thought of the fletch biting me from even entering my mind !  I need to be concentrating on picking a spot      

Dan