Fletching 1st set of arrows help question

[rluttrell]

With a new bow in its way a friend of mine is going to teach me how to fletch arrows. Would someone mind telling me the advantage of arrow wraps.  
Thanks Robert

[JRY309]

I only use arrow wraps on carbons and sometimes aluminum.On carbons they give you a great surface to glue the fletching on.And they makes carbons easy to redo later without having to scrape the old feathers off the shaft.Carbons are tough be you can gouge them scraping off old fletching,especially woodgrain carbons.And you get some great looking Traditional style wraps from Onestringer.Plus they are easy to put on and no smell like from dipping a shaft in paint.Now with wood I still prefer to crown dip and crest with paint.

[KentuckyTJ]

Visibility is about it. Other than that its all bad IMO. Adding weight to the back of your arrow. When you want to replace one fletching most likely all three will have to come off even though the other two may be fine.

[huntmaster80]

I think they are easier to see.  plus when removing the feathers from the shafts, it makes it much easier, and keeps you from damaging the carbon or the wood grain pattern. JMTC

[PaddyMac]

Visibility. My GT trads are four fletched with white feathers, white nocks and 6 inch white wraps with one inch of blood red (burgundy) which is just an individual crest. I tried barred feathers which were not only insanely expensive, but I couldn't see them as well. They looked cool, but visibility is more important.

I agree about the weight on the wrong end issue, but it's worth it to me to see them against fur, especially on bears. I just added more weight on the business end.

Also agree with Huntmaster about making it easy to remove feathers.

To remove the wraps, use a hair dryer.

OneStringer is where to get them.

[Onlyaspike]

Originally posted by huntmaster80:
I think they are easier to see.  plus when removing the feathers from the shafts, it makes it much easier, and keeps you from damaging the carbon or the wood grain pattern. JMTC

I couldnt of said it better.....and I just like the way they look.You can go from mild to wild.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

What fletching cement do you guys like the best for putting feathers on your wraps?... i don't do fletching tape.

[Bobby Urban]

Duco works but I use fletch tape on my wraps with a dab of Duco front and back.

[Javi]

Originally posted by Kirkll:
What fletching cement do you guys like the best for putting feathers on your wraps?... i don't do fletching tape.

The Bohning Platinum Plus works great with wraps.

[Rob DiStefano]

honestly, bohning fletch tape works as well if not better than any glue, and on any kinda shafting or finish or wrap.  i was a die-hard glue guy, but i've seen the fletching future and it's here - fletch tape IS the way to go.

[hammer08]

Bohning fletch tape is amazing. It's much easier than glue and you can do a dozen shafts in under an hour. No waiting for glue to dry. I highly recommend giving it a try.

[Javi]

Note: using fletching tape really cuts into my excuse for drinking beer and watching hunting videos.. I love that 10-15 minutes between feathers that glue provides...   :D

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Javi:
Note: using fletching tape really cuts into my excuse for drinking beer and watching hunting videos.. I love that 10-15 minutes between feathers that glue provides...    :D  

a dang good a reason as any for using glue!  

[Onlyaspike]

Originally posted by Kirkll:
What fletching cement do you guys like the best for putting feathers on your wraps?... i don't do fletching tape.

Ive only fletched about a dozen arrows with  feathers so far but IM using the same " Loctite Control Gel" in the blue and silver bottle that I use for my Blazer Vanes on compound arrows.It's worked GREAT so far...no problems at all.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Not meaning to high jack the thread here... but after reading it i thought I'd give the wraps a try on some carbon shafts myself.

So you guys think i should give this fletching tape another chance eh?

The first time i tried it i thought "You have GOT to be kidding!" and threw the roll in the trash so i wouldn't be tempted to ever try it again.

Maybe some of you experienced users can share a few tricks to make this fletch tape easier???

how about moisture? does this tape hold up in rainy arrow soaked situations?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Kirkll:
Not meaning to high jack the thread here... but after reading it i thought I'd give the wraps a try on some carbon shafts myself.

So you guys think i should give this fletching tape another chance eh?

The first time i tried it i thought "You have GOT to be kidding!" and threw the roll in the trash so i wouldn't be tempted to ever try it again.

Maybe some of you experienced users can share a few tricks to make this fletch tape easier???

how about moisture? does this tape hold up in rainy arrow soaked situations?

click on my vid above, to see how i apply fletch tape.

once "fully cured" (overnight) fletch tape stays on through rain and snow - it's actually quite tenacious, but can be scraped off easier than glue.  however, you can fletch up with tape and shoot that arra immediately, without fear of losing the feathers.  the key to fletch tape is cleanliness - clean the shaft and fletch quill base with naphtha (lighter fluid) via a piece of paper towel.

i've found lost arrows over a year later and the fletch taped feathers will not even pull off, they had to be cut off.

[Pete McMiller]

Rob,

I too am a die hard glue guy but that video makes a real good argument for tape.  I might have to pick some up today - just to try it.

[Old Chief]

I too was a die hard glue guy until I really gave the tape a chance.  It is faster to fletch the arrow and faster to clean off when you need to re-fletch.  It holds better than glue if you keep the shaft and quill cleane.  I have lost alot of feeling in my hands and it is a little harder to get going, but a small pair of scissors really has helped me out.  The completed arrow is much better with the tape.

[Rob DiStefano]

once learnt how to *properly* use fletch tape, you will never go back to yukky, slow glue.          :D

[rluttrell]

Rob,
Are you really using lighter fluid or just the container with something else in it????????