Fletching Arrows
12-22-2003, 08:51 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,704
Fletching Arrows
I decided to start fletching my own arrows for a winter project once bow season is done. I'm using Blackhawk Vapor arrows and right now they have offset fletchings and came from Eders. I'm trying to put a helical on. Not sure on what degree though becuase the fletcher doesnt say. I have a heck of time getting the original fletchings off, but any that I put on can be pulled off. I allow them at least a week to dry before checking them. I use isopropyl alcohol to rub the shafts down after I scrape everything off with a dull knife. I'm using Bond tite adhesive from Bass Pro and Jo Jan fletcher. What am I doing wrong?
12-22-2003, 03:12 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NH
Posts: 56
RE: Fletching Arrows
titleist 03,
First remove old fletching and glue with, I prefer a razor blade with light pressure or a dull razor or knife being careful not to raise any carbon fibers. Make sure all glue is removed. With clean cloth wipe shaft with alcohol. With another clean cloth wipe down shafts with just cloth.Set in jig, you will need a helical clamp to fletch helical. Place fletching in clamp place dry onto shaft then you can adjust jig to make sure base of fletching is in total contact with shaft. Take clamp off glue and reapply clamp. You should be able to go to next fletching after 20 min and should be able to shoot them in 24hrs. Dont know if you are using feathers or vanes but if you are using vanes some manufactures tell you to wipe the base with a cleaner and some tell you not to. Some vanes have an activator on the base. So check which ones your using and find out what they recommend. If you have done all of this and still have fletchings coming off maybe you got a bad tube of glue. Tell us how you make out
First remove old fletching and glue with, I prefer a razor blade with light pressure or a dull razor or knife being careful not to raise any carbon fibers. Make sure all glue is removed. With clean cloth wipe shaft with alcohol. With another clean cloth wipe down shafts with just cloth.Set in jig, you will need a helical clamp to fletch helical. Place fletching in clamp place dry onto shaft then you can adjust jig to make sure base of fletching is in total contact with shaft. Take clamp off glue and reapply clamp. You should be able to go to next fletching after 20 min and should be able to shoot them in 24hrs. Dont know if you are using feathers or vanes but if you are using vanes some manufactures tell you to wipe the base with a cleaner and some tell you not to. Some vanes have an activator on the base. So check which ones your using and find out what they recommend. If you have done all of this and still have fletchings coming off maybe you got a bad tube of glue. Tell us how you make out
12-22-2003, 04:03 PM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 565
RE: Fletching Arrows
I use fletching tape instead of glue on the feathers. holds up real good. be sure to put a dot of glue at front and rear of feather though. can shoot fletched arrow in 20 miniutes or when dots of glue are dry. I personally use an old knife to scrape my shaft clean. once clean, I take an old brillow pad used to wash dishes with and some plain old ajax. give the shaft a good cleaning. wipe with clean paper towel and your ready to fletch. hope this helps.
