arrow fletching

[Retterath]

so i order arrows the other day and got them over lunch today and realized that i ordered the plain shaft with out fletching and i had them cut so can't return them. now I'm going to put some fletching on myself and was wondering if i needed to get a jig or just get the quick fletch where all you need to do is put it on and put it in how water. Is there any disadvantages to the quick fletch compared to the regular quick spin vanes? any accuracy difference? thanks guys

 

[tdcour]

I shot quick fletch for years. They are good, but not great. If you never shoot past 50 or 60 in practice, I have no complaints, but when it comes to fixed broadheads, shooting at animals over 40-45 yards, and long distance shooting (even with practice) they aren't worth it. My buddy and I put on fletchings one year and I haven't looked back since. I now fletch all of my arrows with a RH helical with a bitzenburger jig. I also found that I enjoy it, but it is nice having the shrink fletch that is easy on easy off. Accuracy, even under 60, has been much improved as well.

 

[marcusvdk]

I have used quick fletch the work well I dont shoot long distance so can't say st distance how they shoot.

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[Retterath]

Maybe I might just buy a jig and fletch my own, do people buy just plain shafts so they can put on whatever vanes they want?

 

[tdcour]

That is what I do now. I bought my last shafts cut from Lancaster Archery. I put the inserts in, fletchings, lined up my BH and was ready to go. I really enjoyed making my own arrows. The best part about having all of that stuff is that you can do everything yourself and don't have to go to a pro shop somewhere to have them put another fletching on

 

[Team Kabob]

I have a bohning fletching jig now. It's not bad but it's one vane at a time. I looking at the arizona e-z fletch jig, it will do all 3 vanes at the same time.

 

[FINGERBUSTER]

I love to fletch,ive done hundreds! I feel it is way worth doing it yourself. We all have are own way of doin it ,but i find if ya put a little platinum plus cement on the tip and back of your fletch they stay on allot longer.and give the vane or feather time to rest on the jig .they set up better,making your work last longer. I think you will shoot better in the end learning to do your own set ups and arrow work! Shoot straight!!

 

[25contender]

I have always fletched my own arrows. Get yourself a good jig. The Bitzenburger is probably one of the best. Buy some vanes and go at it fletching arrows is easy.

 

[Cobbhunts]

There's not a better reason to buy yourself a good jig now haha. I love it when I screw up like that. Always gets me another toy!!

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[DaveZ]

I find that my DIY vanes stay on better then any that come with the arrows.
My procedure is:
1-remove all previous glue
2-wipe shaft with alcohol (70% alcohol or greater) Don't use the whiskey, that's for drinking!! After cleaning, besure not to touch the area after cleaning, the oils from your skin are enough to affect the bonding. If you want to use a wrap, apply after cleaning shaft.
3-Place your arrow into the fletching jig (Bitzenburger is still the best) and select your vane placement (right, left or straight helical)
4-Determine the distance you want the vane from your nock. Place your vane into the clamp at the desired position. Do not place the bottom of the vane directly against the bottom of the clamp. Leave about a 1/16th of an inch gap from the bottom of the clamp to the bottom of the vane. Some may suggest cleaning the bottom of the vane with alcohol. I would personally recommend not to.
4-Use a good high quality glue. (Fletch-tite platinum, Carbon Express express bond glue, etc.). Place small bead of glue on the bottom of the of the vane.
5-Place the vane clamp into the jig and place the vane against the arrow, starting from the back or nock side of the vane first and working toward the front to ensure good vane to arrow contact.
6- Follow recommended drying time. Some glues will set enough in 1 minute to remove clamp and move to next vane.
7-Adjust arrow for next vane and repeat from step 3 to 7 until complete.
8-After all vanes on arrow, place a drop of glue on the front and back of each vane were it contacts the arrow.
9-Repeat steps to finish your dozen arrows.!!

Also, to make sure the arrows fly well with fixed blade broadheads, make certain both ends of the arrows are square. G5's ASR (arrow squaring device) works great for this.

Good Luck building!!

Dave

 

[Cobbhunts]

Great post DaveZ, and +1 on the G5 ASD. Best $30 (or however much they are these days) you can spend for your archery tool box.

 

[tdcour]

Great post DaveZ, and +1 on the G5 ASD. Best $30 (or however much they are these days) you can spend for your archery tool box.

Agreed. That is exactly how I do it, but I use a different ASD. It is an arrow spinner and squaring device in one so I can square, build, then spin test, but any device is better than nothing. Definitely use alcohol like he mentioned. I have also heard that comet mixed with water can work too, but its way more messy, so I use alcohol.

 

[Rob P]

Over time having a jig will pay off. Fletchings fall off, get cut, whatever. Buying vanes in bulk is cheaper as well than buying prefletched arrows. I recommend using wraps as well. Makes stripping old Fletching way easier.

 

[Retterath]

Is there a recommended distance from nock to start vane and also the helical how do I know which one to get, not to knowledgable on this just always bought arrows with fletching,thanks for the advice

 

[tdcour]

I just went to bitzenburger's website. They recommend a right hand helical for right hand, but I'm not too entirely sure it really matters. As far as distance from the end of the arrow, I just eyeball it. Take a look at what factory fletched arrows are and try to get close to that. If I remember off the top of my head correctly, I'm somewhere around 1/2" from the end, but that is just a guess.

I shoot with my off colored vane up, some people shoot them on the side and some down... not sure what you do, but what I haven't been able to figure out is how to get it where my cock vane points up. I always have to move my nock, which also means that my bh alighnment gets off. Not sure on that one. Maybe someone can help with that

 

[Retterath]

thanks all for the info on the arrows and fletching

 

[DaveZ]

.. not sure what you do, but what I haven't been able to figure out is how to get it where my cock vane points up. I always have to move my nock, which also means that my bh alighnment gets off. Not sure on that one. Maybe someone can help with that

I assume you are using a Bitz. Just above the index dial on the bottom of the jig, there are three set screws. These will change where the index dial stops. Loosen one and tighten the other to see how the alignment changes. Don't tighten the screw's to much as you will not be able to turn the dial.

Good luck

 

[25contender]

On smaller carbons I still use the right hand helical clamp for vanes shorter than 3". Any vanes longer than 3" you might have to use a straight clamp and adjust the clamp with slight righthand offset. I shoot ACC ProHunters and with blazer vanes and the right hand helical works fine. Once you get the Bitzenburger clamp centering adjusted for your arrows you can fly through your arrow fletching. I have used lots of different glues and find that the Loctite Super Glue Gel Works the best. The only way to remove the fletching is with a knife.

 

[Doublefork]

Get a Arizona EZ fletch they are very easy to use, I use blazer vanes so I have the mini, I use the right helical, actually I have 2 so I can do to arrows by the time I get the second arrow done the glue is dry enough on the first arrow to take the jig off. Go to youtube and watch a video to see how easy it is I use arrow wraps and goat tuff glue.