posted
Is it just the nature of the beast or are feather fletchings just not very durable? I have been having problems with feathers coming apart after only 10-15 times through the bow. I'm shooting longbows off the shelf.
Do I need to change something with my tuning or is it just time to keep a supply of replacement feathers on hand??
Posts: 347 | From: Wasilla, Alaska | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
No problems here,off the shelf with my curves and my Widow long bow,cock feather in,what feather or feathers you having the problem with?
Posts: 80 | From: Ontario , Canada | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Do you have velcro on your shelf or side plate? It may be ripping your feathers apart.
Feathers are more durable and reliable than vanes. You should get many many many many shots off before having a problem like that.
-------------------- Traditional: Of or pertaining to tradition; derived from tradition Posts: 770 | From: Houma, LA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
These are the fletchings I'm using. I say feathers, but I don't know for sure if they are actual dyed feathers or what -
I have the soft side of the velcro on a couple of bows, but today I was getting damage just shooting off the wood shelf. I have the shelf curved so it should feed the fletchings easily.......
I'm not sure what the cause is.
Posts: 347 | From: Wasilla, Alaska | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have some feather fletches that just seem brittle, and they flop around a lot where the barbs join the quill. I don't know if it is because perhaps the dying process involves heat and a breaking down of the feathers in order to accept the colors, or if the birds just grew crummy feathers. I have not had such issues with undyed feathers.
Killdeer
-------------------- Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
~Longfellow
TGMM Family Of The Bow Posts: 15035 | From: Fibber McGee's Closet, VA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The quality of feathers have dropped. This is due to the fast growing, steroid fed birds of today. Just this year Trueflight stopped selling premium full length feathers. They can not get them anymore. Not much we can do.
posted
something is hitting somewhere .it could be ever so slight dose it appear that the edge of the feather is slightly burnt. I would try what dartwick said reposition your cock feather. That can help at times.good luck if that dont work come on back
Posts: 1496 | From: Sykesville, Maryland | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Those look like the laegacys I shoot. I have just started using wild turkey feathers and have noticed they are a lot stiffer than the feathers that come on the legacys. I don't know if it is the feather or the process used to prepare them for coloring, or the rapid growth. Most damage I see see is from abuse they receive in thhe quiver of being hit by arrows when i shoot well.
-------------------- "Our outdoor heritage owes more to the countless Lords who questioned and explored than to Lord Ripon, who simply chose to shoot and tally." E.D.Thomas Jr. Posts: 3197 | From: Waldoboro, Maine | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
They are Legacys (cheapest). I'm wondering if I'm not positioning the nock point high enough. Basically my tuning method has been using a basic wood workers square on the string to the shelf and squaring the bottom of the arrow. I then put the nock point above the nock and pinch it down. I have started shooting 3 under so do I need to raise the nock point to compensate?
I guess it is time to invest in a bow square....
Posts: 347 | From: Wasilla, Alaska | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
If your saying your arrow is mostly square to the shelf then yes higher would be better start about 3/8 inch up to 5/8 and even more is possible.
I've never shot off the shelf with less than 3/8 inch. Sounds like your bouncing off the shelf. A regular bow square that snaps on the string is a good investment. Ron
-------------------- United Bowhunters of Mo Comptons PBS NRA " Who invented the term "adult language" when it's really Profanity?" Tom Kidwell Posts: 1779 | From: Warsaw, Missouri | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I builts a long bow a few years ago and had the same problem. I had to play with arrow spine and brace heigth. If brace heigth was too low the arrow would hit my bone shelf and damage the fletch.
Posts: 123 | From: Tipp City, Ohio | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was wondering about brace height too. I know your brace height has to be enough to keep the fletching from hitting the bow, but is there a tuning guide for brace height? I remember hearing it is one of those things you want to keep as low as possible, but there are reasons you have to increase it also...
Posts: 347 | From: Wasilla, Alaska | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
