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Topic Archives => How To - Resources => Topic started by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 12:13:00 PM

Title: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 12:13:00 PM: Hi gang!
As requested I am going to show how I do my feather splicing. As we are going, please feel free to ask questions. Just cause I think I am making sense doesn't always mean I am. ;)
oh and forgive my spelling mistakes.
To get started, please gather up...

1 scrap 2x4
1 sharp xacto knife or similar
1 roll of fletch tape
1 feather clamp from a fletching jig
2 full length uncut feathers of different colors
1 emry board or dremel with sanding barrel
1 ruler
1 sharpening tool. (it's much easier if you keep your blade sharp, as cutting feathers dulls them quickly)

1 roll of fletch tape.
...

got it? great.

Place out your 2x4 and measure out 5 1/2" and mark. (this is assuming you want to make a 5" feather)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0022.jpg)

then draw a vertical line accross the wood.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0021.jpg)

Next measure from the line 2 1/2" toward where the front of the feather will be, mark, and draw another vertical line accross the board.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0022.jpg)

your board should look something like this..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0023.jpg)

Now, take up the feather you will use as your "Base" or in this case what color do you want the front of the feather to be.
Place it on the board and cut it at the 5 1/2" line.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0025.jpg)

Our base feather is all set. Place it on the wood as if you were going to cut it. Starting at the 2 1/2 " line cut along the top of the spine of the feather toward the back end, but stop just shy of the 5 1/2" line.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0027.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/endsplice1stcut.jpg)

The reasone for stopping is that you'll use the last few frills of the feather to pull up the membrain.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 12:19:00 PM: pull out the feather "frills" you cut. Your feather should look like...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0031.jpg)

Look at the diagram below. The red "x"'s is where id like you to use the knife and "score" across the membrain, but don't cut the foam "base" of the feather.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/membraincut-endsplice.jpg)

Using the BACK side of your kife, trap the remaining frills between your thumb and knife.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0035.jpg)

Hold on to the very tip end of the feather base and PULL!!! Pull all the way up to where you began your frill cut. If you did your scoring right the membrain will come up off the foam but stop at the score and tear away. use your knive or file to clean up any defiant frills.
It should now look like:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0038.jpg)

Set the base feather aside, and take up the feather you want to splice in. Now at this point I want you to look at your feathers and notice the angle at which the frills come off the feather base. See how as they move away from the front of the feather the angle changes? Because of this it is important that you try to splice in the same area of feather from one to the other. If you do this, it will make the splices go MUCH MUCH easier.
Ok, lay your new feather on the 2x4 and cut it at 5 1/2".
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0039.jpg)

Then cut it again at the 2 1/2" line!The part between the lines is the part you want to use.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0040.jpg)

Now we get to one of the most critical points to getting great fitting splices. The base ends of this piece need to be cleaned up. Now I am talking really small cuts. you want the base cut away as close to the "frills" as possible without cutting the frills off. You allso want your cuts to be squar up and down and left to right.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0042.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/spliceinfeathercutends.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 12:22:00 PM: besides cutting to squar up the ends of the splice piece you can also use your file or sander. I often use a commbination of both.

*well I have to go for a while. Time to give a lecture on Massage therapy, it's history, styles, and benefits.
I'll continue late this afternoon.
Derek
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: doeboy on February 26, 2008, 12:36:00 PM: This is sweet! I have wanted to try this!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: JC on February 26, 2008, 01:49:00 PM: Already learning stuff...thanks Derek!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:09:00 PM: hi back, lets continue...

once you have "squared" up the ends of the piece to be spliced in I like to give it a test fit with the base feather.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0044.jpg)

A very good fit already on this one. If you look closely you'll see some how my splice ended up shorter then the base. Not to worry, since we had and extra 1/2" on the back end of the feather any way I just cut to fit.

Once I think the fit is good, I take the splice piece (the brown one in my case) and I place it in the feather clamp from my fletching jig.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0046.jpg)

Next I use my dremmel sander and I sand away as much of the foam bottom as I can without damaging the membrain. I usually leave a very very thin layer of foam, so don't sand ALL the way down. (might want to wear something to cover the mouth and nose for this part)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0048.jpg)

I have found that if I take off all the foam it weakens the membrain and later the feather "frills" fall off after putting the arrow through a bow a few times.

Once I am done sanding I simply blow the shavings off.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0049.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:13:00 PM: Next I take the fletch tape and run a length of it on the entire bottom of the splice feather in the clamp.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0050.jpg)

I cut the back end.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0051.jpg)

then I use the back of the knife to press the extra front tape down onto the clamp.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0052.jpg)

Then I use the blade of the knife to lift up the red part of the tape.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0053.jpg)

then I cut off the excess tape off the front.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0054.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:20:00 PM: Remove the splice feather, and place it on the main feather base. Be sure to fit the front of the splice feather snugly into the "v" of the base feather. On the other hand don't over do it either.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0057.jpg)

Congrats! you just completed your splice. It should look something like...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0059.jpg)

Now all thats left to do is place it in your chopper of choice..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0063.jpg)

.. and !wham!!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/basic%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0065.jpg)

you now have your first spliced feather. WooHoo!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:22:00 PM: It's important you get these "baisics" down because what we are going to do next builds off them.

Next will be what I call a double end splice.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Goose on February 26, 2008, 05:24:00 PM: Nice job guy! That took a lot of work to do this post. The pictures, typing and down loading, not to mention the feather work. It is appreciated!
Goose
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:25:00 PM: Thanks Goose,
just getting started really. muahahahahaha *evil laugh*
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:42:00 PM: The double end splice.

Look at your 2x4. It's time to add another line. We are going to put a line in some where between the first two you made. Where you put it is up to you, but the farther from the front line it is, the wider your your first color of the two color end splice is going to be.
As I recall, I made mine 2/16th of and inch back from the front line, but can't remember for certain. It's really up to you.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0001.jpg)

I do the exact same procedure with the base feather as I did in the baisic end splice. no difference at all. EXACTLY THE SAME, i.e. I cut the frill from stripped the base feather from the first line to the last line.

I decided that I wanted white as my base feather, a strip of read, then the brown.

First I cut the red feather and mesured the length from between the first two lines.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0003.jpg)

Then I measured and cut the brown feather from between the last two lines.

Now comes the most important part. I "squar" up the ends of both the brown and red splices. I trim them as close to the front and back "frill" of the feater splice as I can without damaging them.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0004.jpg)

Next I put the brown and red together getting the feather "frills" to do that zipper trick they do and get them to stick together. I test the fit.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0005.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:49:00 PM: It's crucial that they fit just perfect. I wasn't happy with the fit between the red and brown. After looking at it, I decided the back of the red needed some more work. So I did some sanding on it with the dremmel. (I suggest using an emry board at first as the dremmel is more likely to destroy the feather "frill")
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0006.jpg)

Once done, I retested the fit and it was lovely!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0007.jpg)

Look closely, can you see the difference between the two fit pictures? the difference is sublte, but makes a world of difference on the quality of your splice at the end product.
When doing these double splices like this is why it's so importnat to use parts of feathers from the same general length along the quill. You can use parts from differing lengths, but because of the different angles of the "frills" it will fight you, and I never seem to get as good a fit as I demand.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 05:57:00 PM: Once happy wiht the fit, I take the red and brown out, keeping them "ziplocked" together and I place them in the flech clamp, just as I did with the single splice.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0008.jpg)

again I use the dremmel to sand them down. I do them together.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0009.jpg)

Once done, I lay down 1 piece of fletch tape over BOTH of the splice colors in the jig, thus securing them together.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0010.jpg)

I take them out and place them on the base feather snugly in the "V".
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0011.jpg)

It should look like...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0012.jpg)

see..no gaps.

again place in chopper...WHAM!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/double%20end%20splice%20photos/DSCF0013.jpg)

instant doulbe end splice feather.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 06:04:00 PM: Next we'll be doing a middle splice
and after that the dreaded tripple mid splice!!
*play loud scary music*
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: ishiwannabe on February 26, 2008, 06:09:00 PM: You make it look easy! Great tutorial.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Over&Under on February 26, 2008, 06:10:00 PM: Awesome!!! Always wondered how that was done, had some ideas, but sure is nice to see it done step by step, Excellent!!!!!

Thanks Bard1!!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 06:42:00 PM: Jamie,
with practice it's not that hard really. That being said, if the fit isn't right, even after you use fletch tape, rip it out and do it over. When I am having problems, it's usually do to trying to use parts of feathers that don't have quills at the same angle.

Oh and one other thing while I am thinking of it...black..black "frills" are much stiffer then other colors and I have had difficulty at times getting them to "zip" up with the other splices. I attribute this to how black feathers are dyed.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 07:12:00 PM: The middle splice

To do a mid splice you need to determine at one point in the feather you want the splice to be. Go ahead and on your board draw those lines in.

Start by cutting your base feather at the baisic 5 1/2".
Then cut the feather "frills" off just like you did in the last two splice alongs. Again be sure to stop a little before the back line.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/midspliceopeningcut.jpg)

Use your knife to score the membrain where you see the 2 red x's on picture above. These x's should coralate with the begginging and end of where you want your splice to be put in.

Use the left over "frills" with the back of your xacto and thumb to lift off the membrain.
When done your feather should look like..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/midspliceopeningcutfinished.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 07:18:00 PM: Set aside the base feather and take up the color you want to splice in. Cut it to the propper length.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0017.jpg)

Trim the ends like we have been doing, and test the fit.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0018.jpg)

what you don't want is...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/midsplicefinishedwithabadfitfront.jpg)

or...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/midsplicefinishedwithabadfitinback.jpg)

or some combination of both.
what you DO want is..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0018.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/diagrams%20for%20splice%20along/midsplicefinishedwithagoodfit.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 07:19:00 PM: Once the fit is good, place the splice in the feather clamp, sand, tape, and put in place.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0019.jpg)

Put it in the feather chopper and WHAM! your good to go.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: artvin on February 26, 2008, 07:30:00 PM: Brad. Thank you. I have really struggled with this in the past and ended up cheating...lol.
Nice method.
Art
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: titus bass on February 26, 2008, 08:14:00 PM: Hey thanks for doing this - one the best tutorials I have ever seen. thank you, thank you.
Jon :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: bbassi on February 26, 2008, 09:01:00 PM: nice tutorial Bard1. Question, do you ever have a problem with fltching that "whistles"? Seems like every time I try this my arrows whistle.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bowtie on February 26, 2008, 10:15:00 PM: Thanks Bard1. Really appreciate your time.
Jerry
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 10:38:00 PM: Bbassi,
whenever you splice you create the opertunity for increased noise. Thats one reason why its so imparitive that you have a perfect fit. If there is any hole at the splice you will get whistling. If noise is a concern I honestly recomend that a person not use spliced fletching.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 11:16:00 PM: the triple mid splice.

Again to start the tripple mid splice you'll need to add some lines to your 2x4. You'll need 4 lines before you 5 1/2" line. Here is what my 2x4 looks like.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0020.jpg)

As before lay out and cut the base feather at 5 1/2" Then cut out the "frills" just as you did with the middle splice.
Once the base feather is prepaired set it aside.
between the first two lines take the first color splice and cut
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0021.jpg)
, then clean up the ends as usual.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0023.jpg)

Reapeat the process for the color between the last two midle area lines.

Last take the third color and measure between the two inner lines and cut.
After you squar up the ends, put the three midle pieces together and test thier fit.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0024.jpg)
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 26, 2008, 11:41:00 PM: Once you are happy with the fit Test the fit with the base feather.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0025.jpg)

Just as before, place the three splice pieces in the clamp and sand down. Tape with fletch tape. Then place on the base feather as before.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Mid%20splice%20photos/DSCF0027.jpg)

chop to shape and your done!

Well that's it. I hope you learned and enjoyed the process.
Derek
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: DesertDude on February 26, 2008, 11:58:00 PM: Very, Very.......Nice
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: J. Adams on February 27, 2008, 02:14:00 AM: Impressive! Thank you for sharing with us!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: RGK on February 27, 2008, 07:23:00 AM: Great instruction.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: brettlandon on February 27, 2008, 08:01:00 AM: This is one of my favorite build-alongs ever! You forgot some things on your list though. 1500 watts of high intensity quartz halogen light and one or two pair of bifocal glasses (or jewler specs), these are essential for this level of detail. :bigsmyl:

Maybe I'll teach my kids how to do this...nah, better buy them already done. Much safer that way! :biglaugh:

-Brett
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 27, 2008, 10:43:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by brettlandon:
This is one of my favorite build-alongs ever! You forgot some things on your list though. 1500 watts of high intensity quartz halogen light and one or two pair of bifocal glasses (or jewler specs), these are essential for this level of detail. :bigsmyl:

-Brett
Thanks Brett!
If you guys and gals have any questions, please ask away or send me a pm.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: BMN on February 27, 2008, 11:20:00 AM: Great thread Derek! Thanks so much!

Have you ever tried stripping the membrain and frills off the splice piece and then cutting it to the size you need? I've seen it done this way and wondered if it has any advantages or disadvantages to sanding off the base as you have shown.

Bill
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on February 27, 2008, 12:07:00 PM: *thinking* no I have never tried it that way. At least not on the store bought died turky feathers. I have done it that way with real wild turky feathers. I strip the feather off the quill and then splice it in with no sanding. Your idea has merit BMN. It would be worth trying. The potential problem I see is damaging the frill attachment at the membrain but other then that... Wow thanks I am gonna try this!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: jrchambers on February 27, 2008, 01:58:00 PM: i found that mine turned out cleaner if i chopped and flethced the arow first then cut in the splice and use some fly tying scisors to make it all even, i think it is because i use a az easy fletch kinda rough on the splice.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Walt Francis on February 28, 2008, 10:20:00 PM: Thanks Derek, great tutorial!! I needed another excuse to spend some time in my archery room.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: hera on September 27, 2008, 01:22:00 PM: great tutorial. :clapper: :clapper:
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: tradtusker on September 27, 2008, 01:50:00 PM: good job thanks Brad! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: blueline on September 27, 2008, 05:17:00 PM: Thank you for taking the time to teach your craft.

Mutch appreaciated

blueline
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: SOS on September 27, 2008, 05:38:00 PM: Awesome...thanks!
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Chris Surtees on September 27, 2008, 05:41:00 PM: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bakes168 on September 27, 2008, 05:48:00 PM: WOW! That's a beautiful feather.

Bakes
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: Bard1 on November 20, 2008, 07:07:00 PM: Back by popular demand...wel ok some one asked me how I do my splicing and instead of doing this ALLLLLL over again I am brining it back up to the top.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: TimZeigler on November 21, 2008, 08:56:00 AM: :thumbsup: Thats good stuff right there. Should move that one to the "How To" section.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: JC on November 21, 2008, 09:06:00 AM: Yep, Derek's posts sure did help me with my splices. I thought this had been copied to the How-to's...I'll get on it now.
Title: Re: Feather splice-along 2.0
Post by: b.glass on November 21, 2008, 09:11:00 AM: Very nice tutorial Derek! Thank you! I love your work.