Post by: rich k on May 30, 2024, 01:20:47 PM
Cleaning glue residue from shaft
I have found that a vegetable/potato peeler will cleanglue residue from carbon and aluminum shafts without injuring the surface of the shaft. I have not tried it on woodies. A little alcohol will remove any remaining traces. Be sure to buy another one for the kitchen.
Arrow collars
To help protect carbon, and possibly aluminum, arrow shafts from splitting at the nock end when the arrow strikes something solid, like a rock, it is helpful to add a collar in front of the nock. The commercial ones can be spendy. They also weight about 4 grains. No sure if this impacts arrow flight. I used a piece of wire shrink wrap on a carbon shaft that had split about 1/2 “at the nock end. I was curious to see how well it would work so I did not use any adhesive or epoxy to seal the split, just the shrink tubing. It has held the split together for about 50 shots. So, I purchased a 10-foot roll of 3/8” (.375) on Amazon for $12. I have applied a 1/2” piece on each my carbon arrows to hopefully prevent any future splits when hitting something other than the appropriate target. The cost for each ½” was 5 cents. The brand I bought comes in 10 colors plus clear. It also comes in various diameters. It can shrink to 1/3 of its original diameter so I think the resulting strength should be pretty good. A ½” piece weighs 1/7th of a grain.
Use a hair dryer or something similar. My first attempt at shrinking the tubing with a BernzOmatic torch didn’t work out so well.
Sanding the base of feathers
I have managed, over the years, to cut my left index finger a few times from the impact of the leading edge of a feather when shooting with less-than-ideal form. I always used to put an extra bit of glue on the front of the feathers after fletching. But sometimes the base of the feather was just too thick and it would catch either on the rest, or my finger. I solved this problem by using a feather clamp before glue-up to hold the feather and sanding it lightly so that it is paper thin at the front. It takes very little sanding and results in a very clean, smooth connection at the front end. Sand the entire length but put more pressure on the front. This will ensure a straight base on the feather. No more finger cuts!
Hope these tips are helpful
Post by: Kodiak Fan on May 30, 2024, 07:27:08 PM
Post by: McDave on May 30, 2024, 07:50:28 PM
I have stabbed myself more than I want to with quills on the leading edge of feathers. One thing I have found is that when I rotate my arrows in the fletcher every 15 minutes, the glue has set up, but is not completely dry. This means that if I press down on the leading edge of any quill that is not well seated, it will become seated on the shaft and stay there.
Post by: Rob DiStefano on May 30, 2024, 08:31:44 PM
Also good to note that any weight added to the aft/nock end of an arrow will increase its dynamic spine to some degree, which is the opposite of adding weight to the point end of an arrow, only a bit more so.
Post by: Walt Francis on May 30, 2024, 08:56:46 PM
Post by: Larry m on May 30, 2024, 10:22:49 PM
As far as the sanding of the leading end of the fletch it brings up the lack of quality in fletching anymore. Previously it was not an issue with a little dab of glue but lately the quill on some of what I'm getting justifies what you're suggesting.
Thanks for your post......... :thumbsup:
Post by: Wudstix on May 30, 2024, 11:37:14 PM
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Post by: Pat B on May 30, 2024, 11:41:10 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/DAlQMdO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/A7GwoxG.jpg)
Post by: rich k on May 31, 2024, 01:25:30 PM
Post by: Wheels2 on June 15, 2024, 06:57:19 AM
Post by: Honest Jon on June 26, 2024, 09:08:58 AM
Your comment about thinning the front of feather fletching quills is a great one. I think I get too hung up on keeping the quills even throughout the entire length. Thin toward the front really does help them lay down close and reduces “OUCH”!
Honest Jon
Post by: Onski316 on June 26, 2024, 09:52:25 AM
Post by: Rob DiStefano on June 26, 2024, 10:11:11 AM
Post by: Mint on June 28, 2024, 09:15:01 AM
Post by: Zing on July 02, 2024, 07:43:45 AM
Post by: Philbow on July 02, 2024, 08:12:46 AM
This sounds exactly like something I would do, like you, once.
Post by: Longtoke on July 03, 2024, 02:44:48 AM
Anyone else like to rub/ burnish some thin CA glue into their carbons when you see a little scuff or scrape appear? I feel like it seals them back up nicely and gives me piece of mind. I always give them a good flex and tap test before shooting, but I feel like I extend the life of my arrows this way.
Post by: Longtoke on July 03, 2024, 02:47:53 AM