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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: stickbowmaniac on May 10, 2010, 08:35:00 PM

Title: Fletching Tape
Post by: stickbowmaniac on May 10, 2010, 08:35:00 PM
I was wondering how good of luck you have had using tape.Does it hold up in hunting conditions?I recently bought some from 3 rivers and fletched a few wood shafts.Seems to be holding good so far.I want to make up my hunting arrows for this season so i need yal input.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: BCWV on May 10, 2010, 08:40:00 PM
I love the stuff. It's all I use other than a spot of fletch tite on each end of the feather.

 My feathers wear out before they come off on their own.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Charlie Lamb on May 10, 2010, 08:46:00 PM
So far I don't like the big lump at the end of the feathers after a few wraps around. Will try only wrapping it around a couple of times.
Also seems to attract dust and stuff. Just too much sticky showing for my taste.

 


  :D
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: wv lungbuster on May 10, 2010, 08:47:00 PM
It's all I use also
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: BOWMARKS on May 10, 2010, 08:47:00 PM
Been useing for about seven years never had any problems . As long as you put a drop of glue on each end of feather they hold up super and can fletch a dozen in less than an hour if you need to!! Also when and if you want to refletch the shafts a hand held hair dryer loosens the tape right up and you can peel the fletching right off.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: jcar315 on May 10, 2010, 09:13:00 PM
I will 2nd what others have already said. It is all I use now. Much cleaner than glue by a long shot. After taking off the clamp I run my knife along the length of the feather to really "seat" it on the shaft. Flatten the leading edge and put some glue on both ends and ready to shoot. I have never had a problem and all my hunting arrows are taped. No issues in cold or rain either.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: ronnyg on May 10, 2010, 09:20:00 PM
For me, it's easier to untape my fingers than it is to unglue them!
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: KentuckyTJ on May 10, 2010, 09:22:00 PM
It works fine, but you need to super glue the ends of your feathers so I don't know why you just don't use the super glue all the way down. I use the gel super glue and can fletch them much faster than taping them. Also the super glue sets up in a few seconds and you can shoot them right when you're done fletching. The tape can scoot on you if you aren't careful. You also need to run something down the fletch after you take the clamp off to seat the tape. Just more steps with the tape.

For me since you have to glue the ends of the fletch anyway it seems simpler to just use glue.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: 8888blk on May 10, 2010, 09:38:00 PM
The biggest advantage of fletch tape is when you re-fletch. You don't need to spend an hour scraping of old glue and take the chance of gouging an expensive carbon.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Islandlongbow on May 10, 2010, 09:39:00 PM
Charlie you need to get out of the house and go hunting   :laughing:
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Shakes.602 on May 10, 2010, 09:45:00 PM
"SAUNDERS NPV FLETCHING CEMENT"  :readit:   Hmmmmmm........  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: portugeejn on May 10, 2010, 09:51:00 PM
I use fletch tape with a dab of duco on either end.  I have had one feather come loose-it was on an arrow that I lost in a tree, and then found almost a year later-one of the feathers had released from the tape.  The other two were fine.  I'd say that was pretty good for a west Oregon winter!

RonP
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: stickbowmaniac on May 10, 2010, 10:13:00 PM
Sounds like the tape is defintly gone on my new hunting arrows.Thats awesome that it's durable and you can remove it so easy.Now i don't have to sit and wait for glue to dry when fletching.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Rob DiStefano on May 11, 2010, 05:26:00 AM
i've completely switched over to fletching tape for all arrow types - carbon, wood and alum.

tape fletching holds up solid under any and all hunting conditions.  i've found grass buried tape fletched arrows out in the woods a year after losing them and the fletchings are stuck down firm and need to be scraped off with a blade in order to refletch.  

as suggested, a dab of any cement at the feather ends makes sure the quill transitions nicely onto the shaft and adds a measure of securing.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: ishoot4thrills on May 11, 2010, 06:20:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
So far I don't like the big lump at the end of the feathers after a few wraps around. Will try only wrapping it around a couple of times.
Also seems to attract dust and stuff. Just too much sticky showing for my taste.

 


    :D  
I don't get it. What's he talking about? He's joking, right??

I love fletch tape. Works great for me.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: northoz on May 11, 2010, 06:35:00 AM
Would not use any thing else,clean,fast and strong.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Pete Arthur on May 11, 2010, 09:01:00 AM
Tape gets my vote too! Like the others have said, it's much faster than glue.
I shoot off my knuckle, so the dab of glue at the front edge is critical.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Charlie Lamb on May 11, 2010, 09:16:00 AM
Douglas... Yes, I was joking. Although I still prefer glue for fletching, fletch tape appears to be  a popular and reliable product.

Just can't suppress the thoughts that pop into my head sometimes.
   ;)
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Autumnarcher on May 11, 2010, 09:26:00 AM
Its all I use, great stuff. Much faster too,  ican do a dozen arrows in under an hour. Just found an arrow in the woods while morel hunting thats been there at least 2-3 yesrs. Still couldnt pull the feather off.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: ronp on May 11, 2010, 09:35:00 AM
It's all I use.  And if I can fletch an arrow, ANYBODY can!  I also put a small bit of Fletch-Tite on each end of the feather.  The tip for using a hairdrier to remove the tape is a good one.  I will try it next time.  Thanks.
The other RonP
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: BowHuntingFool on May 11, 2010, 10:17:00 AM
Its all been said, love the stuff!
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: joekeith on May 11, 2010, 10:39:00 AM
Yep...  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: jmh on May 11, 2010, 10:52:00 AM
I have used the tape for a couple of years and haven't had any problems.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Bill Kissner on May 11, 2010, 10:54:00 AM
Funny Funny Charlie!  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Sean B on May 11, 2010, 11:17:00 AM
i've been using it for years now.  i've found arrows that i lost the year before, and the tape is still solid.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Teacher_of_the_Arcane on May 11, 2010, 11:51:00 AM
This is what my Boy Scouts use when we make arrows for the Troop.  The arrows are lost or broken before the feathers come off.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: string bean on May 11, 2010, 01:37:00 PM
I like the Bohning tape but I got some others (can't remember the brand) that I just don't like.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: StickBowManMI on May 11, 2010, 02:35:00 PM
I use it all the time on all types of shafts. I usually leave my quiver full of arrows in the card at all times. Sometimes in the summer time, I have found shafts that the feather has shifted from the heat using the tape but that is my fault for leaving them in a hot car. I love the fletching tape and find it great to use!
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: mahantango on May 11, 2010, 02:36:00 PM
Yeah, stick with the Bohning. Also it does seem to have a shelf life.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: medicineman on May 11, 2010, 05:49:00 PM
love the tape--all i use now

that charlie fella "aint right" (probably using double sided tape) lol  :bigsmyl:    :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: stickbowmaniac on May 11, 2010, 06:42:00 PM
Man this stuff almost seems like the best thing since sliced bread.I appreciate all the input guys.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: ishoot4thrills on May 11, 2010, 06:54:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Douglas... Yes, I was joking. Although I still prefer glue for fletching, fletch tape appears to be  a popular and reliable product.

Just can't suppress the thoughts that pop into my head sometimes.
    ;)  
Whew! I was worried there for a minute! You got me there for sure. I thought,.......surely, he's not.......naw! Then, I thought, he must be kidding!

Thanks for the reassurance!
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Warren Cowen on May 11, 2010, 06:55:00 PM
I have no problem with it. Works great for me.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: acolobowhunter on May 12, 2010, 11:48:00 AM
Been using it for a long time and really like it.  No weather problems with feathers coming off like using glue.

No one has mentioned:  When using glue, everytime I needed it, the glue was dried out.  Tossed away a lot of tubes that were at least 1/2 full.  Don't have that problem using the tape.  You will get several dozen shafts from 1 roll of tape.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Over&Under on May 12, 2010, 11:51:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by acolobowhunter:
Been using it for a long time and really like it.  No weather problems with feathers coming off like using glue.

No one has mentioned:  When using glue, everytime I needed it, the glue was dried out.  Tossed away a lot of tubes that were at least 1/2 full.  Don't have that problem using the tape.  You will get several dozen shafts from 1 roll of tape.
Took the words right out of my mouth!
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Tyler2045 on May 12, 2010, 12:00:00 PM
I am having problems with the tape not sticking to my stained wood arrows. Any suggestions.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: KumaSan on May 12, 2010, 12:10:00 PM
I believe the next set of arrows I fletch will have the tape, because I won't have to wait as long between feathers. Thanks for the thread.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: Rackman on May 12, 2010, 03:20:00 PM
Use it all the time, works great, just dab a little fletch tight glue on ends of fletch when finished.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: harvestmoon on May 12, 2010, 03:32:00 PM
Fletching tape...seems to somewhat cleaner to use, and I seem to end up doing more feathers/$ spent. Oh ya, much much easier to refletch.
Title: Re: Fletching Tape
Post by: hayslope on May 12, 2010, 04:17:00 PM
Use tape all the time now.........anyone want some "vintage" fletching cement/glue?......some are almost mint!