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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: recurve maine on August 10, 2014, 05:03:00 PM

Title: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: recurve maine on August 10, 2014, 05:03:00 PM
I had 2 dozen FMJ's fletched with feathers, I can only get about 6-7 shots per before a feathers comes off. I know the shafts had been wiped down with Naptha prior to being fletched, any ideas?
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Kevin Dill on August 10, 2014, 05:09:00 PM
I've never found a simple wiping or cleaning to be sufficient when prepping aluminum or carbon shafts. There might be glues which make it possible, but I'm not aware of them. All my shafts get an abrasive scrubbing with either a fiber-pad or a sponge sanding pad. Dulling the surface is key for me. Of course, I crown dip every arrow I make, so it's not a problem to scrub them first. If I wasn't paint-dipping, I'd likely give them a clear dip before fletching. You might want to ask a dedicated pro shop how they fletch the FMJ.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: bigiron on August 10, 2014, 05:09:00 PM
that's why they came up with the wraps.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: karrow on August 10, 2014, 05:11:00 PM
do you know what glue was used.

i use super glue on my gt carbons with no trouble. lots of guys like fletch tite.

if its the same feather on every shaft it be a contact issue, but i bet its the glue
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Dorado on August 10, 2014, 05:12:00 PM
What glue are you using? You might need to sand the arrows just a little to give the glue something to stick to. I'm using Bohning Fletch tape with a dab of fletching glue on both ends and I'm not having any problems with mine. I'm shooting them out of my #60 longbow and have had to pull them through my target, and they hold tight.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: recurve maine on August 10, 2014, 05:35:00 PM
fletch tite is what was used. I am wondering if its because I have the "carpet side" for Velcro on my shelf and plate? Maybe the quill is getting stuck? I am shooting 340's though a 60lb Samick Sage(heavier then 60# though as I draw 29.5)Maybe I should consider new shelf material?
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: M60gunner on August 10, 2014, 05:51:00 PM
On bare carbon shafts I clean with acetone or fletch Laq thinner. No, I do not mind the oder. I use NPV glue from Saunders.
There is a lot of folks using the fletch tape with good success. There is a rather good thread about using tape, do a search to find it. Real good info.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: slim_grim on August 10, 2014, 05:51:00 PM
I use the carpet side of Velcro almost exclusively and have no problems. If you think it's causing a problem, you could trim it down a bit. I use fletch tape with a dab of Duco on both ends and have never had any issues. I'm a very impatient fletcher and spend very little time prepping the shafts. Usually just a quick wipe with alcohol.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: flinter on August 10, 2014, 06:48:00 PM
I do the same as Slim Grim. Fletch tape and a spot of glue on each end with Easton Legacys. Never any issues.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Firstlight on August 10, 2014, 06:53:00 PM
I can only say what I have done for years with no problems.

For alum shafts I scuff / sand the area to be fletched with steel wool and then clean well with acetone.

I only use fletch tape for feathers; I adhere fletching with drop of glue at each end of feather.  Sometimes I do run glue down the entire quill.

I never have any problems.

Good luck, I'm sure you will get it worked out soon.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: wingnut on August 10, 2014, 06:59:00 PM
fletchtite is really bad on carbons.  Switch to gel super glue and you'll be much happier.

Mike
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: JimB on August 10, 2014, 07:46:00 PM
There have been issues with Fletch-Tite Platinum on aluminum.It has been well documented.

From Bohning's site:"Platinum provides an incredible bond with carbon or wood shafts."
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Terry Lightle on August 10, 2014, 09:49:00 PM
I use Saunders NPV on carbon with no problems so far.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Red Beastmaster on August 10, 2014, 09:50:00 PM
Fletch Tite Platinum on aluminum is worthless unless you use a wrap. I'll never buy another tube.

I now use fletch tape or super glue gel on bare aluminum. Always add a dab of glue on the front and rear of your feather no matter what.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Stump73 on August 10, 2014, 10:52:00 PM
I use velcro for both side plate and rest and never had a problem. I use acetone on shaft and feather then use fletchtape and super glue on both ends. Shot in all types of weather and haven't lost a feather yet.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: TGbow on August 10, 2014, 11:14:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by wingnut:
fletchtite is really bad on carbons.  Switch to gel super glue and you'll be much happier.

Mike
What little bit I've fooled with carbons super glue gell works.
I use it on aluminum too.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: JamesV on August 11, 2014, 12:55:00 PM
Bulldog adhesive promoter
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Recurve50 LBS on August 11, 2014, 01:21:00 PM
I always clean my carbons and aluminum shafts with denatured alcohol and extra fine steel wool. I wipe them with a clean dry cloth rag. I use Gorilla super glue and it works great. On more thing I do is after removing the clamp after letting the glue set up 15-20 minutes I place a drop of glue on each end of the feathers. Try it out. Good luck.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Longbow58 on August 11, 2014, 02:09:00 PM
Clean shaft 99% alcohol with extra fine steel wool. Fletch with Bohning fletch tape. Dab of glue to the front of arrow. Works for me. Good luck!
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Wheels2 on August 11, 2014, 02:20:00 PM
If you want to use the fletching tape, great.  It works real well, especially on wood shafts.
I too have suffered from the same problem.  I have found that the Platinum glue works better than the standard, but none of them seem to work well once the glue gets old.  When i get to the bottom 1/3 of the tube, the glue seems to start to become thicker.  It is then that it doesn't held as well.
The only thing I do to prep new shafts is to wipe them with a bit of Gun Scrubber sprayed onto a paper towel.  Acetone works for me as well.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Rustic on August 11, 2014, 02:24:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by recurve maine:
I had 2 dozen FMJ's fletched with feathers, I can only get about 6-7 shots per before a feathers comes off. I know the shafts had been wiped down with Naptha prior to being fletched, any ideas?
I used "Fletch-Tite" for years with no problems. Now I use "Goat-Tuff". I wipe the surface down with acetone and ruff it up with steel wool or emory sand paper.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: recurve maine on August 11, 2014, 02:35:00 PM
Thank you all so much for the tips, I knew I would receive some great suggestions on here
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Tall Paul on August 11, 2014, 02:43:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by okla bearclaw:
I use Saunders NPV on carbon with no problems so far.
x2
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: Jon Stewart on August 11, 2014, 02:58:00 PM
I had the same problem on 3 dozen arrows I fletched up for a youth ranch.  The feathers either fell off or you could just pull them off.

I have been making arrows for 40 years and never had that problem so I am blaming on bad glue.

This has turned into an expensive donation because I just got them back to refletch.
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: ddauler on August 11, 2014, 04:45:00 PM
Carbon aint carbon I had the same issue with beeman ICS shafts switched to tape no issues. I agree with Kevin Dill always use an abrasive and denatured alcohol. With gold tip you can get by without it but it won't hunt. I now am back to wood poly and family dollar duco cause I'm cheap!
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: the rifleman on August 11, 2014, 05:17:00 PM
I use onestringer wraps on alum carbon and yes even wood. Wipe w alcohol and fletch w fletchtite platinum. The onestringer wraps are great!
Title: Re: Feathers keep coming off
Post by: the rifleman on August 11, 2014, 05:18:00 PM
I use onestringer wraps on alum carbon and yes even wood. Wipe w alcohol and fletch w fletchtite platinum. The onestringer wraps are great!