Jojan Multifletcher

[DanielB89]

I just got a new to me fletching jig(jojan multi), and fletched up my first 1/2 dozen arrows with it last night.  I noticed after putting the first feather on that not all of the nocks are sticking out of the indexer(i think that's what it is  called) the same amount and ultimately resulted in fletchings at different distances from the valley of the nock.

Anyone know what the cause for this may have been?  it almost looks like some of the indexers may have a deeper valley than others.

[David Mitchell]

Are you sure you had the nocks pushed all the way down on the indexer?

Make sure your nock indexers are in the correct position. They are removeable, and reversible for 3 fletch or 4 fletch. Also, make sure that you apply slight pressure to the shaft to seat the nock all the way down in the indexer as you are putting the clamp on (the first hen feather tends to push out a bit if you do not do this).

Bisch

[riser]

I use a Jojan Multifletcher.  Firs thing to check is the reference point on the clamp where you place the rear of the feather.  Are all the notchs the same distance from the end of the clamp?  If you use a different reference point (ie a sharpie mark, or "scratch") , are they all uniform?

The second thing to do is to make sure your nock rings (index rings) are set at the same distance in the frame.  There should be a finite retention detent which keeps it in place. If you have a weak spring, you can easily push the index ring back, changing distances.

Third: be careful placing/holding shafts in place while applying the clamped feather in the glue process.  Sometime the shafts slides forward a bit as you place the clamped feather on the shart-creating variation.  

Fouth: If your nocks have various "tightness" levels, you may not be seating them fully/uniformly on the "cross bar" inside the index ring.  Also, related to earlier point, hold the index ring solid as you place the nocked shaft into the index ring-while seating the shaft.  This force can make the index ring slip out of the index detent.  All creating variation of depths yielding variation in fletch position.

The last thing I do before I put glue on the clamped feather, is to push each shaft into the index ring-with my other hand/finger on the outside of the index ring (so the force doesn't push out the ring). Then I check for shaft marks in relation tk the upper frame of the Johan. This gives me the "all clear" to place the clamp.  I will also repeat this "shaft stuffing" step on the just-glued / clamped shaft.  Then I move on to the next shaft. Wash, rinse, repeat....

Place all shafts/nocks in index ring, and then LOOK at the higher end of the JoJan frame and the shafts.  Are they all aligned in the same position?  You can generally pick up some reference point if there are graphics on the shaft.  If not, make a mark on the shaft where the upper/higher side of the frame is, so you do have a "reference point". ie, use silver Sharpie ring/mark around the shaft, or piece of tape/wrap, or paint.  If you see variation from the frame/reference mark on the shaft, something is not position properly/uniformly.

In short, just double check for variation in things that move or place things (clamp reference point, index ring, nock seating and tightness etc).

[DanielB89]

I did everything I knew to do. I have used one a few times, but not enough to get it down I guys.  The nocks are all the same, the indexers are all the same distance in, The nocks are all all the way in, they are all on the 3 fletch side, etc. But some have up to 1/8" difference in them.  I wish someone would have invested a little money to make the jigs have notches on them like the bitz.  I know i would replace all these with those.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Bisch:
 (the first hen feather tends to push out a bit if you do not do this).

Bisch

this happened to me as well.  The first fletched seated perfect, but i did notice the second one was not as perfect.  You live and learn.

[M60gunner]

Every once in awhile I forget to make sure the clamp is seated correctly. You really do not see it until you finish the arrow. But like you say a learning curve. Blitz is not a different. I had to learn with the helical clamp to make sure the quill was agianst the shaft.

[Roadkill]

riser nailed it as did bisch.  You can put some arrows down range with the thing after you learn its personality.  The other trick I use to keep the leading edge of the fletch down is to put a straight pin between the clamp and quill-  that little bit of pressure can make a difference.

I have left and right wing Jo-jans. I find that I use slightly different techniques with them depending on the left or right thing.  I leave about a 1/16" gap between quill and clamp, one thumb nail slide, when use glue.  I push it all the way to the clamp when I use tape.  With 5.5" feathers, I sometimes need to readjust the tip of the feather in the clamp, because the tip can veer off.  There is an art to getting things good with a Jo-Jan.  Once when an archery shop when belly up they had two sets of Bitz jig, a dozen each, mounted on Lazy Susans with many extra clamps and indexers.  One sold for $30 and another sold for $24, and I forgot my check book and didn't have much cash on me and they didn't take credit cards.  It has been thirty years and I am still sick about it.  Bitz jigs are easier in many ways.