glue vs. tape for fletches on a wooden arrow.

I called and asked what glue would work best on bare aluminum.  I got two tubes. I cleaned them with acitone until they squeaked. Made a six batch of four fletch four inch and put on herters four blade heads for turkey hunting.  I went down to a place where i had seen strutting years before, nothing.  coming back up the hill i noticed that someone had the same feathers as me and lost one.    It looked almost new so i put it in my pocket.  LaterI was sitting in a cedar cluster, looked at the ground and dang that guy who was losing feathers was here there were two more feathers on the ground.   Finally, the bell went off.  I could have gotten a littering ticket, so many feathers I was missing.   I use the tape, I put on three dabs of super glue, front, back and middle, I push the quill to seat the feather tight, and have not had a feather come lose since.  If your aluminum shafts are clean they stay, if you use three dabs of glue they do not come loose or get soft and move on a hot day.  The tape works.

[Stumpkiller]

I switched to tape two years ago for my Douglas fir & Minwax finish arrows and it has been all smiles and sunny days since.  No complaints.

[Jon Stewart]

Tape is so good that you have to use glue on the ends to keep the feathers on.  That has to help answer some of your questions.

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by Jon Stewart:
Tape is so good that you have to use glue on the ends to keep the feathers on.  That has to help answer some of your questions.

Exactly.  

If glue needs to be used, you aren't giving fletching tape a fair try.  Your are relying on the glue to keep the feathers on.  I'd like to hear from someone who actually uses ONLY fletching tape, and not just for a few shots, I'm talking hundreds like most anyone who practices, then hunts, does.

Either way, if it works for you, stick with it, just please don't sell Fletching tape as the "cure all" when glue is being used in conjunction with it.

[forestdweller]

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
   

Originally posted by Jon Stewart:
Tape is so good that you have to use glue on the ends to keep the feathers on.  That has to help answer some of your questions.

Exactly.  

If glue needs to be used, you aren't giving fletching tape a fair try.  Your are relying on the glue to keep the feathers on. I'd like to hear from someone who actually uses ONLY fletching tape, and not just for a few shots, I'm talking hundreds like most anyone who practices, then hunts, does.

Either way, if it works for you, stick with it, just please don't sell Fletching tape as the "cure all" when glue is being used in conjunction with it. [/b]

I only use fletching tape and my arrows have been through thousands of shots and plenty of complete target misses as well. Not once have I had to retape a feather on or even replace a feather.

I see no need to glue the front and back of a fletching that's using fletching tape. The key is that even fletching tape is using adhesive (a type of glue) and should be cured overnight for best results.

I can post pics of my fletching with just feathers and fletch tape being used if need be as proof.

My feathers are pretty worn up and the bond between the fletching and arrow shaft only gets tighter over time.

I'm using carbon arrows but have found they work just as well with aluminum. No glue necessary.

[Tim Finley]

Funny that you have to glue to keep the feathers on with tape why not just use glue . When I used tape all and I mean all my feathers fell off as soon as it got cold. My son kept using it and his slid in hot weather.

[ChuckC]

Well,  I use tape... and glue.  I use the tape to quickly fletch up a half dozen arrows. Then I put a dab of glue front and back and run a thin bead along the quill / arrow interstice.  I don't lose feathers, ever, that way.  and... it takes a very short time to build.  I always hated waiting 15 or more minutes between feathers.  In fifteen minutes I believe I can have 6 fully fletched.

[DanielB89]

I have done both.  Honeslty, I feel like i like the Tape more.  I put a dab of glue on the front as well(the exact same thing I do when using glue.  I don't put glue for the extra adhesion.  I use glue to keep the front of the quill from pulling up.


Fletching tape is a good product imo.

[slowbowjoe]

"I don't put glue for the extra adhesion. I use glue to keep the front of the quill from pulling up."
X2. I have had the tip of the quill lift with both glued feathers too. And had feathers come off when glued on. Had a set of custom arrows from a reputable sponsor here, and the nocks all popped off. I mentioned this, and he said he probably used some Duco that was past it's useful life.

Just sayin' - it's not always the adhesive that tells the whole story.

[two4hooking]

Glue for me.  Takes more time but is more durable in my opinion.

[30coupe]

I've used about every method to stick feathers to wood, carbon and aluminum arrows. I've found that they are all subject to failure if I don't clean BOTH the shafts and the quills with either acetone or denatured alcohol.

For several years, I've used the tape with excellent results. I do usually put a dab of glue at the front whether using glue or tape after having the sharp point of a quill stuck in my knuckle.

The last batch I made up with new feathers (a different brand) and tape came loose from the quill,but stuck to the aluminum shaft...WTF! I tried Duco...same. I tried Gorilla super glue...same! So I decided to wipe the quills down with alcohol as well... problem solved.

It's not always the adhesive.

[the rifleman]

I also always wipe quills and shafts down w alcohol.  As much as I wanted to like tape I hate it--- my feathers always start migrating around on the shaft after a little time.  I tack them down on the ends w glue-- have no idea what the issue is.  Just match finish of wood arrow w glue( try out on scrap dowel first and be sure you can rip feather off of wood after a day or two).

[Chain2]

I tried the tape. It was tough for me to get on the fletch ( Bi-Focals).. It didn't hold as well for me as the glue either.