Custom Feather Burn-along

[Tom Leemans]

That's a man's feather burner right there, waivin' yer hands over fire...

 

[Fritz Brown]

I gave this a whirl this weekend.  You see I have a big ol' box of feathers, but no chopper or burner.  So I built myself a fam-dancy new wood and torch feather burner and proceeded to burn me a set of feathers for an arrow.  Next week, after the burn blisters heal up, I'll burn me some feathers for a second arrow.  At this rate, by July I should have a dozen arrows fletched up  

I'm thinking I might put a handle on the rig...

-Fritz

[marc_groleau]

Fritz,
Try clamping the feather between the two halves of the jig with a spring clamp and hold onto the clamp.
 If you aim the nozzle away from you and pass the edge of the jig over the very edge of the nozzle, it will burn the feather just fine without setting yourself on fire. It doesn't take much heat to burn off the feather.
 Kyle, that's real funny. I'm gonna call those my brokeback fletchings from now on.

[Jack Skinner]

I like it. Easy as it gets. Will make mine this week-end.

Along with all the others Thanks
Jack

[Ray Hammond]

how have you found the noise level on these  feathers to be?

[marc_groleau]

Ray,
They are totally silent. I've never heard a sound.
It would be nice to see the outcome of any of you who may try this. It would be cool to see will some different shapes.

[The Whittler]

Marc, do you have to burn the feather after you cut it with scissors. Alan

[marc_groleau]

Whittler,
I'm not good with scissors. I have not been able to get as clean of an edge as I get with burning em.
 As for the smell, I do it in my workshop. It's supposed to smell down there. Just kidding. I just open a window in the shop. It doesn't smell so bad to me and it goes away quick. You can do it outside an a nice day.

[Eric Krewson]

When I first started burning feathers I thought the smell was awful, twenty years later I kinda' like the smell because it is a prelude having brand new arrows to shoot.

[marc_groleau]

Glad you said it Eric. I was gonna post that I liked the smell of burnt feathers anyway but figured folks would think I was a little crazy.

[Shakes.602]

Just Think "Chip Clip" for Holding the Sides in Place, That Should do it! Wally World sells some Dandies and Different Sized ones too!

[Gordy]

Hey cool !  Here I thought I'd have to buy something to burn custom feather shapes ! Thanks.

I'm thinking a couple hunks of 12ga aluminum and a big vise grip would work nice for this eh ?
 

[marc_groleau]

Wood works just fine for me. I'm thinking vise grips may crush the feathers. I get by fine by holding the jig in my hands while burning. I'd say go with hardwood and use a spring clamp if you're concerned about burning yourself. You might be more likely to burn yourself on the hot aluminum than the torch.
Good luck with it.

Shakes, what's a Chip Clip?

[MikeW]

Ole fly tyers trick.
I'm a 35+ year fly tyer and have all the wing burners and it never crossed my mind to apply it to fletching.
thx for sharing.

My first thought would be make it like the fly tying tools are made. Fold a thin piece of brass in half, cut out your shape and two sides. Glue a dowle to a strong aligator clip for a clamp and there ya go. I have a bunch Turkey feathers laying around cause I don't have a chopper or burner. I was getting ready to buy a chopper...forget that now.