fletch tape ?

[geno]

Hi all, I was wondering how many 3 fletch arrows a roll of fletch tape should do. Also is there a learning curve or is it pretty easy. I am going to order some this am.thanks
G

[loco_cacahuate]

It says on the package that a roll will do 4 1/2 dozen, so you can get at least 3 out of a roll. Took me about 3-4 arrows to get the hang of using it.

[hunt it]

Geno,

I have never counted but am guessing a roll would do four dozen at least. Once you try the tape you'll wonder how you have been doing without it. It's real easy to use, just stick one side along quill and trim off ends off tape. I run the back side of my scissors over the tape prior to pulling off backing (once you have it on feather). This just gives you a good adhesion to quill. Only problem I have ever had with tape is using spray on silicone waterproofing the spray I used turned tape glue to slime and feathers fell off.

[Gatekeeper]

A roll is 720 inches. This product is very easy to use and there is no dry time. Try it you will like it.

[geno]

thanks guys.

Hunt it,
I use that sray on silicone. I am glad you told me that. What do you use for waterproofing now
G

[BobW]

It is excellent stuff, just make sure to clean your arrows (in my case - carbons) with something to get production residue off them.

[hunt it]

A fletch cover or baby bottle liners. The liners are available at any drug store, they work great and just pull them off and shoot. For hunts that have alot of rain involved I use a Steven Catts Mountain Hunter quiver.

[Robhood23]

Could you just spray the feathers with the silicone prior to using the tape?

[Killdeer]

Silicone needs to be reapplied periodically and...how are you going to keep the silicone off of the quill base while you spray the feathers?

Killdeer

[Dave Worden]

I've fletched a "ton" of arrows for my Club's instructional program and have had no problems with the tape.  I do add a drop of glue at each end though.  Kind of a belt and suspenders approach, but I do way too many to want to have to do any of them over.  The tape allows me to do them fast, while the glue insures that they peel off.  These arrows are only 3" fletch and have worked well.  I have noticed a little bit of the tape lifting on my own 5 1/2" feathers, but glue at the ends is keeping them on and I just push the feather back down on the shaft if I notice any gaps.

[B.O.D.]

I love the stuff,not sure I'll go back to glueing after seeing how easy and fast the tape is.
One good thing about it is it will stick to anything.  You can crest, crown and clear-dip with whatever you like and it will work.
BD  

[UKarcher]

If you are having problems with the tape after spraying silicone on them, it may not be the silicone but the propellant that is reacting with it. Try spraying from further back. The propellant is usually disipated at about 10" from the can.

[Kingstaken]

I only use tape and add a touch of glue at each end.
In rain I use a baggy to cover fletch. If fletch gets wets, shake out by rotating arrow and let dry in boiler room to get back to shape.

[Apex Predator]

I posted this as a thread on another site.  Maybe it will help.

I just finished my first dozen arrows with fletching tape, and thought I would share my thoughts. I have been fletching arrows for twenty some odd years and figured it was about time I tried something new. To start out I really felt I needed an extra pair of hands! I first put on some cap wraps from Rivers. I am anal about cleaning anything that I intend to bond, so the Easton Legacies got a good wiping with acetone. The cap wraps went on very easily. I was afraid to use any kind of solvent on the cap wraps, so I trusted their cleanliness from the factory. I avoided touching them with my hands. I completed the whole dozen arrows in about an hour and a half, but was doing other stuff at the same time. I think you can do it in less than an hour. Make sure you have a sharp pair of sissors to cut the tape. This is not optional! After a few you will get the hang of it and make do with just two hands. I found that I had to adjust my jig to a tighter mating with the shaft. Fletchtite tends to have gap filling ability that the tape doesn't have. When I first pulled the clamp off I noticed the feather wasn't bonded the full length every time, and had to press them firmly down with my finger. The feather has a tendency to curve along it's length, so be sure they are laying proper before pressing into a tight bond with your finger. I used fletchtight on the front and rear of the quill to keep it from snagging anything. All in all I was very impressed. I think I may use this stuff from now on. I wonder how many dozen I can get from one roll? I would think three or more.

[Bradley Holley]

I love fletching tape. I also use feather dry powder on the feathers to help with the rain, although in my experience it works best in light rain and not so good in downpours.

[hickstick]

I've been using tape on just about every set of arrows I've ever made except the first ones.  What I generally do is run a small bead of duco down the side of the quill once all three fletches are applied to the shaft.....just for insurance.  I've had fletch shift or roll over in extreme tempuratures  without the glue....  anyone have similar experience?

[Rob DiStefano]

I'd never go back to fletching glue for carbons or alums - I do use glue (and sometimes glue 'n' thread) for woodies 'cause it's just aesthetically satisfying.

[list=1]

• I clean the carbon fletching area with naphtha (lighter fluid - won't hurt cresting or wraps, and removes any finger oil & dirt)
• apply tape to a clamped feather
• seat/press well the clamped feather to the shaft
• pull off the clamp
• run a fingernail down the quill side of the feather to fully seat it
• apply a drop of glue to each end of the feather.

I can do a 4-fletch arra in just a few minutes, tops.  The completed arra can be shot almost immediately but the tape will be fully "cured" in a day for maximum strength.  I'd NEVER go back to gluing feathers on carbons - EVER! - Bohning Fletch Tape is the WAY TO GO! (for me!)  :D

[hawgslayer]

 

When I first mentioned fletch tape all my buddies at the range they laughed. I used it all summer and then into the '07 hunting season. I never had any feathers come off all year long and no feathers cames off during the hunting season. I put 3 does in my freezer and all 3 shots were pass thru's on the does and no feathers came off or even showed any sigh of coming off. Besides that, it's so much easier to remove and replace the feather without all that srcaping off of the old glue. (I do use a drop on each end of the feather when it's complete).

Hope the info helps..... ( NO MORE GLUE FOR ME).

[Labs4me]

I've been using fletch tape exclusively since 1993. To the best of my memory I have never once had a feather come loose or fall off.

Once you get the hang of using it, you'll be able to fletch (and shoot) a half dozen arrows in about a half hour. I agree with the suggestion about putting a dab of fletch-tite glue at both ends of the feather. I suppose if I was going on a "hunt of a lifetime" and it REALLY mattered, I might consider running a bead of glue down one edge of the feather quill as an extra precaution. Really though, I think this is probably overkill. Speaking for myself personally, I feel that as a good guestimate, I waste about 1/8" of tape per feather. To be safe, you can figure on about 1/4" of waste per feather. Use this waste figure, the length of a roll of tape, the number of feathers per arrow (3 or 4 fletch) and the length of your feathers to establish a reasonable estimate as to how many arrows you should be able to fletch from single roll of tape.