What happens when...

[fish n chicks]

What's going to happen when I use right wing feathers, in my left wing choppers and left wing fletching jigs?

[b.glass]

CHAOS, ABSOLUTE CHAOS!!!

No, really, I don't know.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I don't think the chopper will make that much difference because I've read where some guys prefer to use an opposite chopper for their feathers. But you shouldn't use the wrong clamp for the fletching. Your actually bending the quill backwards when you do that.

I'd suggest finding a RW clamp in the classified ads.

[KellyG]

Fish,
I dont know about the chopper but the left wing jig and the right wing feathers will not comliment each other. The wings are shaped to give the bird lift, We use that and placing at a slight angle to sping and stablize the arrow. So but doing what you are talking about they two forces will fight one antoher, and it will not spin very fast and will not be as acruate.
Now someone with more knowledge tell me if I am wrong.

[Markhw]

I use the same chopper for both left and right wing feathers and have not had a problem. Don't try a left wing feather in a right wing jig. It will glue up but it will work like a flu-flu when you shoot it.

[b.glass]

I gave this more thought on my way home from work this morning and could not see why you would have to use a right wing chopper but the left wing fletching jig would not be good. Couldn't explain why but it looks like someone already has.

[fish n chicks]

So the reason the question came up, was because I KNOW I have a left wing jig. I've used it. I have left wing choppers, cause i've used those too. This whole time I was thinking "Man, I do not have time to find a right wing clamp, let alone the extra $$ to get it" cause I have a BUNCH of right wing feathers i've already cleaned up and dyed ready to fletch.

I get home, thinking about how I can use the feathers, KNOWING now that I can't use my left wing jig (Thanks gang!) and just drawing blanks. Get home, start messing around in the shop, and pull out my tool box oh bow stuff, pull out my fletching jig, and low and behold, a freaking RIGHT WING CLAMP right next to my lef one.

   

I totally forgot that I bought it when I got the jig last year. So I was able to fletch up 5 more arrows yesterday with about 9 more ready to go today.

Thanks again everyone.

[red hill]

Is that like forgetting you have an extra wife stashed somewhere?

[joekeith]

Why you're forgettin' stuff just like us old guys....  

[KellyG]

what did I forget something again?  

[fish n chicks]

You forgot to ask how they turned out. And if you did ask, I'd say ok IMO. I didn't fletch many more, and I did some flu-flu's. I tried string wrapping for the first time. I really like how that went. I will certainly be doing that from now on. I needed some practice arrows for this weekend so I was in a crunch. i used some shafts I had stripped of their blazers a while ago, and intended on fletching with naturals. So I did just that.

   


   


   


   


These are all right wing feathers, cut in left wing choppers. The red's are RIT dyed.

[hardwaymike]

What is the benefit of the string wrapping? Just curious is all. No offense meant. I really don't know. Mike

[Roy from Pa]

Very nice wrap job Fish, your feather wrap's look a lot like I do mine. Don't know how you wrap yours, but I clamp my shafts is a padded vice so the shaft is snug, but I can still turn it with my hand. Then as I hold the spool of nylon thread snug in my right hand and slide it down into the feather splines, getting it where I want it, I just spin the shaft 1/3 turn and do the next feather. If it doesn't look good, I just spin the shaft backwards and position the thread left or right and keep on going.

 

John, The wrap is just a cool primitive look. It's how the folks a long time ago did their arrows before modern man made glue and fletch tape:)

[fish n chicks]

Thanks Roy!! I pretty much do mine like yours, Except I tuck the point end of the arrow under my left armpit (wearing a shirt of course, don't try this on a sweaty humid Michigan night) cause i'm right handed, turn the shaft with my left hand, and hold the spool with my right hand as I spin. I can see, however, how having the extra hand can come in "handy" so i'm going to try your method next time.

[KellyG]

well them are some nice arrows gents, my hats off to you both.

[Roy from Pa]

Fish your welcome my friend. The padded vice makes wrapping feathers a snap. Heck even Kelly could do it:)

[KellyG]

Roy my boy you over estimate what I can do.