Feather Grinding

[Bakes168]

I was playing around with some turkey feathers today and couldn't get them just right.
I'm in the process of building a clamp to grind the feathers in, but until then I have to do it by hand.

How do you guys that craft your feathers by hand do it so that you can glue the feather to the shaft?


Is there any sort of technique or tips anyone can offer? Any help would be much appreciated.    
Bakes  

[stringstretcher]

If you have a dremel with a small wheel sanding drum, you can use a straight fletching clamp to hold it and grind down the quill.  Did it this way before I built a feather grinding jig like the one that 3rivers sells.

[Don Stokes]

I tried stripping, one lazy day, but I don't recommend it. Not enough gluing surface, and they didn't hold up well. I'm still shooting them, but I have to keep a bottle of superglue handy for repairs.

[Bakes168]

What do you mean stripping? I've heard of it but I don't know what it is...
Thanks, Bakes

[knobby]

I don't do feathers too often, but when I do, I split them off the quill with a razor knife to begin. Then I put the feather in a fletching clamp and take the quill down on a common grinding wheel. Nothing fancy, but it works for me just fine. Shape them in a chopper or burner and they're good to go. Good luck.