fletching own arrows

[bowmaster12]

i have only fletched a straight fletch before i have a right helical clamp look at pictures it seems like most arrows are fletch with an offset to the left  (front of feather left of back of feather)  if Im using a right helical shouldnt the offset be to the right does it make a difference?

[B M A]

The way you described a left offset is correct.  Looking from the nock end the front of the feather would be to the left, thus a right helical would be to the right.  Shooting right or left helical is a preference.  They fly the same.  Just be sure all right or left when fletching.  In your case with the clamp you have use right wing feathers.   Brock

[breid]

That's actually a good question.  I shoot left wing feathers and have the front of the feather off to the right.  As I have seen the pro shops do.
So my question is, does it really matter?  Do you get better flight characteristics from having them set off to one side or the other?

[Soilarch]

If you've got the wrong feather-helical combination you'll know it.  They are a pain in the butt to get to stick well and it sounds like you're shooting quail out of the bow instead of arrows.

That was my experience anyways.

There used to be a rule-of-thumb as to which offset/helical to use. Nowadays the general consensus is that it's purely a matter of preference.  

EDITED: The left wing/left helical will loosen screw-in heads if we don't have them on good 'n tight, while right wing/helical will try to tighten.

[bowmaster12]

im n ot sure breid the stuff i found on the net is if it is a left helical it should be offset to the left and if it is right helical then off to the right if you hav ea left wing clamp you need to use a left clamp but i dont know if the offset has to be left i have also heard that a right wing spins your arrow clockwise and this stops your tips from loosening because it will tighten the tip on impact but reading soilarch post he says oppisit so Im not sure the more i look the more conflicting info i find

[Soilarch]

Bowmaster, it's so easy for me to get confused on this stuff I had to go and check my arrows.

I have left wing feathers (feather and quill make an "L" shape) with a helical clamp that offsets to the left and they rotate the arrow Counterclockwise...and loosen the tips if I don't watch it.  (All of this if from a nock-end view)


I think a source of some confusion is that if you have HELICAL clamps you must match the correct wing feather to the correct clamp.  BUT if you have a straight clamp you can use either right or left wing feathers...however, you still have to have the correct offset for the feather.

I'll edit the above post to try and avoid confusion.

[bowmaster12]

thanx soilarch i think i have it figure out i have a right winged helical clamp so i must use right wing fletch and offset to the right

[BigAl]

If installing feathers with a straight clamp, and a few degrees offset, you want the bottom of the feather (where the lip is) to catch the air...it's rougher. That is the way it is when birds fly...the bottom of the feather catches the air and the air glides over the top.

[Charlie Lamb]

Bowmaster12... bingo!!