How do you make fletchings from raw feathers?

[Skipmaster1]

I was fortunate enough to take 3 birds and called a bird in for my buddy, so now I have 4 sets of wings! I have no idea what to do next. seems like many guys are sending them out but I'd like to do it myself. Any tips?

[ishiwannabe]

Get a grinding jig from 3R and save yourself some aggrevation. Then it is just a matter of picking out your chopper...

I made a clamp, and used a belt sander with very mixed results. No way could I make them all "alike".

Im pretty sure I saw a build along on it not too long ago...if you have access to back issues of TBM there was an article in it a few months back. I can send ya my copy if you want.

[SOS]

Several ways including stripping the feathers, splitting and grinding with purchased or homemade jigs (a drill press with drum sander almost a must!) and even some companies that will grind one wing for the cost of keeping the feathers off the opposite wing.  Do some searches for "turkey feather grind" and you should see some options.

[hunt it]

Look up David Mitchell - Custom Feathers - he has great info on his site and posted here - do a search. You send Dave all your feathers he will grind them all for you and you tell him you want lefts or rights and he keeps half you don't use - if he keeps half NO CHARGE. He does a fantastic job. I'm getting ready to ship him another batch of 300 or so feathers.

[acolobowhunter]

I cut down the center of the quill with an exacto knife.  Make several passes lightly.  Cut to length, the insert into jig for grinding.  I made my own from a 2"x4" x 10" long.  Split down the center and install a hinge on one end.  Also install 2 thin steel plates in the center of the 2x4 with conter sunk screws.  These will hold the feather.  Install a clasp on the other end.  Grind the base and sides of the feather on a sanding drum mounted in a drill press.  Makes nice feathers. Why give 1/2 your feathers away to get someone else to do them.  Check out 3 Rivers Archery for a photo of the clamp.  I have been doing this for many years now.  After I have the feathers mounted, I spin them through a Young's Feather Burner.  

[john fletch]

I split the quill down the natural groove.  I have an old Jo-Jan style calmp that the round end fell off so I use it as my cutting/sanding clamp.  I use 2 extras heavy duty paper clips to hold the feather tight.  I use the breakaway razor knives to split and trim the quill.  Then I use a hand sanding block with 100 grit paper to sand the quill down to look like a commercial ground fletch.  I tried the drum sander but it was so fast that it is too easy to burn the quill too deep,  I can cut, trim and hand sand a feather in less than 2 minutes.

OBTW, if you have a good size turkey or peacock secondary you can use both sides of the feather.  You will essentially get a R/W and a L/W out of it.  When you fletch and burn them down you will find them plenty stiff enough for flight feathers.

Of course you can get top $$ for those who insist on primary feathers.

I have used turkey, goose, duck and Peacock wing feathers.  Far and away the Peacock is the best flight feather.

I have been waiting for a friend to send me some Swan wing feathers.  He got one (legal hunt in Montana) and I would like to see how good they are and how white.