Mr. Fletcher-your thoughts and advice are needed.

[VAFarmer]

Folks-

Just fletched up some arrows Monday night with some new vanes-yeah I know that is compound, but Im getting to the trad part-and BTW my supermag 48 should be on the way today(thanks Stickpig).

Anyway-I know some of you guys also shoot compound.  

what are you guys fletching with-vanewise and glue wise?  How about your feathers? I am asking for brand/height/lenght/ of feather.  Weight is really unimportant-they are all too light to really make a difference in energy.

I will be shooting carbon arrows with around a 500 spine out of a 40-45 lb draw @ 28, off the shelf.

  I like to think less is more sometimes.  I am thinking about switching from vanes to feathers with the compound-so that I can just fletch/buy one type.

This last batch of vanes peeled off, maybe cause I went to light on the adhesive-but even the ones that are anchored well are noisy.

Anyway, what are you guys that are in the same stat category fletching with-featherwise?

Farmer

[Paul Mattson]

I fletch with 3, 4 and 5" LW.  I use standard sheild cut and have several custom cuts.  For carbon and aluminum Bohning Platinum is the best glue to use.

[Sumpfmann]

When using vanes, I use Arizona Archery Elite Fastfletch. Comes with its own glue. Great on aluminum and carbon.

[VAFarmer]

Why does LW seem to be more popular than RW?

If I shoot right handed, do I have to fletch/shoot LW?   Or do LW give better results being shot right handed?

Sorry so many q's,

Farmer

[xtrema312]

I have always loved how fixed blade BH's fly with helical feathers regardless of the bow type.  I have one or two arrows with 4" vanes for the compound for heavy rain days, but I use them every reluctantly.  I shot helical 3-4" feathers on my trad bows and compound.  I have played with 5" and 4" feathers, and 4" works fine for me all around.  I am just getting ready to refletch the last of my 5” fletched trad bow arrows.

[vtmtnman]

I use shoot both,and while I have different cuts for each(4" para for the wheels and 5.5" nanners for the stick)were I to choose one for both I'd be the 4" paras all day long.Quietest of the cuts and readily availible.

Shoot whichever wing you want.I started using RW long ago and that's what I stuck with.They say right handed archers should use LW feathers but I think it applies to selfbow shooters using their hand as the shelf.

I prefer using CA glue from the hobby store.More for cheaper and has worked great for my needs on carbon and aluminums.

[jcar315]

One of the more important parts in the process of fletching up arrows & particularly with carbon is cleaning the shafts really well before fletching. If you dont clean them the vanes can pull off rather easily. You would be amazed how dirty the rag is after wiping off some "new" carbon shafts before fletching.

Good success with Bohning Platnium and CA Super Glue too!

[Fletcher]

I don't know carbons from corn, having only made and shot wood arrows for MANY years, but surface prep is the first step in any bonding operation.  Clean the shafts and vanes well before fletching them.