Feather burning wire & bending it into shape

[Islandlongbow]

Thanks Ray, I'm also using an old Young Feather burner.
When burning do you rotate the shaft and feather down into the wire or do you rotate it up into the wire?
Jerry

[dfrois]

I know this is an old thread, but I`m posting this just in case someone is researching this subject to make a homemade burner. I have made a feather burner yesterday, and used an old PC power supply, AT type, directly attached to the wire. Depending on the wire thickness and length, you can use the black and red wires (5 volts), or the black and yellow (12 Volts - only use with very thin wire). Nichrome wire has a fixed electrical resistance per unit of length, and this resistance increases with heat, unlike most metals. This is what makes nichrome good for heating elements. If the wire gets too hot it will break. Try to get a low-medium glow, not too bright. If it is too bright, extend the wire beyond the securing post and connect the voltage at the tip. The longer the wire, the higher the resistance, and the wire will be less bright and last longer. It will also be stiffer than if it were burning bright red. My wire barely glows, but cuts feathers fine. Hope this helps someone.

DF

[ddauler]

I agree with Ray I have an old Young burner I bend the wire by hand. Been using the same wire for 20 years! I only make arrows for myself and my son but thats a long time. By the way you will only burn them in the house once if you are married! The only thing worse is to open a bottle of long distance fox lure in the house.

[wixwood]

I use a pair of needle nose plyers that have round jaws (I believe I found them at an electronic supply store) to make the tighter bends without crimping it too much. When I bought my Young Burner 10 +/- years ago I also ordered a few spare ribbons and have yet to use one because another failed.

[SELFBOW19953]

You can also get preshaped ribbons at 3 Rivers.

[bigbadjon]

I've found the best way to make your shape without kinks is this. I draw the feather on a piece of wood about an inch thick and cut it out with a bandsaw. Bend thee wire around that form and then burnish the wire with a screwdriver thil it is smooth. I've found that the wire is so thick that if the concavity is taken out of the ribbon it makes no difference.

[iohkus]

No, a shield will not go bananas on you.
Killdeer

Love your way with words Killie!

 

[Mint Hill Mule]

Sounds like most folks burn after the feather is attached. I was taught to burn the feather before attaching to shaft. I hold the feather (carefully) and bring it up to the ribbon to burn. Works for me, 20 years.

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by Jeff Cooper:
Jerry, I also do as the others using previous feather shapes, dowels, and needlenose pliers, but I use an old arrow to pre-check for clearance to avoid burning...the ribbon will grow when heated, so I'll try to set the gap to about 1/16" inch while the ribbon is cold...trial and error, but it is usually pretty close.

Yep

[Northwoods]

I have had the same problem.  I found the plastic feather profiles available from 3 rivers archery (and possible other vendors) to be a huge help in molding the wire.  Just select the profile you want, lay the wire against the plastic profile and use your fingers and needle nose pliers to bend the wire to the desired shape.