Glue or Tape

[Pepper]

Like most on here who do their own arrows, I have used most types of adhesives available for that purpose.
I have found, for me at least, that tape is faster, cleaner and adheres just as good, and adheres better on some crestings  than glue.
Good Luck

[Bowwild]

I learned about the tape here--last year.  I had always used glue with very few complaints or issues.  However, I really like the tape and once I got the hang of it found it quick enough and very durable, at least in controlled, practice conditions. I haven't hunted with any arrows that were taped.

One problem I have with glue is that too often it seems as if my glue has dried out a bit in the case of fletch tight and not useable when I need it.  The ultra-fast dry glues seem to invariably leak in storage and when I need them the dispensing tops are plugged up or worse. The tape is always ready to go.

I'm curious when I make up some flu-flus how the tape will do when wrapping full-length feathers around the shaft. I'm hoping the torque isn't difficult to deal with.  I suspect the tape will work even better than glue for these style of flu-flu feather attachment?

[30coupe]

I just don't have the patience for glue. The tape works way faster, and as Rob and others have pointed out, the feathers wear out before the tape lets go as long as your shaft was clean when you applied it.

I wipe down the shaft with denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol). You can by denatured alcohol at the big box building suppliers in quart cans. I've had my last quart for about two years and have at least half of it left.

After you wipe down the shaft it is critical that you DON'T TOUCH IT WITH YOUR FINGERS! The oil from your skin is what keeps the feathers from sticking. NOTE: this is true with glue as well.

For a while I was wiping down the quill too, but I've found that to be unnecessary.

I do add a drop of Duco or Fletchtite to the ends, depending on the shaft material. I'm not sure it is necessary to lock the feathers down, but I like overkill. The drop on the front of the feather also keeps the sometimes sharp ended quills from slicing your finger if you crowd the shelf like me. I don't quite shoot off my knuckle, but darn close.

[kat]

Tape for me. Just a drop of glue on each end of the feather.

[Swamp Yankee]

I don't have the patience for tape!  I'll use tape if I'm in a rush for some reason, but otherwise it's glue.

[bolo7735]

Thanks everyone for their input. Tape it is.

[wooddamon1]

You won't regret that decision!

[stujay]

bohning fletch tape. I've used glue but since I tried the tape I won't go back.

[jcar315]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
bohning fletch tape! - for all shaft materials from woodies to carbon.  i'll never go back to any form of direct glue again, and that's what i started with 56 years ago ...

here's the fletch end of a carbon arrow that was feather 4-fletched with tape.  it had been lost in the south carolina woods for three years, after killing a hog.  notice how the feather quills are still firmly affixed to the shaft ...

       

click the pic below for a tape fletching video ...

       

Can't agree more with Rob. Be sure to get Bohning tape and not some of the "others" that are out there.

Cool arrow Rob!

[JamesKerr]

Fletch tite platinum for any and all uses.

[TAWL]

I like the fletching tape too, BUT, I found that the fingernail glue with the brush in the cap works great!!! Stop laughing, this is the greatest invention ever. No mess what so ever and I haven't lost any feathers yet. It's called fing'rs brush on nail glue. Don't knock it til you try it...Seriously          

[MikeW]

Originally posted by TAWL:
I like the fletching tape too, BUT, I found that the fingernail glue with the brush in the cap works great!!! Stop laughing, this is the greatest invention ever. No mess what so ever and I haven't lost any feathers yet. It's called fing'rs brush on nail glue. Don't knock it til you try it...Seriously                  

Interesting, this is the glue for fake nails?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by MikeW:
 

Originally posted by TAWL:
I like the fletching tape too, BUT, I found that the fingernail glue with the brush in the cap works great!!! Stop laughing, this is the greatest invention ever. No mess what so ever and I haven't lost any feathers yet. It's called fing'rs brush on nail glue. Don't knock it til you try it...Seriously                      

Interesting, this is the glue for fake nails? [/b]

it's a viscous version of cya (cyanoacrylate).  and near impossible to remove for refletching.

[Friend]

No expert here however I do shoot ~400 arrows per week year around except during turkey season.

Tape works great!

Have no need to pursue anything else. My feathers are always worn out before any bond issues. Have never experienced a bond issue.

[eddings220]

I have been using tape for over a year now on all my arrows. Have not had any issues with with fletching coming off.  It is alot easier and less of a mess.

[Lone Ranger]

I just tried tape for the first time, it has seemed super so far! I did up a half dozen 4 fletch in the same time as doing a single 3 fletch using glue.

so far so good.


L.R.

[bluej]

I did not know they made tape I will try it over the glue which is not working for me in damp weather.

[stick-um]

Tape for me. Its fast and easy to put a feather back on in the field.

[MikeW]

Originally posted by stick-um:
Tape for me. Its fast and easy to put a feather back on in the field.

Not to be a smart ass but if what you doing/using works why would you have put a feather back on in the field? And you carry fletch tape with you?

I've never had a feather come off in the field that I needed to fix on the spot(tape or glue)and am 53 and been doing this since I was 13.