Re-doing wood arrows

[perry f.]

What's the best way to take feathers off wood arrows? I have some that need refletched but don't wanna ruin the finish. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks!

[Stumpkiller]

X-acto #11 blade or a single edge razor blade.

[Knawbone]

If there glued on you can use a debonder or paint stripper,but you really can't avoid damaging the finish. You can,in that case, strip the top portion of the arrow ( from the crest up ) and refinish and re fletch. If the fletching is taped on with fleatching tape, then you can lift the feathers off by sliding a utility blade between the shaft and fletch.A little experience will help. Iv' re fletched many arrows by using fletch tape

[reddogge]

I use a knife but wind up scraping the vestiges of the quill off with same knife and since the glue interacts with the cap paint have to sand too. I just retape where the fletching was and respray my cap, seal and refletch. Even if you don't have a cap on them you will have to cut, scrape and sand some and then reseal.

[rraming]

Best way I have found is find a squirrel up in a tree and take a shot at it, problem solved!

[Orion]

Double post.  Sorry.

[Orion]

Originally posted by Orion:
I use a knife to carefully separate the quill from the shaft, sometimes leaving a little quill on the shaft.  Inevitably, excess glue will also remain.  I take the excess quill and glue off with fine sandpaper on a flat stick, sanding only the excess quill and glue, not the entire shaft.  Depending on how meticulous you are, it will show very little after refletching.  Good luck.

[magnus]

You might as well figure on doing some sanding and recoat with a wipe on poly of dip. I've literally refinished 1000's of wood arrows and unless they're stumpers or ones your just going to beat up quick its about impossible to not affect the finish when using glue for feathers. Tape is another story.