Bitz for dummies

[tomh]

I recently got a new Bitzenberger jig, and am having a devil of a time trying to get it adjusted so that the feather is flat on the shaft. When it is correctly adjusted (as far as I can tell, anyway) there is still daylight to be seen between the feather and shaft at about 1/3 back from the front of the feather.

If I adjust the jig to eliminate that daylight, the feather is not square to the shaft at all.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

[Orion]

First, make sure you're using the right feather in the jig, i.e., right wing feather in a right wing jig, and vice versa.  Also, make sure that the nock receiver is for the wing clamp you have, i.e., right wing receiver for a right wing clamp and vice versa.  

There are two adjustment screws on the jig.  Loosen them, put a shaft in the jig and then lay the clamp on the arrow.  Jockey it around, incorporating as much helical as you desire, until it lays flush along the shaft.  Then, tighten the adjustment screws and have at it.  

If you're trying to fletch a very small diameter shaft, like some carbons, you may not be able to use much helical.  In fact, the curvature of the clamp may not match that of the small shaft diameter.  Don't know.  I don't fletch shafts that small, but it is a possibility.  Good luck.

[tomh]

I am trying to fletch some 1916s, everything looks perfect except for a less than 1" section that wont lay down flush. I must be missing something basic, but according to what you said and the instructions it should be right. Could it be a feather issue?

[luv2bowhunt]

What I do is put the feather in the clamp and then run my finger nail along the feather and clamp so that it is not tight along the clamp. Then when you put pressure on it when gluing it allows the feather to then lay flat... I use fletching tape though so that it sticks immediately. Does all that make sense???  :D

Kevin.

[Bowferd]

Not a feather issue. I've been toying with the same problem for quite some time. In the first place the instructions aren't worth the crap they are printed on, and secondly we are convinced that we must get as much helical as possible in order to get the arrow to "fly right", and thidly the best fletching jig on the market isn't even machined good enough to lay flat on the length of the shaft no matter how well adjusted. So start experimenting and good luck!

[portugeejn]

Yea, what Kevin says.  I had the same problem until I started leaving 1/16"-1/8" of feather exposed between the edge of the clamp and the feather shaft.    That is the only way I can get mine to lay flat.

I too use fletching tape, and it makes a difference to run your fingernail or a small screw driver down the edge of the shaft to "seat" everything.

Ron

[Labs4me]

Luv2hunt and Portugeejn are right on the money.

The smaller the diameter of the shaft, the more tweaking you have to do to get the feather to make contact along its full length. And their suggestion is a good one! And yes, a smaller diameter shaft will somewhat limit the amount of helical you can apply to the feather- especially when using long feathers. For what it’s worth, IMHO, fletch tape seems to work better when working with small diameter shafts due to its ability to adhere instantly. But honestly, it's mostly just finding a "system" that works for you. A 'lil tweaking here; a 'lil tweaking there and you're good to go.

Because we tend to use our Bitzs’ so infrequently, the challenge is trying to remember your “system” from fletching session to fletching session.

[BobW]

I read back a bit ago where someone suggested putting some string wax on the clamps to better grip the feathers.  If you don't set the feather as deep into the clamp, you can "force" better contact.  Right now I have teflon tape on my clamps from when I used glue.  The feather slides around quite a bit.  The wax might help.  For now I just run a small screwdriver along the quil to lock it down.

Labs nailed it, until I get in a zone, it is always just a bunch of fumbling around....

[ChuckC]

Make sure you do not put the feather totally "bottomed out" in the clamp.  When you place the clamp into the jig, press downward to seat the clamp all the way down.  I like tape cause I can press down and seat it all the way across the feather.    When I remove the clamp from the feather, I take my fingernail and run it along the base of each feather in order to make sure it is fully secure.  When all feathers are in place I put a dab of glue in front and back of each feather.  

If you use glue, you need to experiment with the amount of glue it takes to fill the void and not overfill, which results in messy icky looking (scientific term) glue joints.
ChuckC

[Pat B.]

The fix I used is more drastic.. I simply took a file to the clamp.. File it where it's touching the shaft until you get the whole edge of the clamp touching.. Usually doesn't take a whole lot. Pulling the quill off the edge of the clamp with a fingernail is always done too..
               Good luck

[tomh]

Thanks guys for the suggestions, I will try them out. Of course my first thought when i saw the problem was like Pat B.'s, I was going to start grinding. But I figured I would ask here as  i was sure I was not the first one to experience this problem.