bitzenburger jig

[huntman]

I bought this jig 6 or 7 yrs. ago with a right helical. Can i just buy a left helical clamp & use the same jig? Thanks

[BobW]

you may also need to buy a LW indexer...

[Slufoot]

As long as you're using push in nocks that you can rotate after fletching there is no problem.

I have one with both right and left wing clamps but only have the right wing indexer, no problem with push in nocks.
I guess you could even use the glue on nocks as long as you indexed and glued after fletching.

[Fletcher]

As Bob said, you may need to buy another indexer.  Look at the knob and see if there is an "R" stamped on the flat.  If so, you'll probably want to buy or trade for a left or standard indexer.  If not stamped, you have the standard indexer and you can fletch either left, right or straight with it.

[waknstak IL]

Back in the day, before push in nocks I would tape them on with blue masking tape and then glue the nocks where I wanted them later.

[huntman]

Well i just looked & it does have a "R" on the knob.

[Fletcher]

Huntman, just for the heck of it, I'll fletch one up with a LW clamp with a R indexer and see how it turns out.  I'd kinda like to know for myself anyway.  I'll put a pic up when I'm done.

[jacobsladder]

let us know how it works out...thanks.

[huntman]

Thanks Fletch, are you going to try 4" or 5" feathers?

[Slufoot]

huntman, I have a Bitzenburger that I bought with a Right wing clamp and right indexer.

Later I bought a Left wing clamp. I use the Left wing clamp with the Right indexer. The only thing I have to do is turn my nock a little after fletching.

[J. Cook]

Slufoot and others are spot on...if you have tuneable nocks, you'll just need to turn them to set after you fletch.  The fletching will go fine with either indexer...I've been doing both RW and LW with a "RW" indexer for many years.

[Tom Greenwald]

Huntsman,

Be carefull of your nock alignment if you are using wood shafts.  It could change your spine.

Greenie

[Fletcher]

Here are the pics.  These are wood arrows.  Yes, you can rotate the nocks, but with wood this is not as easy as with tube shafts.  I moved the arrows in the process of trying to get clear pics, but the pink fletch is with a left indexer and left helical clamp; the red fletch is the right indexer with the left helical clamp.  As you can see, there isn't much difference, but on the string, the right/left combo puts the upper hen close to the 12:00 that Black Widow recommends.

 
 

[huntman]

I'll be using carbon shafts, so i guess the left helical clamp is all i need. Thanks

[Fletcher]

Sounds like you're all set.  You can try the fletching set anywhere you want.

[olddogrib]

Okay, I'll confess.  I've been doing left wing helicals with a right wing indexer since time began.  What's the down side?  Is it worth me buying the leftie?  I can see no negative impact on arrow flight or shelf material wear.

[Fletcher]

The Left/Right indexer thing is kinda interesting.  Back in the good ole days, there was just one indexer that did straight and left and right helical.         Now there are indexers for cock up, cock down and I'm sure some other configs.  And now you know the rest of that story.    

[Fletcher]

Rib, If it isn't broke, you don't need to fix it.

[olddogrib]

Thanks for the explanation, Fletch. looking at the pics, I'm assuming from a practical standpoint
the only difference would be that looking at the back of an arrow on the string with typical cock feather out (RH shooter) the back of that feather might be at exactly at 9:00 o'clock, 8:30, or 9:30 depending on the indexer used.  Don't think I'll loose any sleep over this one.  I'm always amazed at the slow-mo video of archers paradox and how much the tail end of the arrow clears everything by!  My sealskin rest has been on for years and still looks new.  The only reason I asked is that I will eventually see a little wear on the tips of the "5 o'clock" fletch after a cajillion shots. If the LH indexer would help that, I might spring for one.