Newbie needs to fletch some arrows...

[kayakfisher]

Hello!  I'm Steve, a trad archery newbie and have never shot a bow before.  In March of this year I joined the Trad Gang (on-line) and have enjoyed reading many of your posts and am learning a lot about traditional archery from your tips and experiences.  I also purchased and read several recommended books and a watched few DVDs over and over...learning...but with no equipment of my own.  

Well,...I was notified last Thursday...after 6 months of build lead time time that my new left handed Dakota Pro Hunter Longbow is finished and shipped last Friday. I'll post pics and specs when I receive it.  Rick Welch called me and gave me several suggestions and tips over the phone regarding establishing an effective anchor point and developing proper shooting form, etc.  He also suggested that I try experimenting with setting the position of the fletch on the arrows as a nose anchor point to compliment a thumb or finger anchor on the side of my head.  

I need to set myself up with the stuff necessary to fletch arrows to get started.  Rick also shipped me a dozen GoldTip 3555 shafts he says will be perfect for the bow.   I just need to fletch them.  

Based on all I've learned so far, this is my plan:
1.  Purchase a BITZENBURGER jig to fletch 4" Shield Cut Right Wing feathers.

[kayakfisher]

....Somehow I sent the previous post before I was done, so to continue..

1.  I plan to purchase the fletching jig but what clamp should I get?  Right helical twist?..do I need helical?...and will this come with the jig when I order it?  Any idea who has the best prices?...

2.  Can I purchase 4" Shield Cut, Right Wing feathers cut and ready to attach? ..where?

3.  I plan to use double-sided fletching tape, but want to add a dot of adhesive at each end of the finished fletch...What adhesive would you recommend?

...any more tips..any good videos on-line?  Thanks in advance for your help!

Steve

[straitera]

There's a jo-jan multifletcher for sale in the ads. JMO, if you start making arrows it won't stop at one dozen. Multifletchers fletch quick.

[kayakfisher]

Originally posted by straitera:
There's a jo-jan multifletcher for sale in the ads. JMO, if you start making arrows it won't stop at one dozen. Multifletchers fletch quick.

Thanks for the tip but that multifletcher jig has LW clamps.  I need RW.  ..and I want to do one at a time for now...while I'm learning..  

Thanks again!

[Johnny Reb]

Check out some of the advertiseres on this site, three rivers, kustom king and thers more, pick thru ther stuff and it'll give you some food for thuoght.    As far as fletch'n your own arrows it's a lot of fun, I gotta old JO-JAN jig that does one feather at time, it's slow but works fine.   Get some junk arrows or pieses that are long enuff to pratice on till you get the hang of how your jig does best, that way your not have'n to strip and clean your good ones.   Pay attention to the amount uf glue you  use, (if you go this route) if it gets all over your feathers will be stuck to the jig.  

   Right wing vs left wing,  I'm  right handed and for some reason I shoot a left wing fletching more accurate, dont know why but it works for me,  have heard that it works that way for others also, ut also heard it dont matter so you may want to try and shoot a few arrows of each and try what works for you.  
   
   As far as the tape goes I have no hands on with it I cant honestly say.    The best way is to get out and just try stuff, it'll help more than anything, cant beat hands on experience.

[ductape]

Get a hold of Mike at The Knocking Point. He has everything you need and great service to!

Super glue on the fletch ends works best for me.

Right helical for right wing fethers, left helical for left wing fethers

Fetching tape rocks!!

Good luck and have fun
Jeff