Fletching clamps

[xtrema312]

I just fletched up some new arrows with my new Bohning jig.  It doesn't seem to put as much helical on as the arrows I have had fletched at the local archery shop. Some I did are more straight between ends with some curve in the middle.  The last couple I did after playing a lot with the adjustments have more offset, but not near what the shop fletched arrows have.  The clamp is a left wing and it is in an angle, but the actual feather line of the clamp is straight.  I tried everything and I can only go so much helical before I just can't get feather to shaft contact to glue it.  I am wondering do different jugs have more helical built it than others like a clamp jaw edge at the feather that is curved to go around the shaft more?

[Butch Speer]

"but the actual feather line of the clamp is straight" Not being a smart aleck but, are you sure you have a helical clamp?

[xtrema312]

It says LH on the clamp and the packaging.  It has a twist to the overall clamp, but the line of the feater in the clamp is straight.

Now I am wondering if I am running the thing back wards.  I was told LW is supposed to spin left.  The feather then should move to the left on the shaft as it goes from the nock down the arrow.  It seems to me that it should run from left to right down the shaft and spin to the right from looking at how it would work best in the jig.

[Possum2]

No I had the same problem it hard to get the true helical Got rid of mine and bought a arizona ez fletch in a left helical. I bet the archery shop is using bitzenbirger.

[xtrema312]

I am looking at it again trying to fit feathers and I think I am using it correctly.  It looks like it would work better running from left to right on the feather from the back of the shaft running to the point, but I don't actually get feather contact on the shaft that way.  I just can't get as much helical on it.  It is more of an offset.  However, the feather does have a lot of curl to it so should spin ok.  It just looks a lot different than my shop fletched feathers.

[fixer]

The only helical clamps I have used is the Bitzenburger in right helical,I'v used straight clamps with offset. Any of the archery shops that I have been around used the Bitzenburger, that's why I started with them.

[xtrema312]

The more I look at it I think the last 1/2" of the point of the feather kind of curls in and that makes it look like less helical.  Maybe I had too much so when I let the clamp off it curled in then contacted the shaft and stuck.  I am using tape so that could happen.

[Shakes.602]

Said it Before, and I Will Say it Again... "You Cant Go Wrong With A Bitzenberger Fletcher." Yes, they arent Cheap, but Treat it right, and You will never have to Buy Another!! Unless You get Multiples!!

[lpcjon2]

I take the feather before I even try to fletch,and place it in the clamp and take 220 grit sand paper and give it 3 light strokes and then I leave it in the clamp for 20-30 minutes.This will help release the memory that keeps the tip curled.I have a L&R&S helical clamps and you can put them in the straight also to get the memory out. and it then makes it easier for me to fletch.IMHO  

[wapiti]

Different jigs have different amounts of helical. I have Bitz they are great except the amount of adjustment is not as much as it could be and the index of the cock feather is limited. I also have Grayling but set them up for RW offset only. Again the amount you can adjust for helical is not as much as it should be. I use the BPE pro for most arrow making. Adjustments are great for helical , the magnets are almost as strong as the Bitz(by far Bitz's best feature) and the jig can be set for indexing the cock feather very quickly. I never eally cared for the Jo-Jan multi fletcher and sold it. When fletches with stubborn 'set' it would often allow the fletch to rise n the center causing glue line failure. NOT acceptable when selling arrows! The setup was fast and easy and accurate but it needs a way to hold down those stubborn fletches or you have to resort to fletch tape or super glue.

With that said one CAN, with work, grind a helical clamp so that is has a curvature in the center extending gradually towards the end to achieve a lot more helical. It must fit the shaft perfectly! I have never found it necessary. Just use a slightly higher profile fletch and you get the same results which is to create for more air drag for quicker flight stability.

Hope this helps answer some questions.

[xtrema312]

I am not sure exactly why I more of a cup shape.  After looking more at the ones I did I think maybe it is due to trying to get too much helical and getting one end or maybe both off the shaft a hair so when I let the clamp off the end curled in a little to make contact and stuck.  I will have to burn up a few feathers and some tape I guess to get it figured out.

[Possum2]

I was thinking about this for a while. The longer the fletch the less of helical so if your using a 5.5 instead of 5" lw it will be more straight at the end and the end tries to curl the other direction.

I maybe wrong but that is my experience with the bohning fletchers.

[xtrema312]

I would say that was correct.  I am using 4" so not as big a problem.  They shoot very well with field points so I guess I just wear them out and try again.  I will have to see what the guy's at the shop use.