Best glue for fletching carbon arrows?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Zipperhead:
I've never tried it, but heard that the fletch tape can move around on really hot days.  Any truth to that?

properly applied fletch tape will be a bear to get off, even in 100 degree heat.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by ryped:
Rob,

I've tried all of that but if I can get a fingernail under the edge of the quill I can pull off the fletch off up to the ends where I have glued.

I used the exact system you described with the exception of using Naptha, I used both denatured alcohol or acetone. The only SOLIDLY attached parts of the feather are where I dropped glue on the ends.  I wish it worked better because it is handy.

I guess what I would recommend is to have both on a hunt just in case one system or the other fails.  I have numerous fletches laying around the yard and in the snow from tape failure.

before putting on the fletch tape, clamp up yer feather, put an arrow in yer jig, and fit the clamped feather to the jig.  look very closely at how the feather seats on the shaft, particularly if the clamp is helical.  any part of the feather base that doesn't sit dead flush will not adhere to the shaft.  

i use a straight fletch clamp with slight offset.  my arrows bareshaft quite nicely and i see no need for helical feathers that only add flying drag.

all the glues mentioned so far are 'gap filling' and those will greatly help if your feather base isn't down dead flush to the shaft.

fletch tape has a cure period.  yes, you can fletch up an arrow during the car ride to a shoot and use it immediately, but the real cure takes overnight at a decent air temp and humidity level.

what i also like about fletch tape is that as tough as it is to get off the shaft, you won't need a sharp edge to scrape it off, just a good stiff credit card will do nicely.  :D  

i hate having to blade scrape off super glue, and risk shaft damage.     :mad:

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Zipperhead:
Does the fletch tape work better with cap wraps or a bare shaft?

doesn't matter at all as long as your fletch tape process is a good one.

i use fletch tape with bare and cap wrapped carbons, and with polyu finished woodies.  works killer for all.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Zbone:
Nobody yet answered my question - did Bohning discontinue making old school "Fletch Tite"?

Thanx

afaik, no.  but if so, who cares - there's always fletch tite platinum and good ol' duco.

[metsastaja]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
 

Originally posted by Zipperhead:
I've never tried it, but heard that the fletch tape can move around on really hot days.  Any truth to that?

properly applied fletch tape will be a bear to get off, even in 100 degree heat. [/b]

Being from Florida internal car temps can get very high even just stopping to pick up supplies 140 degrees. Deer season is often in the 90's. I use tape and have never had a problem.

[bridog]

I agree with all the other fletch tape fans...  I have used it on carbon, aluminum and wood with great success.  Only issue I've had was with putting too much helical on a shaft - basically goin outside the correct limits for my jig.  But it still held up for quite awhile.  I always use the platinum glue on front, back and a strip in the middle to my feathers only come off when I want them too.  I do like to use the wraps on carbon - just for ease of future stripping.

Bridog

[Zipperhead]

This may seem like a silly question, but I'm trying to find the best way to do this.  When I use the fletch tape should I leave the feather in the fletching jig for a while to help it stick,  or can I remove it right away?

[Shakes.602]

Saunders NPV is THE Best Fletching Glue for Any Arrow Or Fletching on the PLANET! JMHO.