Author Topic: I need to learn to fletch arrows. Suggestions? (Read 308 times)

Rooselk · « **on:** January 19, 2011, 08:03:00 PM »

Specifically, I want to learn to fletch Easton Legacy arrows for my recurve. I figure by using arrow wraps and fletching my own arrows I will get more life out them when the fletching needs to be replaced. Buying a Bitzenburger fletching tool seems to be a given. But are there any good instructiomal books or DVD's available that will show me how to do this?

Your suggestions and advice is appreciated.

ishoot4thrills · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:08:00 PM »

It's not hard at all. I suggest doing a Google search or maybe even a search on Youtube would yield enough information to have you fletching arrows in no time.

lpcjon2 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:10:00 PM »

if you go to 3 rivers website(click the picture above) I think they have a instruction video on the website you can watch.Try this link.Tim
http://www.3riversarchery.com/3RCommercials.asp#4

mcgroundstalker · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:18:00 PM »

If you use good feathers over wraps they will last a long, long time.... Good Luck To You!

... mike ...

KHALVERSON · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:23:00 PM »

really its very simple
lay the wrap on a computer mouse pad sticky side up
position you arrow centered for width on the wrap
press down and slowly roll the arrow left to right or vise versa until your wrap is fully on
place your nocked arrow in jig
place the feather in the clamp
position how you want it
apply fletch tite or fletching tape
stick clamp with feather in it to the jig making sure the quill is contacting the arrow shaft
allow a few minutes for glue to dry
a few seconds if using tape
index jig to the left to next position
an repeat process
when all 3 or 4 fletches are applied add a drop of glue front and rear on each quill
and voilo you have a wrapped fletched arrow
have fun
arrow building is a great way to break the winter doldrums
kevin

Wannabe1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:29:00 PM »

Roos, I also used the Browning fletcher. It was not as expensive as a Bitzenburger(SP?) and done a really great job. I fletched the below arrows with it just by using the directions from the manufacturer.

paoloi · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:00:00 PM »

I like the Arizona EZ Fletch, you kill three birds with one stone, so it saves on time. I shoot carbons and with a light scuff (220 grit), followed by an acetone cleaning, I glue them directly to the shaft. They seem to hold up well without the wraps. I also agree with ithrills, just find something on the web and save your money, it's real easy. Good luck!

Steve Chappell · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:05:00 PM »

As has been posted it is not as hard as it seems. Just need to get in and do it. I bought a instructional tape but that was before youtube. Lots of different ways to make them so don’t be afraid to experiment. For putting on fletching I have found Duco works great on wood dipped in whatever you like and is dirt cheap at Walmart. For carbon and Aluminum I now use wraps and superglue gel with great results. I use Bitz jigs, they can be adjusted to meet all the arrows I make. Have fun!

greg fields · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:09:00 PM »

buy the fletching jig and try.. I'd suggest using fletching tape at first to practice on bare shafts. Easy to remove and redo if something is not correct in your process. Its not hard, just takes a bit of time and practice to get it right.

Wannabe1 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:12:00 PM »

Greg, that fletching tape wouldn't work worth a darn for me. I had as much fun with it as a toothless hound gnawing on a bone! It does work for some though and I hear it's pretty quick to do.

Buckwheaties · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:25:00 PM »

Yes get the Bitz, in the long run you'll save $$. I have used it all and like Saunders MVP (3R) the best for fletching either on wraps or wood finish. It takes about 8 minutes to dry per feather but that doesn't bother me. I like to cut the feathers with sharp scissors to a point and then fletch, gets rid of the scraggly point on alot of feathers. It takes a little practice to get the Bitz jig set up to lay the feather down perfect but You'll get it after a while.. A drop of glue front and back and walla.. you're done.. I love fletching shafts..

Rob DiStefano · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:45:00 PM »

when i plan on building an arrow, i consider what bow it's for and get an idea what the total arrow weight needs to be. then pick out all the components and check the weights.

fyi, be aware that arrow caps will add tail weight, make the arrow stiffer and decrease foc. not that there's anything wrong with any of that, just putting it out to consider.

consider using fletch tape and no, you don't need a bitz, no one *needs* a bitz! most any polycarb fletcher will do a yeoman job. guaranteed.

Rooselk · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:22:00 PM »

Wannabe1, those are some nice arrows. Thanks for posting them.

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions. I knew I could count on you folks to steer me in the right direction.

Wannabe1 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:33:00 PM »

Rob, thanks for chiming in. I have a tendency to over look the obvious. And like you, I agree, "no one needs a bitz".

Roos, I am getting the materials together to do 1 doz. Surewoods for my Tembo. They are going to be a plain jane arrow built for shooting and hunting. If you like, I can do sort of a build along and send to you.

I also did these Beman MFX Classics so, as you can see, those fletchers will even do the skinny carbons.

Rooselk · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2011, 12:34:00 AM »

That would be outstanding. Thanks. Look forward to seeing the build-a-long.

Bjorn · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2011, 12:57:00 AM »

I suggest you think twice about fletching your own............it is highly addicting.............and you will wind up with way more arrows than you ever dreamed of. I have 5 gal buckets full of arrows that have not seen the light of day for years. Still looking for a twelve step program.

slivrslingr · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2011, 06:39:00 AM »

As the old Nike add says, "Just do it!" You'll make a few mistakes at the beginning, but after a few you'll get the hang of it.

Matt Green · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2011, 08:15:00 AM »

No one has mentioned whether you get a helical or straight or clamp or rt or left. Personal preference and either is OK but will be a question when you get your bitz (or other). you can search the forum about pos/neg for rt/left and lots of opinions on helical vs. straight. Probably will evenuatlly want both straight and helical for 'experimenting'. Good luck - as others have stated 'tis fun
mgreen

Rob DiStefano · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2011, 09:40:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Matt Green:
No one has mentioned whether you get a helical or straight or clamp or rt or left. Personal preference and either is OK but will be a question when you get your bitz (or other). you can search the forum about pos/neg for rt/left and lots of opinions on helical vs. straight. Probably will evenuatlly want both straight and helical for 'experimenting'. Good luck - as others have stated 'tis fun
mgreen

personal preference. good to try both straight and helical.

the feather wing doesn't matter one bit, but helical clamps need to match.

for carbons, it'll always be straight clamps with a slight offset,

for woods, the straight clamp for 4 fletch and a good helical for 3 fletch.

to each their own, it's all good.


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Author Topic: I need to learn to fletch arrows. Suggestions? (Read 308 times)

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