Question for Wood Arrow Builders

[spike buck]

Scratching my head.... I am trying to figure out how to set my Bitz clamp for 4 fletch 90x90 and still have the nock line up with the grain. When I fletch the wood arrow my fletchings are at 12, 3, 6, & 9 o'clock when the arrow is on the string. I like my feathers to be like X not + when looking down the arrow when it's on the string. Also, I have snap-on nocks and they're too big for the indexer. Any suggestions?

[Orion]

If you want your feathers to look like an X and not a plus sign need to set the jig for 75x105, not 90-90.  There's an adjustment for that in the nob that holds the nock.  

Shouldn't be any problem having the nock line up with the grain of the arrow. The nock goes on first, then it's put in the jig.  Just line up the nock correctly when you glue it on

By too big, do you mean the throat of the nock, resulting in a little play when it's in the nock receiver, or that the outside of the nock is too big to fit into the receiver.  I've never found the latter to be the case with any nock.  A little "play" in the nock on the receiver is normal.  Just push the arrow down on the  nock receiver to reseat it after each partial rotation

You could friction fit a a nock with a smaller throat on the shaft to do the fletching, then replace it with your larger nocks.  However, there's a good chance the friction fit nock could slip while you're fletching, and you might not get all of the replacement nocks on consistently.  I'd opt for nocks with smaller throats.  They're inexpensive. But, as I've said, a little play is normal. Probably not something you need to worry about.

[snag]

I fletch with an X for 4 fletch and the nock indicator, on Classics and Mercurys, pointing out with the 90-90 setting. I believe I start with the flat spot on the index nob up facing me or slightly turned to the left on a righthand jig.....I'd have to check to make sure...I just do it! haha  The larger Snap-On nocks do not seat as well as other nocks do. But like Orion said you just need to gently push them down into the receiver.

[Grey Taylor]

I have a Bitzenburger that I don't use because I haven't taken the time to drill out the nock receiver housing so the Bohning Classic nocks I use will fit inside. If that's the same issue you're having it doesn't seem to be unusual, although it's rarely mentioned.
Seems rather silly to me to make it so it won't fit one of the most popular nocks without modification.  

Guy

[Mike Vines]

I haven't tried this, but I don't see why it won't work.  When installing the nock before fletching, do not glue it.  Align the nock where you want the feathers to be then just use a friction fit.  When you are all done fletching, remove the nock and apply your duco like you would normally do and install the nock correctly.   In practicality, it sounds correct, but only doing the job will tell.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[Orion]

Grey, I use Bohning Classics in my Bitz.  They fit all the way into the nock receiver, but the housing does leave a little notch in the raised  indicator on the plastic nock.  I consider it just another tactile reference.  Doesn't prevent one from using that kind of nock in the jig.  BTW, as you know, the Bitz jig has been around a lot longer than the Bohning classic nock.  That's probably why it's a little small for the Classics.

[trubltrubl]

I guess my question would be why use 4 fletch anyways when 3 fletch is proven as good anyways? Maybe for aesthetics but it will not be any better than 3 fletch for steering ...I know that is not the answer to your question..but to ponder if only,  for functionality.

[Grey Taylor]

Actually, I sit corrected.
I just tried a Bohning Classic in my Bitz and it fits in fine. Not sure what happened when I thought it didn't fit. As I mentioned, I don't use this jig.
Trubltrubl, four fletch is popular for a number of reasons. I won't go into them here because there have been a couple dozen threads discussing the difference between three and four fletch that may be found with the search function. Suffice to say that different folks like different numbers of feathers on their arrows. Personally, I like three fletch but I make a lot of arrows with four fletch.

Guy

[spike buck]

Thanks to those who have posted. I will get to tinkering and report back.