How to Membrane Splice precut feathers

[steadman]

Due to unfortunate circumstances and the love to see my arrows, I had to improvise splicing my feathers. You can come apon feathers at a real good deal on the classifieds.

So what you are going to need is some precut feathers of your liking, a sharp edge (I use an exacto, but a knife works too), some glue (I use super glue, but have also heard Duco works, I've also used fletch tape), some full length feathers (your back splice), and some scissors.

 

To start measure the desired splice on your precut feather. Then with your sharp straight edge, cut about 1/2 to 3/4 inch back towards the end of the feather, but NOT all the way to the back!

 

It should look like this

 

Next, pinch the end that wasn't cut off with one hand and with the other hold the feather toward the start of the cut. Slowly pull the quills up and forward (toward the front of the feather). With practice it should peel the membrane off the pre cut feather up towards the front of the cut.

 

[steadman]

Once you peel it to the cut, put it down and hold the quill with one finger, and put your shapr edge next to the full quill of the precut. Slowly pull up on the peice you've peeled and the sharp edge should cut the membrane off at the quill.

I've sometimes had it stop a little short. For this I use my sharp edge and scrape from the quill back until the membrane is removed.

It should look like this

 

Next to remove the end where you pinched, you put the feather on your cutting area, like you were going to glue it, then use your straight edge perpendicular to the feather and scrape the excess off.

 

It will leave little tag ends on the edge of the quill, just turn the feather a bit and scrape them off as well.

 

 

[steadman]

I do a bunch of them to this stage. Then get your full length. Peel the feather from the membrane by pinching from the back of the feather and seperating like you did with the precut.

 

This takes some practice and some feathers peel better than others. But if they don't all is not lost. Put the feather in a clamp and use a peice of sand paper to sand the soft white part of the quill off.

 

Once this is done, measure the desired length, (should be the same as the cut you made on the pre cut feather) and cut with your sharp edge. Try to get the cut a s square as possible, it will make a better fit.

 

[steadman]

I then dry fit the small piece to see how it lines up. I get 4 or 5 peices off of each feather that fit well. They are not perfect, but I can't tell when I shoot them. If they don't line up though I don't use them or they make a whoosh noise when being shot.

 

I then use super glue on the quill and put the peice on while lining it up. The quill will "lock" together if the fit is good. A word of caution, don't glue your fingers to the feather or together.  

After sitting for a few minutes it should look like this

 

I then get the scissors and free hand cut the back. I know this is not perfect, but I don't have to use a chopper or burner, and nobody can tell unless you look real close.

 

[steadman]

Here is a pic of the finished product. Notice also I went from a sheil cut to parabolic. Parabolics are just easier to cut, but I have done shields as well.

 

So there is a cheaper way to splice feathers, at least for me  

 

[lpcjon2]

Very nice job Ryan!I havnt tried with a pre cut one yet.Thanks

[DannyBows]

Excellent! Thanks, I have been wondering about something like this. I've got a bunch of precuts, now I'll only have to get one color full length.

[Guru]

Nice buddy!

[maineac]

Nice,  I just can't seem to get the separation down.  I'll try it your way.  I usually end up sanding both halves.  My arrows look a lot like yours, but natural turkeys for the main piece. Love how the little piece of chartruse makes the arrow flight so visible.  I use my little chopper after splicing to make them into shields again.  Actually I've started slicing before I chop.

[wildgame]

Never tried this but I think I might now that Ive seen this!! Thanks for showing!

[black velvet]

Thanks for the info, will try your system on my next set.

[Bldtrailer]

[Mike Vines]

Very nice Ryan.  I saw yours a couple weeks ago and liked the brown and white combo so much I ordered a bunch of each, and will pick them up in Kzoo this weekend.

[WESTBROOK]

Thanks for the "show me" Ryan, I've always wondered how it was done.


Eric

[flippnsticks]

[steadman]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna have to get me some natural turkey feathers to try this on  

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by steadman:
Thanks guys. I'm gonna have to get me some natural turkey feathers to try this on        

You are going to go thru A LOT of them (natural feathers) trying to find some that have the same degree of feathers.  What I mean is that the Natural turkey feathers stand up more than the store bought ones.  The store bought feathers lay back more.  Personally I think it has to do with stress level...Naturals are always on edge, and the farm ones are layed back/relaxed.  I had to go thru a few dozen naturals to get 4 that had the same layed back feathers as the store bought ones, that way they they would flow together at the splice.  It can be done, but check before you separate the membrane.

[steadman]

Thanks Mike, will do  

[wooddamon1]

Cool how-to. I gotta try this soon!

[Over&Under]

Well done tutorial Ryan....I hope to be aiming for those at some upcoming shoots!!