Burning feathers

[kennym]

So I bought a used burner, no instructions.

Also bought a couple new ribbons from 3R for it.

Got any helpful tips before I stink up the shop?

All help appreciated !!

First question, do ya just cut feathers to length and put em on the arra , and start burning shape?

[moebow]

3 rivers has some plastic templates to form shapes if you are so inclined but it does take some playing around to get a shape you like.  Set the ribbons once shaped slightly shorter than what you want for a final cut because they will expand as they heat up. Sneak up on final settings. DO NOT BURN indoors!!  I take mine outside and do it there.

Yes, I put on the "cut to length feathers" on the shafts first then when all arrows are done (like 3 fletch flu-flus) -- Then I burn them all at once.

Arne

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Ken Its easy.  There are a lot of good threads around but this is what I do.

Cut the feather to length.  Bend the wire how you want the fletch to look.  adjust it so it is off your shaft otherwise your shaft will burn.  twist the shaft toward  (up) you so the melted feathers drop away. turn slow but not too slow          :p   .  

You can make the final cuts with a dremel or sharp knife. (tag ends and unshapely quills)

I love smelling my fletch long after they've been burnt.  some people scrape the burth edge but I find after a few shots its usually gone anyhow.

The concave side of the wire should face out.

   

   

[m midd]

I used some arrows i already had fletched to get my ribbon shapes. When you start out be sure to set the ribbons away from the quill base about a 1/8" as the ribbon will expand some when hot. Definately burn outdoors, it is a smell that lingers a while

[macbow]

Heck Kenny it's your shop smoke 'em if you want to.

I second leaving a little,space where it,gets close to,the quill.
If using wood arrows with paint etc. can catch fire if too close.

[JimB]

As Moe stated,the ribbon will expand when it gets hot.The two sharp bends in the ribbon,at the front and back of the feather-that part of the ribbon closest to the shaft,need to be close to 1/8" off the shaft when cold.If not,they will burn the feather base and shaft at those points.That seems like a lot of space but you will see when it heats up.If it is too much,you can adjust it in a tiny bit but don't get it too close.Be patient and take your time setting it up.It takes some trial and error.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

The cool part is you can make all sorts of feather shapes.

 

 

 

[kennym]

Thank you guys! I know the shape I want, it is a modified Tomahawk chop on 4" feathers.

I imagine the fletches need to be accurate length and on the shaft evenly, I mean the ends....

[Surewood Steve]

Two things and the first one I think has been said, heat expands metal, so set your wire about 1/8" back from the shaft.  Plus DON'T put a fan near by to blow the smoke away, your feathers can catch on fire.  I speak from experience.  And the last thing after burning don't expect to hug the little woman, burnt feathers is not like after shave!!!!

[petalumapete]

I use a small strip of tin foil wrapped around the shaft in front and behind the feather. It protects the cresting from getting burnt.

I burn out side keeps the wife happy

[FerretWYO]

It is a lot of fun. I was given one by a friend and have had a lot of fun with it.

The ends do need to be cut all the same it will help you for sure when time comes to burn them./

[iohkus]

I enjoy making the templates for the shapes as much as burning the feathers. Right now I have some small wood slabs (1/2 x 1 x 5) in reserve. Draw your pattern, grind to shape on a disc sander, label and keep them for future use. The wires can be reshaped, but they work better left dedicated to the original pattern. Reshaping to a "shorter" pattern works best if you just "have to" reshape them.  

[mikebiz]

The ribbons are not flat.  The metal is concave on one side and convex on the other.  When I first saw them I wasn't sure which side should face the feather.  I looked it up here and found that the convex side should face the feather during the burn.

I agree that once the ribbon is shaped it's best to leave the feather profile alone and not attempt to reshape it.  Ribbons are pretty cheap so having one for shield, one for parabolic or whatever other shape and/or length saves time and frustration.  

Good luck.

[TommyBoy]

What m midd said x 2.

[kennym]

Thanks guys, you just saved me some arras I'm sure!!

I'm gonna see if I can mess up a couple this weekend!

I have always chopped feathers, but am wanting a shape not available....

[mikebiz]

Once you get your shape down and the burner/ribbon clearances set up properly you are going to love how the burned feathers turn out.  It takes a little tweaking, but I think they turn out great and the option of making any shape you want can make for some very unique arrows.

[kennym]

Thanks again, did a few arrows , ended up having to cut 1/8" of quill off back end, need further adjustment on things....

[Walt Francis]

Kenny,
Practice on old busted arrows, it is a lot less expensive.

To keep peace in the house, I have been known to burn them on the front porch when it was 10 below.  Left them outside for an hour after they were done.  If you have the burner set up correct you can do a dozen arrows in two or three minutes.

[kennym]

Yep, practicing on my target arrows, plenty good for them. Gonna finetune a bit before building huntin arrows.

Will need full height feathers for them, was making these from 5" shield to 4.25"  of my own idea!!

Oh, I burned em in the open back of shop, and happy to not have it in my shop!!LOL