Removal of old fletchings

[Bobtulowiecki]

Starting to repair some arrows that have taken a beating through winter and fall.  Can anyone recommend a way to remove old fletchings/glue off of carbon arrows?  Thanks in advance

[Pete McMiller]

I always just use my pocket knife.  Keep the angle to the shaft shallow so you don't damage it.  Take your time you will have to go over the shaft multiple times at that shallow angle to get everything.  When you are done take a paper towel soaked in acetone and scrub any residue off.  Now you're ready to fletch.

[JRY309]

Just go slow and take your time,carbons are tough arrows but can get gouged scraping off old fletching.Especially the woodgrain carbons.Thats why I always like to use an arrow wrap on my carbons,it makes them so much easier to redo later without scraping the carbon shaft.And chances are unless you loose it you will be refletching them down the line.I've striped a dozen carbons with wraps in 10 to 15 minutes.I have spent 10 to 15 minutes just scraping old fletching off one arrow.

[Chad Orde]

I just started using the potato/carrot peeler and it works like a dream!

[Pete McMiller]

Holy moly Chad, never thought of a potato peeler.  Just tried it and you are right - works great.  Never too late to learn something new - thanks.

[Bryan Korte]

Man I always used my pocket knife which works well but I'm definitely trying the potato peeler next time. Sounds like a great idea.

[creekwood]

This is the reason that I have been using wraps. When time to refletch, it is a breeze to remove the old wrap with the fletches attached.

[Stump73]

I use a dull pairing knife from the kitchen.

[Whitetail Addict]

Originally posted by Chad Orde:
I just started using the potato/carrot peeler and it works like a dream!

Thanks Chad! Seems like I learn something new every time I'm here.    

Bob

[LongbowArchitect]

Thanks for the tip Chad. I just used a potato peeler on one of my arrows and it works great! I'm not going to dread removing fletching and wraps anymore.

[dnurk]

Originally posted by Whitetail Addict:
 

Originally posted by Chad Orde:
I just started using the potato/carrot peeler and it works like a dream!

Thanks Chad! Seems like I learn something new every time I'm here.        

Bob [/b]

+1 more.  Great tip and so simple

[Bobtulowiecki]

Appreciate the peeler idea. Good stuff!

[Hoyt]

Another good reason for using fletching tape. I can remove fletching from one arrow and use it on another without any damage to the feather or shaft.

If you are using fletching tape just take a razor blade or really thin, sharp, blade. Slide the blade under the dab of glue on front low profile part of feather to break loose and then grab the feather at the base a slowly peel it off working back to the high profile end as you go.

I then carefully scrape the glue dabs off shaft with thin blade and what sticky tape residue is on shaft I first rub with alcohol and then take bottom of my thumb and rub the sticky stuff off. Rub again with alcohol to get oil from thumb off before refletching.

On the removed feather I take the thin blade and scrape front profile part of feather base to get tape that's left on it starts rolling back and then just peel it off when using feather again.

[GANDGOLF]

I always use a Stanley utility knife with the curved blades. Fits a 5/16 carbon arrow perfectly. Blades get dull- switch to the other end . Be awhile before you have to buy new blades.
Wipe off any excess with denatured alcohol and you're good to go.  

[SELFBOW19953]

They sell a feather stripper at 3 Rivers.  They work great on aluminum, don't use carbon so don't know if they would work.

[Bayou Buck]

I second feather strippers/scrapers. They make it easy.

Also: Back in the day I worked in a pro shop and refletched arrows for weeks on end. We used lacquer thinner to clean glue residue off of carbon shafts. If you go that route, wear gloves, make sure to have good ventilation, and keep the solvent away from your nock if it's glued on.

[LongbowArchitect]

"I always use a Stanley utility knife with the curved blades. Fits a 5/16 carbon arrow perfectly."

Thank you GandGolf for this tip. I stopped by Home Depot on my way home from work yesterday and picked up a 5-pack of hook blades. I tried one out last night and it works even better than a potato peeler. The sharp curved blade fits my 5/16" carbon shafts perfectly. Amazing!