glue vs. tape for fletches on a wooden arrow.

[Todd Mathis]

I have been a solid "glue on" guy all my life.  Does tape REALLY work as well?  I shoot bamboo arrows, and they are smooth like cedar arrows are.  But I have trust issues with "gadgets".  Is this tape real or a gadget?

[Longtoke]

tape works well for me, I dab a bit of super glue on the edges of the fletch to be sure.  That being said I have not tested them out in the heat yet,

[Rough Run]

Bohning brand tape works well.  I recently recovered a POC shaft that I lost at a shoot back in September.  All 4 feathers were still fully adhered, although 2 were badly sun-bleached.  A drop of Saunders NPV on each end, and the tape works well.

[Todd Mathis]

Thanks!  I guess it's time to enter a new century!!  :-)

[crazynate]

I use it when I'm in a hurry and cant wait for arrows to sit in clamps for 20 minutes. I have never had an issue with it. Except its expensive

[Jon Kaw]

I've lost and found numerous arrows that were fletched with tape. The fletching may be destroyed but the quill is still attached to the arrow.  I put a drop of Duco at both ends of the fletch.

I have heard two things to watch for with tape, make sure that the surface is not lump and if used on bare aluminum, the tape can get soft in direct hot sun light or in a hot vehicle.   I use it myself and put an dab of Gorilla super glue on each end and one in the middle.  Most of the time with wood I still use Duco, but if just want to slap a quick 6 together for myself or someone else, the tape is quick.

[slowbowjoe]

I've never had a problem with Bohning tape unless it was an error on my part. Used it for around 5 years now, on dozens of sets of Doug Fir and Sitka Spruce.
Also have found arrows after being lost for days, weeks, or months, and the tape bond still solid. Do a lot of stumping, so fletching takes a beating - still good. Re-fletching is a whole lot easier with tape, also.

Just make sure you have good contact, run your thumb down the quill after removing from clamp, and a dab of Duco at the lead edge and tail edge, and you're good.
Living up north, I haven't had issues with the tape moving around, up to around 90 degree F temps. And again, be sure it's Bohning brand.

[Rick Richard]

Durable,but I find it to be a pain to apply.

[reddogge]

Had problems of tape "migrating" in hot weather and cars. The middle of the feather slid sideways plus some feathers got layed over to side.

I now use NPV glue on all feathers.

[hawkeye n pa]

Have also had hot weather tape problems with feathers sliding..

[Pat B]

I haven't used fletch glue(Duco for me) since I discovered fletch tape. I've used it on cedar, fir, spruce, ash, poplar, hill cane, switch cane, garden shop variety Tonkin and commercial Tonkin shafts, all with good success.
 This gadget has proved itself to me over the years.

[Mike Vines]

Friends don't let friends use fletching tape.

Sure it saves time, but if you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?  

I've tried the tape, and had complete failure.  I was trying to find an easy way to do it.  All it took me is one ruined hunt.  Lesson learned.  I went back to using Duco glue, and no more failures.

[dnovo]

I've never used tape myself. I did have some arrows that I got in a trade that had fletch tape on them and at Cloverdale one year had problems with them laying over and migrating a bit.
I've always used fletching glue as I know it works and I'm never in that big of a hurry I can't wait 15-20 minutes to do another round of fletching. Arrow building is something I enjoy and savor so I don't prefer to rush through it. I don't think I've ever seen a professional use tape on arrows they sell.

[Michael Arnette]

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
Friends don't let friends use fletching tape.

Sure it saves time, but if you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?  

I've tried the tape, and had complete failure.  I was trying to find an easy way to do it.  All it took me is one ruined hunt.  Lesson learned.  I went back to using Duco glue, and no more failures.

Agreed

[Jon Stewart]

I have had feathers fold over in the heat when using fletch tape. Glue for me..

[centaur]

Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
 

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
Friends don't let friends use fletching tape.

Sure it saves time, but if you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?  

I've tried the tape, and had complete failure.  I was trying to find an easy way to do it.  All it took me is one ruined hunt.  Lesson learned.  I went back to using Duco glue, and no more failures.

Agreed [/b]

x3

[JakeD]

I've used the bohning tape and it worked well for me. I put a dab of super glue on each end. I haven't left any out in the heat, so I don't know how it would affect them.

[Yooper-traveler]

Never had any issues using the tape.  I do however hunt in the north so I may not have run into the kind of high temperatures others have.  High 80's is about it.

[mwosborn]

Originally posted by centaur:
 

Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
 

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
Friends don't let friends use fletching tape.

Sure it saves time, but if you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?  

I've tried the tape, and had complete failure.  I was trying to find an easy way to do it.  All it took me is one ruined hunt.  Lesson learned.  I went back to using Duco glue, and no more failures.

Agreed [/b]

x3 [/b]

Respectfully disagree - thousands of shot and see no difference between glue and tape.