Fletching Prep

[fish n chicks]

I was hoping to get some idea of how most prep their fletching from raw feather to fletch. Do you dye before or after you cut and grind; how thin do you like to get the quill? What's the best shape you've found for longbow brace heights; glue or tape; COLORS!? Every situation is unique, so color is important, right? Dyes?

There are no wrong answers, just a Rabbi, a Priest, and a Minister walking into a bar, and talking about arrow fletching.

TIA

[Art B]

Personally, I like to keep things as simply as possible anymore fish. Don't stain my shafts and use colored (as in wild turkey) fletching anymore either.

For tapered on fletching I grind the quill super thin, wrapped fletching a little thicker.

As far as color, a little crown coating for hunting arrows, nothing much for target arrows except to leave things natural looking.

If you're using wood/natural materials for your  arrows, it's very important IMO to distinguish one arrow from another. Some folks just have to have their set(s) looking idential, which to me, is a lack of understanding of just what they're dealing with.

 I use either a single stripe colored creast for each individual arrow or different colored thread wrap over the leading point of the fletching to distinguish my arrows apart........Art

[okie64]

I like the look of natural turkey wing feathers so I dont dye mine any color. As for the quill, I grind it down fairly thin(1/8" or less). I glue mine on and sometimes wrap the front and back ends of the quill with sinew or thread. For hunting I usually dip the arrows in white paint and target arrows I dip black or not at all. I really have no preference on the shape of the feathers, they all will shoot good if they're spined correctly.

[Art B]

For selfbows that have a more "round the handle" arrow pass a larger shield-cut works best in my opinion. Gives you more drag in the rear of the fletch to help overcome paradox quicker. Plus, I like the look........Art

[Dan Landis]

I only dye the cock feather, more for looks than anything else.  Have had good success with the Rit cloth dyes.  Once mixed I save the liquid in tall glass jars and reuse it.  It seems to keep well, I've had some now for 3 years and still works fine.  I grind feathers and cut to length before dying.....Dan

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I do my own turkey feathers like this.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/mohunter68?feature=mhee

Most times I use them the colors that nature gave them, or I might dye some with kool aid and vinegar just to break up the monotany a bit like this.

 
 
 

As far as shafting goes, I'm into footed carbons at the moment, but before that it was woodies. By this fall it may be river cane or even aluminum? Who knows, just whatever I seem to be getting along with at the time but my footed carbons are really working well for me at present.
I like the 4 3/4" Sheild cut and I chop all my own feathers, I also have a fondness for chartruese because it's bright. I almost always use a bright arrow wrap from solid white to blaze orange cause I like to see em fly!
I've tried the fletch tape and it's ok, but I always seem to keep going back to my Goat Tuff glue no matter what the shaft material is. This stuff is the bomb for feather fletching!

[red hill]

I'm a cheapskate! I get carbon arrows from wally-world, strip the vanes off and use fletch tape to apply pre-formed feathers. I had planned on collecting some river cane and using some turkey feathers from a friend but haven't taken the time.
I personally favor natural cotors with an odd cock feather color and bright nock. Would like to try the fuzzy colored contraption I saw on an arrow posted dome while back but don't quite know how it's done.
 

[fish n chicks]

Thanks for the great tips guys! Please keep em coming.


 

Originally posted by red hill:
 I saw on an arrow posted dome while back but don't quite know how it's done.
     

Red I think you're talking about this awesome accessory. I intend on doing the same to my hunters.

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000110

[inksoup]

this is very nice work chris. thanks for sharing  

[fish n chicks]

I'd love to not lose those Semo! Very nice. I will start coloring after cutting and grinding I think. I really just hate losing arrows, so i'm tying to cut that down if I can.


Art, great tip using the cresting to distinguish arrows. I'm going to have to implement that idea. I cut some woodies yesterday, and plan on keeping those simple for target shooting. Some flu-flu's as well for this fall/winter's duck season.

[frank bullitt]

I like simple when doing arrow. Like my squirrel arrows, no crest and most time, no dye or even finish! They usually are short lived!

And depending on my mood and time, I will pretty 'em up, too!

Dyes, Feibings. Glue tape is the best and cleanest, IMO, but will use according to shaft material, Duco, Flechtite.. alum. if needed. For years it was all we had!

Sharpies for simple crest, and have used on bright colored feathers, for bar effect.

Wrap with serving on fletch and on self nocks, along with real sinew. Heck I've even used white mans leather..elect. tape on the leading edge of feathers.  :D  

No matter what, make sure the shafts are clean, prep, wipe down with acetone for good adhesion!