Need some fletching advice

[Michael Salter]

I have a number of arrows that need to be refletched. I've been given 6 or 8 whole wild turkey wings. Any advice on how to prep and cut the feathers with only hand tools would be appreciated.

[Roy from Pa]

That will get you started. Then cut them to the size and shape you want with scissors and glue them on.

[fujimo]

do you strip the feathers like that Roy- for fletching- only done it for splicing before-
is it durable- must make for a nice low profile on the shaft!

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by fujimo:
do you strip the feathers like that Roy- for fletching- only done it for splicing before-
is it durable- must make for a nice low profile on the shaft!

Good question, I'm also curious. I notice whenever feathers get damaged it seems that the quill is separating from the pithy white core stuff, and often the quill is still totally intact, just detached.

[Roy from Pa]

I don't do it that way, but for simplicity I showed him that. But they glue down very nicely when stripped.
I use a carpenters knife and slice the feather down the center of the quill. Then cut it to about an inch longer than I want, then clamp it in a straight clamp and grind the quill flat and thinner. Then I chop the feather. However sounds like he will be using scissors.

[Pat B]

I do like Roy also. I never liked stripped feathers for some reason.
 The easy way to remove the feathers from the wings is to clip the quill with side cutters.

[Michael Salter]

Thanks to all, especially Roy & Pat. I actually thought I would need to use a razor knife/box cutter/carpenters knife type blade but I would try scissors if it would work better. The advice about the side cutters will be very helpful when I get to the work (after hunting season - I have enough arrows for the season). The video is great and I may try the stripping method on a couple feathers.

By "hand tools", I guess I meant that I don't have any specific feather prepping tools like a die cutter or a burner. I just have general workshop stuff.

[Roy from Pa]

http://www.3riversarchery.com/3Rivers+Little+Chopper+Feather+Die+Cutter_i4398X_baseitem.html

There ya go, don't tell the wife.. LOL

[monterey]

I have cut them using a cardboard template.  Not as pretty as a chopper or burner but works fine.

[Roy from Pa]

Just like you cut out your paper dolls, Monterey?    

[monterey]

Hmmmm... Been a long time since I've made a trip back east.  Might be time!  Just to compare paper dolls of course.    :eek:      :eek:

[Roy from Pa]

LMAO..

Stop in when ya get back here, always cold beer in the bow shop....

[Michael Salter]

Thanks, Roy, but I have enough "don't tell the wife" stuff to hide already. I may try the die cutter some time (I know someone who has one but he doesn't live real close to me) but I thought I would try the completely old-fashioned route first.

I will certainly try using thin cardboard as a template. I thought I would use paper to start and when I got what I liked I would transfer the pattern to cardboard. My current hunting arrows are fletched with 5 inch parabolic feathers but I have a few practice arrows fletched in both shield and traditional shapes (also 5 inch).

Again, thanks for all the tips. I'm looking forward to this project.

[passion for knowledge]

Haven't tried turkey feathers yet, but I do have some just waiting to be used.

Lots of Canada geese living close by, so I've made a bunch of arrows using the local feather supply.

I cut along the quill, carefully, with a craft knife - sometimes more successful than others - then grip the feather in a piece of sign box hinge - leaving the quill part exposed.

Grab yourself a nice new sheet of 60 - 80 grit sandpaper and gently rub in a direction parallel to the quill to remove as much of the inner soft parts, being careful not to go too deep, which is easy to do. This gives you a nice thin area to glue to the shaft. I usually wrap the front edge of the quill with a bit of thin thread and varnish it to prevent the end of the quill catching and lifting.

I have a really fancy      fletching device made from 3 spring clothes pegs and a few bits of wood to align things and use the same piece of hinge mentioned above to hold the fletching straight while I glue it in place - Superglue is best, so you don't have to hold things in place too long.
A good sharp pair of scissors and a bit of care will give acceptable results for shaping.


 (I've been in the sign business since the ability to drive a paintbrush was essential so I have access to sign hinge) Go to your local sign shop and see if they have any - lots gets thrown in the recycle bin so you will likely get a couple of bits for free if you ask nicely and tell 'em what you want it for. Most people seem to think archery is kinda cool, even if they don't take part.

Hope this helps.

[passion for knowledge]

Here's what I was trying to describe, regarding the hinge.

 http://s25.postimg.org/s701w3emn/hinge_01.jpg

 http://s25.postimg.org/uplqws0cv/hinge_02.jpg

You can make out the exposed edge of the quill in hinge_02

[fujimo]

very cool passion man!
i bought a big hinge from the hardware store- and did the same thing- but that sign hinge looks the deal- gonna ask the local printer  

[monterey]

First time I tried the cardboard template was on feathers that were already glued to the shafts.  Not recommended!  I have a burner and chopper.  Definitely prefer the burner.

Roy, story of my life is when I got the money I got no time, or as is the present case I got the time but no money.    

Beer and bows! The perfect combination...... As Long as you leave out the sharp tools.

[fujimo]

seen some cheap burners built with battery chargers etc- might have to u tube it

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by fujimo:
seen some cheap burners built with battery chargers etc- might have to u tube it

I thought once .... Ihhhhhh knows bouts 'lectricty..... I'z gon' make me a feather burner .....

Well several exploded wires later and a small outdoor fire and I decided it would be safer and quicker to work the overtime to buy Mr. Young's very nice fancy feather burner ...... Still haven't forked over the money .... Decided it was safest and cheapest to use scissors ....

[fujimo]

   
yeppers- i use the young feather burner- i love mine- my wife hates it though- as my shop was adjoining the house- this year i have a new separate shop!