Flaming feathers, help!

[BobT]

Well I burnt my first feathers last night and things didn't go exactly as planned. I bent my ribbon to the pattern that came with the Young feather burner, about 5 1/4" shield. I fletched them with all the right helical I could get out of my Bitzenberger and still stay on the shaft. I plugged in the burner and burnt away. The first two came out beautifully the third one caught on fire at the back corner. I scraped it off put a new one on and the same thing happened. What am I doing wrong?

Bob

[Orion]

May be turning the arrow too slowly.  Or the wire may be getting a little too hot.  I believe Young feather burners came with a small piece of rectangular shaped metal about 2 inches long.  Putting that in the slot alongside the ribbon apparently drains off some of the heat going through the wire.  If you don't have it, I would think a piece of nail or some other small piece of steel that fits in the slot would work.  Good luck.

[pointy sticks]

what orion said and maybe your turning your shaft too slowly. I've never had the fletch on the shaft catch but I have had the peices stuck to the ribbon catch.

Another helpful hint

Get some of that low tac painters tape and wrapo some around your shafts in front of and behind the feathers when burning. It will protect the shaft from possible heat damage.

[The Whittler]

I bet your place smells good lol.

[lefty4]

Back your ribbon away from the shaft/feather where it is catching. The ribbon should not touch the arrow or the feather base.

[wingnut]

It is probably the finish catching fire and not the a feather.  If the ribbon hits the finish it will burst into flames.

Mike

[BobT]

Thanks for the info! I read the instructions again about the ribbon support they said to remove it to reduce ribbon heat. It could also be the glue I suppose, I'm using Duco. I will recheck the ribbon but I don't think it's touching anything it shouldn't be. I figured there would be some sort of learning curve, mine are usually pretty steep! I will check your suggestions and try again.

Bob

[Mike Orton]

Bob,
You could also use a "Reostat" which is an electrical device that regulates the amount of current flowing to your feather burner.

[BobT]

You could also use a "Reostat" which is an electrical device that regulates the amount of current flowing to your feather burner.

Great tip!

Thanks,
Bob

[Bill Carlsen]

Some fletching cement and/or finishes will catch fire if the ribbon hits it. Keep the wire no closer to the shaft than the thickness of the quill. I always play it safe when installing a new ribbon and purposely burn the first couple of arrows with the wire out a little more than it needs to be. Then I adjust it a little at a time until I get it just right.