Applying fletching tape

[toot]

I bought some tape the other day.. Tried it on ONE feather and put it in my desk drawer..  :mad:  

How does a person get the backing off successfully. I put it on, and cut it with a stanley knife. Then proceeded to tangle myself in it.. Tried it again with the same results..

I can get unbelievably tangled in a small strip of tape..

Toot

[Danny Rowan]

LOL, Toot,

put the feather in your clamp,run the tape along the quil, cut to length leaving a tiny bit of an over hang. Press the tape down the length of the fletch and press the overhang down on the clamp. using your finger nail lift the backing and peal off.

Danny

[metsastaja]

I use a sharp pair of very small very sharp sewing scissors. Apply to fletch and snip it off.
To get backing off once on fletch I use xacto knife.

[bearfootin]

I do it the same as stated above, but I find it easier to apply the tape to the quill if I hold the Bitz clamp with a spring type clamp and the quill facing up. I lay the spring clamp on the table, with the quill up and have both hands to apply the tape straight and keep it perfectly alligned with the quill wether it is straight or helical. Don't forget to apply a dab of Fletch Tite to both ends of the fletch afterwards. Oh ya, I also run my thumb along the fletch on top to make sure the tape has a good contact with the shaft. Hope that helps,...Lloyd

[waiting4fall]

[zilla]

I use the edge of a razor knife to catch the edge.  Once you get the hang of it it's easy..

[Dan Chamberlain]

How does that tap hold up in cold weather?

Dan

[toot]

HEYYYYY..

I did it..   I am a fletch tapin' machine..

Yes sir..

Thanks, Toot

[Tom Leemans]

It holds up just fine in cold weather!

[Greg Szalewski]

I haven't glued a feather on for over ten years. If you don't wreck or loose the arrow the feathers will wear out before they come off.

[ranger 3]

Will the tape stick to cane or do you have to prep is first?

[Soilarch]

Toot- I'm like you, I may give it another try but I've since gone to superglue "gel". I'm still using glue but I'll never use a "fletching" glue again!

[Traditional-Archer]

Well I've got one for you guys, try this out.
Start your tape like you all said, then Just take a bic lighter and touch the end with the heat, tape curls up just a little just the non sticking side of the tape. This will really help. With big fingers and no coordination it helps me.

[Kingstaken]

What Danny Says. The best invention since duct tape.
Run a bead of glue along the edge and top and bottom.

[Jake Allen]

I think the key is to keep the liner about 1/2" longer than the tape.
Stretch the tape across the feather, leave the tape about 1/4 off the end, press the tape to the feather, pull the liner back, trim the other end.
Easy to trim the excess tape after it's stuck to the shaft.
Surface prep is the key to the tape sticking.
Rubbing alcohol is the best cleaner I know of.

[acolobowhunter]

I have used the tape for a LOOOONG time and would not use anything else.  
Try using fingernail clippers to cut it after you apply it to the feather.  Works good.  As memtioned leave a tag (1/16") long then push it around the corner of the end of the feather.  The backing will release for you to pull it off.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Kingstaken:
What Danny Says. The best invention since duct tape.
Run a bead of glue along the edge and top and bottom.

If I have to run a bead of glue around the feather anyway, why not just glue the sucker on and be done with it? What is the advantage of the tape if you have to glue the feathers on anyway?