Question on the Bitzenburger

[DngrsDan]

If I have a RW Bitz will putting in a LW indexer and using a LW clamp be all I have to do to convert it to LW? Or is there some other adjustment needed?

[hunt it]

Yep, the base is neutral, it's the clamp thats right or left far as I know.

[Bear Heart]

That will be all you need material wise.  You will have to readjust you jig.

[DngrsDan]

Hmmmm....notice the cornfuzed look on m' face....
Two responses telling me two different things.

What adjustment would need done?

[wharvey]

Most likely the offsets. (Those knobs on the frame.)

[Jake]

LW clamps need LW dials  RW clamps need RW dials.  Straight clamps will work with all 3.  Straight dials will work with all 3.  RW and LW do not work together.

[BobW]

They told you the same thing...    . You need no additional parts but you need to re-set the offset (the two silver knobs with hex heads on the face of the stand body) to the opposite direction.  Those knobs are used to adjust your helical and make sure you get a good "lay" of the foot of the fletching along the shaft.  Remember, they are turned opposite of each other, or you are just moving the while fletch off the azis of the shaft (don't ask me how I know this.....    )

[Orion]

You have what you need, a left wing nock indicator and left wing clamp.  In addition, there are adjustment knobs on the top of the clamp, which you use to adjust the amount of offset.  For right wing feathers, you use the knobs to adjust the clamp offset to the right.  For left wing feathers, use them to adjust the offset to the left.  Same knobs, you just turn them in different directions.  Much easier to do than to explain.  Good luck.

[DngrsDan]

OK...got it now. Thanks guys.

[bmb]

if you use a pressure fit( unibushing type) nock though...you dont need the LW nock indexer. i almost ordered one till they asked what kind of nocks i used. i just started fletching my own arrows and i get alot of joy doing it....keeps me from looking at too many bows:)

[DngrsDan]

bmb.....I was wondering what the heck the difference would be between a RW indexer and a LW indexer. They just turn the arrow to the next position for fletching. Wouldn't they both be the same?

[bmb]

i dont know. they just told me i didnt need one b/c i just turn my nocks to align them afterwards.

[Lechwe]

Don't bother with a LW indexer, you are good with the one that came with it.

[sdpeb1]

Why would you need another indexer?

[luvnlongbow]

I am by no means an expert on this subject. That said I would think that the indexer is to orient the fletch to the shaft acording to the wing of the fletch if you are using feathers.

[freefeet]

The Bitz has an optional set of nock receivers, "Model TM".  This set comes in L R or S and has to be matched to the clamp (this is what the instruction book says).  The standard nock receiver that comes with the jig does all three.

I have no idea why the Model TM nock receiver has to be matched as i don't have one.  As long as you're using the standard one that came with the jig it'll do L R and S.  As mentioned above, you only need to change the clamp and the two offset dials.

[Steve O]

Well, I am no expert, but I will give it a shot...

I believe the Indexers are important for the wood arrow guys and in the old days when aluminum arrows had glue on nocks.  The R and L indexers started the cock feather in with a different position as you would have for a R or L shooter and the TM put cock feather down for the "shoot thru" TM Hunter style prong rest in later years.

Many of the old timers made their "glue on" nocks indexable (one time    ) by fletching their arrows on the Bitz with the nock pressed on tightly, then getting their arrow positioned properly on the bow, making a mark and then finally gluing on the nock.