Arrow Making Help Please - Feather Bases

[BobCo 1965]

I have been fletching up my own arrows for years. I have a question however. I have seen some very nice feather fletched arrows that have very minimal bases on them but have never attempted that myself. The bases of my arrows look huge especially on a small diameter shaft. I have heard that you can put the feather on a clamp and run it along a sander, however, I really do not want to do that with my Bitz clamps.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bob

[AkDan]

make a clamp....or buy a straight clamp.

[outbackbowhunter]

buy a big bull dog clamp from a stationary store for the sanding

[Jack Denbow]

I use the Great Northern feather grinding system and "regrind" the bases on my feathers. It makes a narrow grind that sits on the shaft nicely. You could do it by hand but if you do a lot you may want to get some kind of system to make it easier.
Jack

[No-sage]

You don't need to turn the belt sander on, so I can't see where it would hurt your clamp.  

You could even just use a piece of sandpaper glued to a flat board.

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by AkDan:
make a clamp.....

Any ideas AkDan?


That bulldog clamp looks interesting, but I do not see one longer then 2 5/8".

[snag]

I just use a bitz straight clamp. You're not hurting the clamp any.

[cbCrow]

I use a piece of 150 grit paper on a board and a old straight clamp and can get them ground down quick.

[AkDan]

Bob,

depends on what you need.   If it's a LONG feather a couple strips of sheet metal (or a couple steel rules) and some spring clamps would work just fine, mind you roll the edges obviously on the sheet metal.

I've done a few when doing spliced feathers and just used a straight clamp.  the feathers were already cut to the length I needed.   I also didn't use a belt sander.  I used plate glass and sandpaper.  I HAD this for sharpening plane blades, glass with a bunch of sandpaper on it.  I need to remake the jig after my move 2 years ago, obviously havent done any planing with hand planes lately   .  It works well, though to fine of sand paper will take awhile.

 I find myself mostly using a straight clamp and a block sander for what little grinding I end up doing anymore.  

Also if you're going to do a ton it's dusty, wear a mask!!!

If you ARE going to do a ton, why not build Dean Torge's grinding clamp?   It's a helluva lot cheaper then the GN jig (I'm cheap what can I say, though I would like to buy a GN as I'm sure it's better then what I have by a huge margin LOL).  The only problem I had was finding a bushing for the bottom of my drum using the Torges clamp.  I have a bunch of turkey feathers from this spring I need to grind....one of the many winter projects!

[Shakes.602]

Use a "Tater Chip Bag Clip"! They are Long enough, and Grip Real Well!! OH yeah, 'bout forgot the Best Part: They are "Inexpensive" too!!

[BobCo 1965]

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

Ak, not planning on doing a lot just my sons and mine for our own personal shooting.

Shakes, the chip clips that I have seen usually have teeth on them. What type are you using?

[Shakes.602]

I just Put a Piece of Soft Auquarium Tubing, Split it, and Put It Over the Teeth!! If They Start to  "Point Through"  the Hose, I take a  DREMEL  and Grind the Sharps Off!!
   AND  the Rubber adds "Grip, Not Slip!!" Isnt that a Commercial for Poligrip or something of that Product Line?? Of Which I will have  USE  for before Too Long!!! heh heh  :rolleyes:        

[john fletch]

I use a Jo Jan straight clamp that the little ring fell off.  I use 2 extra paper clips (the black V shaped ones) to hold the feather tight.

The Jo Jan is longer than the Bitz and you can sand off more surface that way.  I can do 6" of feather at a time.

Most of my usable turkey and goose are not much longer than 6" anyway.