Dookey on ducco!

[jfelkins]

I just got feathers to make spiral flu flu's. I'm trying to use ducco cement as advised by 3three rivers. It's not sticking at all. What am I doing wrong?! Or better yet, what the right way to use ducco and is it the right stuff? Thanks for your help.

[Ray Hammond]

Are you cleaning your shaft material first? Often there is residue- you can use denatured alcohol and a rag/paper towel, soak it, wipe the shaft clean, allow to dry, then apply the cement and fletching.

did they recommend duco for the shafts you are using? I wouldn't recommend duco for carbons... It also has to be compatible with your finish if you are fletching wooden shafts.

[Grey Taylor]

Until it's dry the glue doesn't have enough tac to hold a spiral feather by itself. If you pin, staple, or clamp the feather ends until the glue is dry you should have better results.
It can also help to run the feather base over the edge of a table to "break" the base a little bit.

Guy

[jfelkins]

Thanks, I'm using alum shafts, cleaning well and waiting till "dry." about 15 minutes after app.

[JAG]

I've used Duco for years, and had good results. (use fletch tape now, for regular feathers)  Like posted above, you need to clamp the ends of the feathers until the glue sets/dries.  I like to leave mine clamped 30 min. for flu-flus.
Just my .02 worth.
JAG

[Pat B]

I used Duco for years on cedars with good results. Since I started using fletch tape I will stick to it. It makes making spiral fluflus easy as pie. Just add the tape to the feather quill press the rear end to the shaft and wrap the feather around the shaft. It holds itself in place. I always wrap at least the forward end of all my fletching to protect my hand. I usually wrap the rear too and especially if I'm using self nocks.

[jfelkins]

Sounds good. Off to buy fletching tape.

[Joe Q.]

I use DAP weldwood contact cement to do my spirals.  Worked great.  The true flight page has very detailed instructions.

[wtpops]

Tip: It also helps to sand off most of the feather base, it make the feather a lot more plyable

[wingnut]

Never had any luck with Duco on aluminum.  Use fletch tite plantinum.

Mike

[Fletcher]

Fletch Tite, FT Plstinum or Saunders NPV would be my choices for alum, not Duco.

[jfelkins]

Thanks all. Immuring the true flight instructions. Must just need a different glue.

[jfelkins]

Immuring? I meant following. I did scrap, rub with alcohol and sand and re rub. Thanks again.

[Eric Krewson]

Duco doesn't work on aluminum. I tried it years ago, well cleaned shafts, bitz jig but my arrows still left a trail of feathers to the target.