Fletching tape gets the axe

[heydeerman]

Been using the tape for about 8 years or so. I have had it with feathers sliding around the shaft. I am in the process of stripping all my arrows and re-fletching with glue. It was the beans when it first came out and is good in a pinch but it sure is aggravating when it doesnt hold. And yes I did put a dab of glue on the ends of the feathers.

[Danny Rowan]

I am with you Jim, quit using it several years ago for the same reason.

[Mike Vines]

I have done the same a while ago, but I have had a bad batch of Duco last year.  Kinda disturbing, but crap happens.  Threw out the bottle of duco, and grabbed a new one.  No problems since...nock on wood...I figure if I'm going to add glue front middle and back, just skip the tape and glue it up.  Seemed redundant to me to attach it and then reinforce that attachment with a product that has the same purpose.

[Friend]

Disappointed to hear of your less than desireable experience.

Have likely fletch-taped 15+ dozen arrows in the past several years. Never once have I had a single fletch to slip or fail prematurely. If we shared the same experince, I too would also consider a different approach.

[Over&Under]

Originally posted by Friend:
Disappointed to hear of your less than desireable experience.

Have likely fletch-taped 15+ dozen arrows in the past several years. Never once have I had a single fletch to slip or fail prematurely. If we shared the same experince, I too would also consider a different approach.

X2...I have had great experiences with it.

[BowDiddle]

A spot of glue at the center of the fletching in addition to each end will go a long way toward solving your problem.

[Stumpkiller]

Interesting.  I have been thinking of trying it - having been a Duco long-term user - and now rethinking.  I have never had a fletch fall off that wasn't arrow-struck or a grass/bale pass through.

[ron w]

I have never had a problem with the Fletch tape...

[wihill]

Always wanted to try it, but superglue is just so dang convenient!  Major pain to strip off, though...

[ALwoodsman]

I was not impressed with it.

[Brazos]

I wonder if maybe the quality control on the production of the tape gets spotty at times.  That is the only way I can explain some people's experience as it is too simple to screw up. I have had wonderful experiences with the tape.  I believe it to be the finest archery invention of the last 25 years.  As an example I have not fletched arrows in several years until this past June.  I fletched up a dozen XX75's using an old half used roll of fletch tape.  Out of that dozen arrows I have pounded the same 3-4 of those arrows on a regular basis.  Shot thru, or had to pull the arrows thru the target butt a number of times.  After 9 months of abuse, many nocks replace, fletchings looking a little ragged, I have not had one fletching move.

[John146]

What Brazos said for me too. Sorry to hear you had issues.

[Knawbone]

I also have had great success with the fletch tape. BUT it all depends on what type of finish your using. I have had good holding results with stained arrows with wipe on poly but high gloss not so much. Quality paint will hold tape well and water base poly works ok as far as I can tell. Using a dab of glue on each end and the center of the fletch will benefit. I often use a high gloss poly on the shaft below the fletch area, and a wipe on poly for the fletching area with no issues.

[Stumpkiller]

Perhaps it works better on aluminum and carbon than wood?

[Brazos]

I use fletch tape w/o issue on wood.  I have plenty of wood arrows that were fletched with tape years ago still going strong.  I do typically crown dip (actually use  spray paint) my arrows.  Maybe that has helped my success in some way.  I do say if you haven't tried it you need to.  So nice to crank out arrows and not have to wait for glue to dry.  If you do decide to refletch arrows just pull them off w/o scraping.

[Bjorn]

Glue is not as easy as tape but I hate the feathers sliding around!

[Knawbone]

I'm wondering if the manufacturer would have a application guide? If they do they should include it with the product.I think the stuff is great with the proper application.

[Jon Stewart]

Stopped using tape last year when my feathers folded over when it was warm out.

Went back to glue.

[will_hunt]

MAN! Never had a single issue in hundreds of fletches over many rolls of the stuff. My only complaint is that if you let a full roll of new tape fall of the table and you are still holding the end, it "clusters" the whole deal. Ha!

[petalumapete]

I've been using it for a few years and never had a problem. The only time I've had fletchs fall off it was my fault because of being in a hurry and not preping the shafts right.