Fletching tape gets the axe

The Saunders glue works good for me on metal, fiberglass and carbon. My one set of a fletch tape arrows were left in a warm car. I took my bow out and thought my arrows would be all right since I left a window open, I was wrong.

[Blackhawk]

I recall reading that the tape would work better if kept in the fridge, so my tape is now cool.    :cool:  

I use it for the convenience and have had few issues...at least not enough for me to throw it away.  And I use wood, aluminum, and carbon.

This fletch tape issue reminds me of some bow threads I've seen.  Some love a bow while others wouldn't give $20 for a barrel full.  To each his own...use what works for you...and shoot straight.
   

[ranger 3]

I hate it

[riverrat 2]

Bad luck here to when it came to summer heat. rat'

[varmint101]

Old thread, but I will add I don't like the tape anymore either.  Too much trouble with shifting feathers.

[m midd]

No problems with tape here. I use glue for fletching.

[Longbow58]

If I had these problems with tape I would definitely not use it, but so far no problems in heat,cold even had one lay in the wet woods for a bit and am still using it.

[onewhohasfun]

I had failure with tape over wraps in zero degree temps. Never again.

[Flinttim]

I've used the tape in the past, 2 rolls of it,and if the quill is not ground perfectly perpendicular to the rest of the feather, the tape will allow the fletch to roll over.Out of a dozen arrows I could look at the fletch from the nock end and see one or two feathers that were not in alignment .Just yesterday I shot some old arrows that were taped and it was very cold here.Second arrow brushed up against the first arrow and nocked the feather off slicker than a whistle. Tape was still on the shaft but none on the feather. I use nothing but E6000 now . It works on all shafts so no need for multiple glues, and it has gap filling properties so that not so perfect ground fletch still stays where it should. 3 bucks a tube at your local big box store.

[lt-m-grow]

I swear that these tape threads are the tradgang's version of gap vs. instinctive.

Though I have to admit the "as long as I add glue" to the tape it works perfect -- makes me laugh.

[Blaino]

Never had any issue with tape... not at all! And I don't use any glue with it.  If the front of the feather isn't smooth just use a knife to make the transition smooth.

Ya’ll just send me the bad tap so your arrow building stations aren't cluttered up with "junk" that isn't in use.

[Ryman Cat]

No issues yet either. I keep my tape in fridge when done with it. I was told to do that and its been working. I was always reluctant to use then I got into it and really liked the ease of using.

[Bladepeek]

Originally posted by lt-m-grow:
I swear that these tape threads are the tradgang's version of gap vs. instinctive.

Though I have to admit the "as long as I add glue" to the tape it works perfect -- makes me laugh.

X2. I think you broke the code lt-m-grow  

[reddogge]

I had some arrows where the feathers laid down or moved with tape especially in hot weather and then some arrows the feathers remained perfect over the years.

I've been going back to NPV glue the last couple of years.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I start using tape two years ago and yes I had some of the fletching move it was my fault I did not make sure the fletching was fully seated. I still use it

[Ryan Sanpei]

Here's how I prefer to apply fletch tape. It's a little overkill, but it works for me.

 http://rysanpei.blogspot.com/2014/11/fletch-tape-for-feathers.html

[Flatshooter]

Never had a problem with the tape. I always put a spot of superglue on both ends of my feathers.

[Roy from Pa]

Been using tape for over 12 years, never had any slippage of feathers or any come loose. If I pull the feather off for some reason, the quill stays attached to the arrow shaft and the feather rips apart.

[Firstlight]

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
 

Originally posted by Firstlight:
Only read page one, off to work in a minute, BUT:

 

This is NOT an honest assessment of the ability of Fletch Tape.  If you "Run a bead of glue along the entire quill AND a drop on both ends", how could you Give credit to the feathers staying on the shaft by using fletch tape?

To each their own, but I have tried the tape and it has failed.  I don't want to risk losing a hunting opportunity because I decided to not wait the 5 minutes it takes for the glue to dry.  We invest so much into our sport, why cheap out on the easiest part of it?  If I have to use glue to make something work...either on the ends or along the quill...I might as well not use the tape at all and just skip that step, which I do.  (I skip the tape). [/b]

Hey Mike,

I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything here just sharing my experience of how I use fletching tape, which works flawlessly with 15+ years of shooting in the field, thus it is an "honest assessment."  

There are no rules saying I'm not allowed to use glue and tape on the same shaft...

So to appease your fear I assure you that you won't "lose any fletch in a hunting situation" nor is it, "cheap-ing out" in any manner, applying fletch in my manner.

The only right way to fletch IMO is one that allows you to achieve the arrow flight you want so you can hit what you want, knowing your fletch won't move between shots.

These are the methods of fletching I know will work with properly prepared shafts and quill, the only right answer is the one that works best for the individual.

1.  Use Glue only.
2.  Use Fletch Tape only.
3.  Use a combo of Fletch Tape & Glue.

[Jon Stewart]

As  I  wrote earlier,the  feathers folded over  in the  heat  and  they  don't  do  that  when  you use glue.

But  to  each  their  own.