Bohning Fletch Tape??

[msmith2]

I have been struggling trying to keep feathers on my arrows. I have used multiple different types of glues and for some reason I still keep knocking feathers off. Has anyone had good luck with the Bohning Fletch Tape?

[stujay]

Yep,I use an arrow wrap, fletch tape and dab of glue on both ends of the feather. Haven't had them come off even with hundreds of shots.

[msmith2]

That is exactly what I want to hear! Out of curiosity what glue are you using?

[Jasper2]

Same here except I don't use wraps.....love the stuff.  Seems to adhere well enough to carbon shafts and has no drying time.  Has cut my arrow building time considerably.

Take care,
Jason

[manitou1]

I have fletched lot's of arrows with it with no problem.  I have always used wraps and the same brand of feathers until this week and tried another brand of feathers.  I noticed one came loose today.  A first for me!  These new feathers have a lot of "preload" or "twist" in them and I was wondering if they would give me trouble.  I hope they work out as I made up a couple dozen arrows with them.
Otherwise, I have had very good luck with the tape.  I don't leave my archery equipment out in the heat though.

[stujay]

"What glue are you using"...I use a dab of bohning platinum fletch tite glue on the feather ends.

[msmith2]

Thanks a ton for your feedback!

[Jon Stewart]

This has been hashed over and over.  Check history on here and you will find many that don't like because the feathers will fold over or lean over when it's hot out.  Mine bent over while in the quiver and just touching each other.
Guess a personal preference.  I went back to glue a long time ago.

[Bud B.]

For a fellow with one fletching jig, fletch tape is a godsend. I'm sure it's not as permanent as fletching glue, like Fletch-Tite, but it does do well enough for quick fletching of 6-12 arrows, whereas with glue you'd have to wait between each fletch a bit.

Pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the cons for me and I live in the hot south. I am careful about leaving arrows in a hot car, just as I am with my bows.


If you search in the Pow Wow "fletch tape" you'll get lots of threads on the subject.

[jcar315]

I would be in the "love it" camp. Best tip I ever heard was to keep it in the refrigerator and don't buy any other brand besides Bohning.

[dragon rider]

I've tried every brand of glue I could find and they all suck.  I use Bohning fletching tape and have managed to rip half the fletch off an arrow with a stupid shot, but the taped on piece is still there.

As jcar315 says, keep it cold when you're not using it; it'll last longer.  I keep mine in the freezer, but the refrigerator might be a bit faster - mine has to thaw for a few minutes before I can get started.

When you're finished with the taping, take an arrow shaft and roll the lead point of the quill flat (so those nasty little points don't stab your hand), put a drop of any decent brand of gel super glue on each end, let that set up over night and you'll lose or break the arrow before the feather comes off.

[Flying Dutchman]

This item has been here over and over. Some like the tape, some others don't. Make sure you clean the shaft properly before you fletch and be sure you have fresh tape or stored it well.
I have no problems with tape or glue.
As glue I use Saunders NPV and that works great for me.

[rick7]

it works great for me

[MCNSC]

I am one that has always had problems with the fletch tape. In one of the last threads about this subject someone said not to use household alcohol to clean the shafts. That is what I have always used, so that may be the problem I have always had with the tape. I will give the tape a try again with a different cleaner.

[macksdad]

I clean my shafts with brake cleaner spray it on a good quality paper towell and wipe the shaft and let it dry . Be careful brake cleaner is tough stuff and will eat paint off of about anything but It will remove all the oil and dirt so you will get good adhesion with your tape. Brake cleaner is an aerosol and is available at any auto parts supply. Be sure to apply some pressure by running your finger along the fletch after it has been placed on the shaft this also greatly helps adhesion . I then place a small dot of DUCO on the lead end of the fletch to help also.

[alligatordond]

Here's what you do to get the best of both worlds. I am able to fully fletch 6 arrows with a single jig in less than an hour this way:

Use the Bohning tape AND a compatible glue
Completely fletch an arrow with tape only
Then add glue to both ends AND....
Run a bead all the way down the quill side of the feather.
I actually run a bead down both sides. Looks like alot
but shrinks down significantly.

Some scoff at this technique saying " I might as well just glue"
But this will save considerable time over glue only but is just as solid.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Or just set the jig beside your easy chair and flip it once in a while while you are watching TV.

Good glue and 15 minutes a feather won't let you down.  Tape might.

[Flying Dutchman]

I clean my shafts and the base of the feathers with 96% alcohol. I drink Scotch of 35% alcohol. Never had any problems with fletch tape as long as I don't exchange the bottles...  

[Chuck from Texas]

I have been using it ten years with no problems.