Fletching Jig Question

[snowplow]

Hey guys, I have a BME fletching jig. I like it for the most part as it is super adjustable. I dont like the feather clamp. It seems like once there's glue on it its pretty hard to get off unless you cut it off which eats at the surface. Also or some reason it seems mine puts a small kink or irregular spot in the feathers most of the time.

Anyway, I figured I'd just get a Bitzenburger at some point but then saw that Bass Pro Shops sell just the clamp.

Have any of you used one of those clamps on another jig?

Seems like it might have a good chance of working.

[Wallydog]

An old gunsmith trick is to use paste wax on a part you dont want glue to stick onto. Just put on paste wax but do not rub it off. Leaves that hazy sheen but glue hates it.

[the rifleman]

I covered my plastic clamp w aluminum tape and this kept glue from sticking to it  you can also rub bow wax or spray Pam on the clamp

[LBR]

That and I think 3 Rivers still sells a tape to solve this problem.

I haven't tried a Bitz clamp on a different jig.

[McDave]

You might want to try a Martin J8 fletching jig.  The glue doesn't stick as much as on some others.  Platinum just flakes off (I know, just like it does on some arrow shafts....).  The Bitz clamp will fit on the Martin J8, but I don't know about your jig.  In the pictures, it looks like the Bitz clamp will work.  However, for about the price of a Bitz clamp you could get the whole Martin J8 fletching jig.

[M60gunner]

I use the alum tape on my Blitz jigs and my Jo-Jan's as well.
Teflon tape works also, used that in past as well.
Is there a store that sells jigs even Cabela's has them. Maybe you could take your jig and try the clamp in the store before buying?

[snowplow]

Good to know guys thanks! The platinum isn't bad and was what I was using first. Then I tried Easton Quickbond (I think) one of the thin superglue types. It being so runny and me not being as familiar with the less consistent bases of feathers vs vanes I made a mess. Its the superglue stuff that doesn't come off well and when you try to scrape it off with a knife the jig usually just gets scraped up because the plastic gives way instead of the glue (soft and thin). I'll remember that about the wax! I got a big can right on the shelf.

[Shakes.602]

You cant go wrong with a Bitz Fletcher, and I Swear by Saunders NPV Fletch Glue!!

[slowbowjoe]

Fletching tape comes off a clamp quite easily  (I know, I know…).