Main Discussion Area > Arrows
New to arrow making, Tricks for fletching?
Shooter_G22:
i agree with Pat,
the 3/8" dowel shaft from home depot is way to thick or wide of a diameter for a short arrow of 24"... and if your draw is a 24" draw then you should cut arrow length up to a min of 25 1/2" but would probably do better with a 26" arrow... i have used the 5/16" oak dowels for arrows with great success and have had them turn out a good accurate set... in fact all the boys form the youth group are using just that... and the 5/16" oak dowel from lowes make great arrows... of coarse they are bieng shot from 35# f/g long bows but are actually a short bow of about 56 -58 inch in lenght...
as for feathers... there are alot of places you can get some feathers... you can hunt for them locally around pounds and anywhere you see birds flock to... but if you want to buy some feathers any good sports store will have some... if you have a cabela's or bass proshop near you they carry some pre-cut fletchings... or a academy sports store or a sports athority should carry some too... if your looking for some natural type feathers you can find them at hobby stores or anywhere they sell fly fishing rig supplies... kinda expensive to go that rout but not bad way to try and get some locally for just a few arrows...
im sure if you have no luck im sure somebody on here would be willing to send you some... jsut enough to make a few arrows shouldnt be a problem to get somebody here to help out with that to a new arrow builder...
but if i were you id definantly try useing the 5/16" dowel instead of the 3/8" are you cuting self nocks or are you using plastic nocks.. what type of tips you using???
i have used and tought the boys how to make fletchings out of duct tape to for an improvised survival or field arrow... pretty cool to be able to make something out of hardly nothing huh????
but if i were you, id try some feathers out... i guaranty you will like them better...lol..
if you cant find some feathers to use or buy some let us know im sure somebody might offer to send you a few...
but waht ever you do... make sure you keep building em and shooting them... and have fun!!!!
Timo:
Seen a deal on PP where a guy took a smal round piece of cardboard,with a hole a lil smaller than the arrow,from the hole out,he cut 3 slots in accordance to feather placement.Push the cardboard ring over the shaft,push the front quills of your feathers into it. It will hold them in place while you glue/tie them on. Perty slick idea.
Hillbilly:
--- Quote from: Timo on March 18, 2009, 08:14:22 am ---Seen a deal on PP where a guy took a smal round piece of cardboard,with a hole a lil smaller than the arrow,from the hole out,he cut 3 slots in accordance to feather placement.Push the cardboard ring over the shaft,push the front quills of your feathers into it. It will hold them in place while you glue/tie them on. Perty slick idea.
--- End quote ---
That's pretty similar to the way I do it.
Colt45:
Oh wow... So simple yet very genius :D
Fletcher the Arrow Maker:
I know that arrows were made by hand for eons. They flew relativrly stright and killed man and beast on every continent beofre written history and much has been written since.
However - I also know that if they would have been able to make or trade for fletching jigs, they would have used them !
I have made many arrows many ways, but you cannot beat a good jig. And if you are going to make a variety or a number of arrows - Bitzenburger is the King of the Fletching Jigs. I even start my free floated primitives with just a drop of glue on each end of the feather and hold them in place in a Bitz to dry. Then the time to wrap the rest of the way is greatly reduced and the fletching is straight and true.
I can still use all hand tools and hand made points - but only if the rules of engagement dictate that.
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