Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: ionicmuffin on December 23, 2012, 07:27:01 pm
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So i have been hand fletching arrows with superglue and got really frustrated because the flecthing was moving around and getting my hands stuck to either feather or shaft, but not the fletching to shaft. So i finally had the last straw and got a bunch of rubber bands and tied them up. Looks like it is a plausible option for those without a fletching jig
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muffin did you try the primitive fletching jig post top of the page?
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yup. I think its harder to use with superglue, not as much with a wrapping. just my thoughts, great tool looks like.
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..but what are those feathers going to look like when you unwrap 'em ??
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get some fletching tape, stuff work's awsome, Bub
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i second the fletching tape.good stuff.
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do one of the sponsors for this website sell it?
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alright, here are my finished fletchings
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I always use superglue for my fletchings, but I use it with a wooden fletching jig that I made, based on a Richard Head style contraption. Works a treat, and doesn't get glue on your hands!
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three rivers has it, most archery shops as well, Bub
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I use contact cement. Works pretty good. Apply a bead to the fletching, set it in place where you want it, to transfer some cement to the shaft then remove and let sit for 10 min.Carefuly reposition on shaft and presto... done.
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To use superglue and freehand fletching, I always tack down the back end of the fletch with a tiny dab. Then I go to the front of the fletch, pull it tight, add a bit of off-set, and another dab to the front. Once I have all three fletches where I want them, I go back and lift the quill off the shaft and run a bead of glue along that. If you stretched it properly when tacking it will snap down against the shaft and sit nicely.
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two things:
#1 Looks like your self nocks go with the grain. You need to go across the grain and wrap for strength.
#2 I have a used sinlge Jo Jan jig with two clamps, straight and left wing helical I will sell you for $30.00 mailed if you are interested.
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ionicmuffin,
Take JEB's advice and his JoJan fletcher. I use the same one and it works just fine. I just did 15 arrows today and I used the fletching tape too. If you just want to try the tape I'll send you a roll and see what you think. PM me your address and it will be in mail tomorrow...........
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two things:
#1 Looks like your self nocks go with the grain. You need to go across the grain and wrap for strength.
x2
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the reason why the grain runs parallel is that i put the feather on the wrong way, so i redid the nocks and went with it. It works, not hunting arrows so im not worried.
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wrap the nocks to be safe muffman, Bub
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#1 Looks like your self nocks go with the grain. You need to go across the grain and wrap for strength.
Looks like you have nocks going both ways on those arrows. The nocks should go the same direction as the annual rings. If you go 90 degrees (or perpendicular) to the annual growth rings, you are following the natural "split" line of any wood thereby making it easier for the arrow to split along the whole length (if the grain is straight). I wrap the nocks on all but especially wrap the nocks good on those of yours that are perpendicular to the growth rings.
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Yeah i realized that after i glued on the red feathers(index feathers) on the wrong way, so i cut the nocks shorter and redid them
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I use supeglue for all my fletchings. When I'm doing a 3 fletch I use a jig. I make sure the fletching is going to line up properly to the shaft then I run a light bead of superglue down the vain. I also us chapstick to coat my jig clamp so it doesn't stick together or sticks the fletching to the jig. Any wax would work. I press it on the shaft, count to 12 and unclamp the jig clamp. If any of the fletching is not stuck to the shaft, I use an ice pick/awl to press it down.
Most of the time I do my version of a Cherokee 2 fletch. I don't tuck the tab end/tip of the feather under and wrap it. I seem to break the quill when I do that. Instead I wrap it laying flat toward the nock. Wrapping is wrapping whether is under the fletch or laying between the fletching and the nock. Since I always wrap to my nock anyhow, why not do it this way. I use the ice pick to keep the tip of the fletching in place while the superglue hardends. The I set the but end of the quill where I want it. Mark it with a sharpie, dab some super glue to the inside of the mark do where the quill will lay against the shaft and press the quill to the shaft using the ice pick.
The point of ice pick has very little surface area for the glue to stick to and I wax it wit chap stick.