Fletching
While some people like the challenge of attaching fletching to the arrows by
hand I much rather use a jig to orient and hold the feathers while the glue
sets. The fletching jig lets me do feathers like a human rather than
wishing I was a four armed monkey. Results with a jig will be accurate,
repeatable, and clean.
The most popular fletching jig is the Bitzenburger. It's very high quality
and is considered to be the best available. Unfortunately, the blasted
thing costs about $68. When I purchased my jigs I just couldn't justify
that kind of money and got Vador jigs for $28 each. I have a Bitzenburger
now that I got in a trade but I haven't bothered to use it yet as the others
work just fine. Other jigs available include the Martin for $33, and the
BPE for $47.
When setting up the jig you'll want to choose between four fletch and three
fletch. A four fletch arrangement will stabilize your arrows faster but
will also slow them down with the added drag. This may not be noticeable at
short shoots but can be at longer distances. Some people like four fletch
because they don't have to be concerned with how the arrow is oriented on
the string, there is no "right or wrong," especially during a speed round.
To my mind, this doesn't make any difference because I use the index on the
nock to orient my arrows and don't have to look at the arrow at all.
Additionally, if a three fletched arrow is inadvertently nocked "backwards"
it is very unlikely that you'll see any difference in the shot, or accuracy
in general. In face, some bows shoot better with the cock feather in
towards the bow. Yes, your suspicions are correct, I like three fletch
better. However, that's the nice thing about custom arrows: they're made
the way you want them.
When you get a jig be sure to read and follow the directions for how to use
it. If you don't you could end up with some interesting feather
orientations. Once you have things figured out it will become second
nature. Before getting a jig decide what wing feathers you wish to use and
get the jig with the corresponding clamp.
I like to use Duco glue for fletching. It's cheap, easily available to me,
and works great with the finish I use. Other finishes may require different
glues so be sure you test your combinations before committing a dozen new
arrows to them. Fletching tape is popular with some people. It's a very
thin and narrow two-sided tape made specifically for arrows. Because you
don't have to wait for glue to set, tape can be very fast to use.
Cyanoacrylate glue is pretty popular in some circles. CA glue is available
in different viscosities and brands so be sure to test. Hot Stuff is a
brand that seems to be the most used in archery. CA glue is high quality
"super glue" so watch your fingers.
Pretty similar design but the Bitz is made of metal and the others
are plastic. I prefer the plastic ones but the Bitz is supposed to be the cream of the crop.
Once everything is adjusted properly the fletching is placed in the clamp
and glue is applied to the base. Put the clamp on the jig and make sure it's all good.
Wait for the glue to set before going to the next. I use a
timer set to 9 minutes. The glue isn't cured enough to shoot but it is
enough for me to take the clamp off and go to the next feather.
