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Topic Archives => How To - Resources => Topic started by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 07:59:00 AM

Title: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 07:59:00 AM
fletching up a carbon with bohning fletch tape.  the vid is 8.5 minutes long.  the fletcher is a nifty new grayling i just got from tim @ braveheart archery, w/full helical left wing clamp.  the 5.25" fletches are cut from full length feathers and will be burned to shape in another vid i'll be adding to this thread.

observations - i clean the shaft and quill bases with naphtha (lighter fluid) on a piece of paper towel. i cut the front and end of each feather fletch at an angle, to best make the quill base flow into the shaft.  after fletching the shaft, i snip off the ends of the fletches, to better fit into the young feather burner.  

click on the image below to kick off the 16meg mp4 video ... soundtrack courtesy of occasional female frivolity.      :)    

 (http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/6o8KKUxhIbQ/mqdefault.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o8KKUxhIbQ)
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: xia_emperor on February 21, 2011, 08:22:00 AM
thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: raghorns on February 21, 2011, 09:07:00 AM
I've been wondering how the tape thing works...you have obviously fletched a few arrows...great video...you inspired me to give it a try. Thanks
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: sawtoothscream on February 21, 2011, 09:34:00 AM
what fletching jig is that and how much?  thanks
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: sawtoothscream on February 21, 2011, 09:39:00 AM
never mind just saw you mentioned it. duh
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 06:19:00 PM
feather burning - after bending the burn ribbon to shape, slip into the 'lectrode holders, put a bare shaft into the burner nock receiver and arm, adjust the ribbon so it's about 1/16" or a bit more away from the shaft.  lock down the ribbon and test it again with the bare shaft.  

put a feathered shaft into the shaft holder and adjust so that the ribbon will burn evenly at both ends of the feather.  this all about trialing and testing.  

click on the pic to run the short vid ...

 (http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/JAdradTtz6o/mqdefault.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAdradTtz6o)
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Dave Bowers on February 21, 2011, 06:43:00 PM
Thanks for the video   :clapper:
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: 30pointbuck on February 21, 2011, 06:45:00 PM
Thats great Rob i want to do my own.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: kennyb on February 21, 2011, 07:08:00 PM
Rob-that was great! Thanks for sharing your talent of making your own arrows. A question I have is left or right helical? I shoot right handed, which should I use? I really want to do my own arrows this year. Thanks again.
Kenny   :help:
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: 1oldbowguy on February 21, 2011, 07:12:00 PM
:thumbsup:  Thanks, very helpful for sure.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 07:17:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by kennyb:
...A question I have is left or right helical? I shoot right handed, which should I use?...
left or right, it doesn't matter at all as long as any one arrow is fletched with all the same wing.

make arrows, have fun!
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: LONGSTYKES on February 21, 2011, 07:46:00 PM
Thanks Rob, very informative. I think I'll give it a try.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: bkyrdshooter on February 21, 2011, 08:11:00 PM
Are you wiping the base of the feathers with a cloth only or are you using alcohol on them? I have never used tape and didn't know if you were just wiping them off or do you need to clean them.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 08:14:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by bkyrdshooter:
Are you wiping the base of the feathers with a cloth only or are you using alcohol on them? I have never used tape and didn't know if you were just wiping them off or do you need to clean them.
as i said in my very first post on this thread ...

"i clean the shaft and quill bases with naphtha (lighter fluid) on a piece of paper towel."
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: kennyb on February 21, 2011, 08:19:00 PM
Thanks Rob...you've been a big help!
Kenny
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: SuperK on February 21, 2011, 08:29:00 PM
Would denatured alcohol work for cleaning the shaft and feather quill?  I'm thinking the problems I had a while back when using fletch tape was because I didn't clean the quill of the feather.  Thanks for a great video.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 08:31:00 PM
alky is fine, too.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: sawtoothscream on February 21, 2011, 09:33:00 PM
so does this really save money down the road or is it just to say you did it and enjoy it and can mess around with different vane styles?

is it cheaper buying full length feathers in bulk?

thanks
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: rdoggsilva on February 21, 2011, 09:37:00 PM
Thanks for the videos, I learned something. Now to give it a try.
Title: Re: making arrows videos - using fletch tape, burning feathers
Post by: Rob DiStefano on February 21, 2011, 10:36:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by sawtoothscream:
so does this really save money down the road or is it just to say you did it and enjoy it and can mess around with different vane styles?

is it cheaper buying full length feathers in bulk?

thanks
there are basically two camps - those who have a need to build and shoot their own arrows to shoot, and those who just need arrows to shoot.  if you need to ask what camp you belong in, yer probably better off buying ready-to-shoot arrows.    

as to 'what does it cost to build arrows?', do the math - what it costs for raw shafts, the minimal tools and finishing materials, the feathers or fletches, points and nocks ... yes, buying in bulk makes it all cheaper ... and then, how many arrows will you need for the rest of your archery/bowhunting life?  now compare all of that against a set of store-bought ready-to-shoot arrows.
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