Just bought a dozen shafts and was wondering your opinions on a fletching jig to buy and also would like any tips for a first time fletcher.

I won't use anything but a Bitzenburger.

I second the Bitzenburger. Now all I need to do is remember who I lent it too!

I use the arizona e-z fletch and it works great. Rod

quote:

Originally posted by fredrod:
I use the arizona e-z fletch and it works great. Rod

I use this one as well. Works great!

I use a pair of Bitzenberger's, too. They work great. Jo-Jan's that friends use work great, too.

I recommend you get a good cement, that supports whatever materials you're bonding.

Also, the shafts have to be CLEAN. I had a bunch of re-fletch feathers fall off. I used a razor blade and rubbing alcohol on aluminum shafts, but they must not have been clean enough. A friend recommended cleaning with a mild abrasive. Comet works great.

Steve

Kind of Off Topic but;

You may give FOB's a try with a couple of your unfletched arrows. Pretty neat invention. You need a drop away rest though.

Use acetone on a cloth to clean your shafts if they are aluminum. When they squeek they are ready. Rubbing alchohol will leave trace amounts of contaminants, acetone will not. I started using Bohning Super Bond recently and prefer it over Fletch-tite (less dry time). Just how I do it.

Get a Jo Jan Multifletcher, best to put them together quickly. You also can't go wrong with a Bitz, just a lot slower.

Use thick super glue from the model shop or Arizona Archery Fastset gel. Many vanes made today have an accelerator for the super glue.
Use Ajax or Comet cleanser and hot water, air dry them or use a paper towel. Do not touch the shaft where you glue.
Super glue loves water, even acetone will leave something behind.
You can glue up a shaft in 5 minutes or less.
It only takes a very thin line of super glue. If you get a lot of squeeze out, you are using too much.
No way will I ever go back to Fletch Tite or regular glue unless I am doing wood arrows for my wood bow. But I haven't tried super glue with them yet, might just work although it might not stick to the lacquer they are dipped in.

got a bitz and love it. fletched my dozen plus friends. Next question is what is a good way to remove fletching and glue. Bought one of those so-called tools and is sucked. removes the fletching great but leaves a lot of glue.

I just use a knife held at an angle where it doesn't cut into the shaft. I pull it towards me and all the glue will come off.