Fletching Question

Weeks Man

Hello All!

Well, I am new, sort of, to the sport of bowhunting. I bowhunted some in my younger years, but have recently decided to re-visit it and am growing quite fond of it.

I recently purchased a 2008 Bowtech General (new) with a QAD drop away rest, Cobra Boomslang sight, Easton ST Excel 400 Carbon Arrows with 2" Blazer vanes. I must say, the equipment nowdays is far more advanced than when I bowhunted back in high school, making me a better shot (at least in my book).

On to my question... I have several arrows that need to be re-fletched and am considering doing it myself. However, I am having a hard time determining my fletching configuration. I am sure that they are not straight vanes, but am sure that they are either a left offset configuration or a left helical. I don't think they are left helical. Can anyone tell me for sure whithout seeing one of my arrows? Do blazer vanes even come helical? Sorry if this is a silly question, as mentioned above, I am just now getting back into all of this.

By the way... do any of you fletch your own arrows? Any suggestions? I was looking at the Bohning Fletching Jig... any experience with that?

Thanks for your help.

Weeks Man

I know that in the "olden days"[;)], all arrows had a left helical twist due to the turkey feathers natural lay. In my present set up I a using bi-delta vanes with a left helical twist. I have been told that, as I am a right handed shooter, I should switch to a right helical.

Any truth to that, or am I just getting the hot air treatment. As of right now I am consistently printing tight fist sized groups out to 40 yards.[?]

shoff14

As for your first question, I think it would be hard to tell without seeing them. Secondly, it would be hard to match up the new fletching with the old one unless you already had the jig set up. Your best bet is to refletch the whole arrow. Thirdly, get 5 spot targets so you won't be ripping fletchings off. [:D]

I fletch all my arrows. I have a Bohning jig, it gets the job done. I also have a Cabela's fletching jig, which I like better but its not as adjustable. There are several jigs on the market similar to the Bohning jig, all will get the job done. Mount them to a bench, or a block of wood like I did and fletch away.

For fletching vanes, I use AAE fast fletch glue, its basically super glue. For feathers, I using Bohning's fletching glue, which takes longer to dry which allows the feather base to get seated better.

For gluing inserts into carbon shafts I use a 2 part epoxy. For aluminum arrows I used hot melt glue.

grizzclaw

Re do all the vanes. I use an Arizona easy fletch.

Weeks Man

Thanks for your responses and advice. I will have to take the advice about the target under consideration... you may have something there.

I am pretty sure my current configuration is offset left, not sure how many degrees of offset. If I were to re-flectch my arrows, would I need a straight clamp if I wanted to do the same offset configuration with 2" Blazers? How much difference is there between offset and helical with the blazers? Pro's / Con's?

I also saw last night where Bohning is now offering a new Blazer Helix Fletching Jig to obtain a more helical configuration with these vanes. Once again, any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

shoff14

Theres several people on here that shoot blazers. I personally don't, so I don't know the best configuration. Being that its holiday time, most only post during work weeks. [:D][:0]

The straight clamp will do offset configurations, you just have to use the markings on the fletcher and a little math to figure out the degree, you won't get exact, but it will be pretty darn close. If you want to do helical, you will need to get the helical clamp also.

crowbeaner

I looked at all the fletching tools and asked questions about them all. The Bitzenburger is the most recommended one, but at $70 a whack, I ordered the Grayling that looks and works just like the BB but at 1/3 the price. Feebay will have the best deals on jigs and vanes, and I plan on doing all 3 fletches; I've already stripped and cleaned my arrows, and am just waiting for the jig to arrive. Around here people charge $3 to $4 apiece to refletch, and I figure if I can cast bullets and reload anything except 22 rimfires, I ought to be able to glue on 60 vanes.

Horney toad

quote:Originally posted by grizzclaw
Re do all the vanes. I use an Arizona easy fletch.


I have used the Arizona easy fletch for years with good luck.

3dhunter

I usually go with quality over anything else these days, but since you've already made your decision, the best I can say is to clean your shaft again before you use them, clean and 'air' dry.

buckeyboy

quote:Originally posted by Horney toad
quote:Originally posted by grizzclaw
Re do all the vanes. I use an Arizona easy fletch.


I have used the Arizona easy fletch for years with good luck.
Me too very easy and never had any problems[;)]