backwoodsbowhunter Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I like fletching my own arrows but for some reason i apparently can't do it correctly. They're constantly coming off so I decided to start using quick fletch vanes (the ones you put in boiling water) and nearly every time I shoot they crack and come off. Can someone please let me know what I'm doing wrong? Any tips are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 How long are you boiling them for? Are you also putting a small bead of glue around the end of the 'wrap' that is closest to the broadhead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 i've used the NAP Quick Fletch... dip it down in slow (3 seconds) and then hold it under for 10 seconds. them turning brittle is a problem that i've heard of though. i think you simply want to melt the glue only and if you leave them under longer too you may have that problem. For fletching your own arrows make sure the shafts are cleaned well and then don't touch the shafts where you're fletching. oils from your hands will effect the bonding. Bohning Fletchtite Platinum Cabela's: Bohning Fletch-Tite Platinum works well to put the fletches on. once they set go back and put a dot on each leading end of the vanes or fletches using Goat-tuff GT Impact Goat Tuff Archery Products | Arrow Vanes, Fletching, High Performance Glues, Arrow Shaft Cleaner, Release Aid . Haven't had a fletch come off yet unless I shave it off with the second arrow shooting broadheads (which I refrain from doing now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 what sort of rest do you have on your bow? I know if you use a helical, it doesn't do well if you're shooting through a Whisker Biscuit. If you're shooting through a WB, maybe change your rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Ive seen it time and again with a WB. I wont shoot one. I know they work and people love them but im sticking with a fall away. As far as fletching, use Superglue Gel when fletching. Its cheaper and holds better than fletch glues. Also, after you fletch the arrows and give them a few minutes to dry I also put a decent sized drop at the end of the fletching (at the skinny end). It keeps the vane from lifting during flight, hitting targets, etc. Ive had vanes warp up and not come off. Also, make sure you are using a farily heavy vane and that your fletching tool is making good contact and pressure with the arrow shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 The Whisker Biscuit question is a good one. They are tough on fletchings. Blazers seem to last longer through a WB. If you heat shrink tubing too long it gets brittle. It keeps trying to shrink as long as it is heated. Heat it too long and it will begin to pull itself apart. Good wraps make gluing fletchings on carbon arrows much easier. Carbon arrows actually have a mold release on them from the manufacturing process. This mold release interferes with several adhesives. The adhesive on wraps usually overcomes the effects of the mold release. Just make sure you roll the arrows on something hard after wrapping them. This insures you've broken the microspheres in the wrap adhesive that cause a full cure. The adhesive on wraps takes about 24hrs for a full cure on average. I like using Loctite Super Glue Gel for fletchings. I spread it on the base of the fletching with a toothpick. You really don't want a bead of glue on the base, just a thin coat enough to wet it. Too much glue makes a weaker bond not a stronger one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I never used boiling water with the Extreme shrink fletchings I used. Don't know if maybe yours are getting too hot, but it could be a possibility. I actually ran the water through the coffee maker and that seemed to be the perfect temperature for the Extreme's to shrink down. They actually held up way better through my biscuit than regular fletchings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwoodsbowhunter Posted December 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I think I've been heating them up too long and they are shrinking to much and when the arrow has impact it simply causes it to crack. I'm using a fall away rest I shied away from the WB. After shooting to long with it the "whiskers" wear down and cause flight problems. I'll try all the tips you guys have mentioned. They're all very helpful to me because I wanna open up my own bow shop someday! Thanks guys it's greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 hang around a bow shop and then check out stuff like TBones blog... T-Bone Blog | Realtree ® I've picked up a press and other stuff to work on my own bows. it's definitely a fun to work on the stuff yourself and tinker. need to read up on things though. don't want a bow to blow up on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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