Custom Arrows?


backwoods07

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I'm lookin to get a dozen brand spankin new Easton Epics. I really am a huge fan of custom arrows, but don't have the know how, the time, the patience, or the equipment to do them myself. Does anyone know of a website or archery shop that does a good job?

I've seen a few pics of arrows that you guys have made in the past and I'm impressed! Anyone up for a little side job?? :)

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You forgot to list patience and time!! :)

I really would love to get in to it someday, but I don't think that it's in my near future. 60 hour work weeks tend to put a damper on leisure time activities...

You know what? It really doesn't take that much time. I stripped the old fletching, put on new wraps, and refletched 3 arrows for my daughter the other night and it took me less than 20 minutes.

Here is how easy it is.

Also here is a great way to customize your arrows. http://www.onestringer.com/index.php?page=mods/Products/index

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I usually do mine after ive tucked the wife and kids in bed on the weekends. I can kick out a dozen in no time.... I really like that I can fletch an arrow quick fast and in a hurry if I have troubles too.

If youre really just wanting some custom arrows look on ebay. There is a ton of customs on there at good prices.

And as for fletching I prefer superglue gel over the actual fletching glue. It is MUCH cleaner and dries super fast. ;)

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I have done some for people in the past. But with the cost of shipping now, your better off putting that money into a fletching jig. Like the others have said, its so easy, a caveman can do it! LOL! ;)

I also agree on the super glue. Been using the Gorilla brand super glue, not the original stuff either. This is the super glue.

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I have done some for people in the past. But with the cost of shipping now, your better off putting that money into a fletching jig.

Me too on this.. I have done a bunch for other people and still do them locally for friends. I'm old school though and use the Bitzenberger and I can only do 1 arrow per hour (20 min per fletch). I have been tempted to buy another fletching jig that does all three at once, but wasn't sure how good of a bond on would have on the whole spine of the feather...

Plus if you do start fletching your own, buy right wing or straight helical fletches only... I find that left helical loosen my field points easily unless I have a chemical bond of some sort, and then after being shot a lot, sometimes they still work loose anyways...

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I have been tempted to buy another fletching jig that does all three at once, but wasn't sure how good of a bond on would have on the whole spine of the feather...

I use the Arizona EZ Fletch and it actually works good. Its a pretty basic but good design.

Again, I would use superglue gel. It makes the process WAY easier. I can put on all three, let it set for a minute or two and then pull it off...

The main thing is the keep the jig clean. Glue builds up and occasionally you have to clean it off. Do that and it does a great job.

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I think toddyboman has it listed perfect for you. I do my own arrows and wonder why I paid someone to do it for me for so long. If it saves money and gives you awesome arrows, I would find time to do them.

I heard that. I sit up on Friday or Saturday nights, watch tv, and fletch away. Very little mess (except when stripping arrows) and its pretty fun. You can make some really cool arrows too.

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Me too on this.. I have done a bunch for other people and still do them locally for friends. I'm old school though and use the Bitzenberger and I can only do 1 arrow per hour (20 min per fletch). I have been tempted to buy another fletching jig that does all three at once, but wasn't sure how good of a bond on would have on the whole spine of the feather... ...

You have to note that Swampy is using REAL feathers. They must take longer. I use a Bitz as well and I can turn out one arrow in 5 minutes when fletching Blazers.

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You have to note that Swampy is using REAL feathers. They must take longer. I use a Bitz as well and I can turn out one arrow in 5 minutes when fletching Blazers.

Im betting it wouldnt take much more time if you use the superglue gel. That stuff dries so fast. If the spine is pretty clean im betting it would work just as well. They are nice little jigs.

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You have to note that Swampy is using REAL feathers. They must take longer. I use a Bitz as well and I can turn out one arrow in 5 minutes when fletching Blazers.

Yep, think about 5 minute an arrow is about right here too.

Whether you want customs or just need repairs, it is well worth the little investment to buy a jig and the vanes you want and being able to do your own.

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What can I expect on my first couple arrows? Is it fool proof or is there a learning curve?

Pretty simple really. Depending on the jig you get it may be more simple. Use a bitz here, meaning one vane at a time, some jigs like the arizona easy fletch will place all three at the same time. Bitz comes with pretty easy to follow instructions. Tried the ez fletch here and it would not consistently place my vanes on the small diameter shafts I was using, so I sent it back to cabelas and exchanged for a bitz and have not looked back.

Wraps, believe Luke(VermontHunter) posted a good instructional on putting them on in the bowhunting room a few years ago. They are really simple too. Will try to search and see if I can find that thread.

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Pretty simple really. Depending on the jig you get it may be more simple. Use a bitz here, meaning one vane at a time, some jigs like the arizona easy fletch will place all three at the same time. Bitz comes with pretty easy to follow instructions.

Wraps, believe Luke(VermontHunter) posted a good instructional on putting them on in the bowhunting room a few years ago. They are really simple too. Will try to search and see if I can find that thread.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Before I started fletching I had never seen it done. So I bought a Bitz jig and I used the YouTube video from my earlier post and it was, JUST THAT EASY!

Good luck and be sure to post some pics of your first batch.

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Well, everything's coming together. Got my dozen Easton ST Epic shafts ordered ($75), my Onestringer custom arrow wraps (http://www.onestringer.com/index.php?page=mods/Products/search&sstring=anthony%20valcarcel, $17), and my vanes bought (white and black).

The next step is getting them together! Pics to come hopefully in the next 10 days or so.

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