Fletching question.

[HavocTec]

Was wanting to hear what king of flecthcing jigs you guys and or gals use and why? I'm shooting alum arrows with vanes and thinking about getting a jig to replace the vanes I have cut off during practice. Any pointers would be great, thanks!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Hav-

they really are quite easy to use. Almost a no brainer and are quite fun as well as you can cusomize you gear to color and ammount of spin/stability.

I use a bitenburger, I believe they are known as one of the best.

[Pooh]

i borrow Norm's not sure of the kind but i learned that after youi get all the glue off rub your shaft down with some rubbing alcohol. glue sticks better

[Deitz Dittrich]

deffinatly, when starting to fletch, the best advise is to start with a clean shaft... Any oils or anything will make it hard to keep your fletching on.

[jlm]

I have been making my own arrows for years. Its a lot of fun and gives a guy something to do those late nights prior to the big hunt when I can't sleep. Take a look at Bitzenburger and Jo-Jan, both make quality fletching tools. Don't skimp on glue either, by a fletching type glue (many use other types of glue). Questions for everyone, has anyone tried the shrink fletching? You heat it onto your arrow and it creates a perfect fletch? Kind of spendy but it seems like a great concept. Anyone use this yet and if so, what do you think?

[Royce Aardahl]

I havn't tried the shrink fletching, probably won't. I have used the arizona e z fletcher for years. Feathers or vanes and very easy to use. I use the quick set for vanes and N.A P. (I think) for feathers. It's fun making arrows and if something goes wrong I can't blame it on somebody else .

[Iceman77]

I use the Bitzenburger jig for all of my fletching these days. In years past I used many different kinds of jigs and the biggest problem I had with them were play in the fletching holders to the jig and play between the fletching and the fletching holder itself. I found that I would have arrows that at 20 yards would be 1/4" to 1/2" from the other arrows. I found that many of the fletching jigs did not hold the fletching down against the arrow shaft very well and would create a very small lip at the front and rear of the fletching, which will affect accuracy. With the Bitzenburger much of the process variation is removed as it clamps down extremely well onto the fletching and arrow. This becomes significantly more pronounced when fletching feathers as they have a lot more natural curve to them as opposed to vanes. I also found that I use a gel type super glue from Walmart that has performed better than any other fletching type glue on the market. The Bitzenburger does cost a little more but the quality is well worth it as accuracy is affected enough by using a cheaper jig for the competitions I shoot in. When I first started shooting archery my accuracy was far from being able to tell the difference in poor fletching and wouldn't have made a difference for me. At least 95% of the top pro's in the country also use a Bitzenburger due to accuracy issues and inferior quality of other jigs. Therefore, this leaves you with the quality vs. cost question.

[HavocTec]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm yet to get buy one, but know a little more now.