Fletching Arrows for Beginners | Helping a new Archer Fletch Arrows for the First Time
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.พ. 2021
- Fletching your own arrows even as a new archer can be both easy and very rewarding. I show someone who has never fletched arrows before how to clutch arrows and do it well.
Link to Arrow Building for Beginners playlist:
• How to Cut Arrows for ...
Links to products used in this video:**
AAE Trad Vanes: amzn.to/3uhJKxD
AAE Max Wipes: amzn.to/3pFti74
AAE Max Bond: amzn.to/3seMw58
Bitzenburger Jig: amzn.to/3pDFRPZ
Bohning Tower Jig: amzn.to/2Ma5kmv
Bitz knockoff (cheap jig): amzn.to/3pKq8i5
Vane Master Pro: amzn.to/3qGRZkx
AAE Fletching Jig: amzn.to/37BdVpP
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Funny how Jake doesn't mind "hideous" arrows but will absolutely scrutinize a riser for machining and finish flaws. Love the videos Jake, thanks so much.
I've been an on & off recreational trad shooter since 1965 and seem to forget some details of fine tuning. Last time I was on a range was 2008 and now realize I need a new lighter weight bow to shoot more comfortably. So, new arrows to match. I build my own and your videos help refresh my memory a lot. Thank you for making these presentations.
Having her there to ask newbie questions is GREAT. Cause I have newbie questions as well and she covered a bunch of them. It's interesting how so many of us new to the sport have the same questions.
Great video. In the beginning, I did try that 3 at a time tower. I didn't like it. The Bitzenburger jig, on the other hand, while the setup to do a helical fetch, is challenging; once setup is completed, it is a breeze to use. Go for it!
...And yes, it is cool looking at a dozen or more finished arrows 🏹 laid out on the table top 😎
I love when she is in the video with you!
I like that she is new to this and can ask questions in real time. I end up having some of the same questions myself.
Thank you both for all of the videos you have. Definitely a big help on my journey.
Again thank you both!!
Your wife doing a wonderful job good to learn
Jake shows up at the match and all the locals go "oh crap". Jake signs in as bare bow, a relieved sigh echos through the room.
WOW!! Your wife is awesome! You are hitting her with so much information and she just roles!
I have a Boehing pro-class jig. After I watched this, I rigged it with an improvised arrow retainer like the one on your Bitzenburger "millionaire's jig". I used a plastic cap from an el-cheapo aftershave bottle, and an elastic shoelace (an accidental purchase half a decade ago - who knew such things even existed?).
I drilled a 3mm hole in the cap, and another about 1/8th inch below the arrow rest on the jig, then joined the cap to the jig with the shoelace, through the holes. It took all of 10 minutes, and has made my fletching life a whole lot less risky.
Thanks for the inspiration 👍😊 Loving Heather's work on here💖 Great work, both of you 👍
Jake, I really don’t have more than a passing interest in competition archery, but I think your channel is awesome. You have a very matter of fact way of explaining technical aspects of archery and tuning. Love geeking out over this stuff.👍
Cheers.
I have old jojann single fletching jig that had served me well for 40 years. I shoot right hand and have left helical.
Great info....you guys make a great couple 👍🏻
Thank you guys for these intro instructional videos much appreciated and needed!!
Absolutely perfect timing! I am getting materials to start fletching,and now i got a perfect guide!
Glad to be here for you.
i realize I'm kind of randomly asking but do anybody know a good site to stream newly released movies online?
@Jacob Javion I use Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)
@Harper Ty definitely, have been using flixzone for years myself :D
@Harper Ty Thanks, I went there and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I really appreciate it !!
OMG you're so lucky to have Heather and each other. You both make great team and videos. I just picked up my first recurve. Issue I have is... not enough land to get further away from my target. I'll have to visit a range.
I enjoy watching the two of you together.
Great video. I'm very new to archery and loving this channel. Learning a lot.
After too many decades of fletching shafts (wood, fiberglass, aluminum, carbon) since 1953 it was interesting to discover fletch tape (I think Bohning is best) over three decades or so ago. As a manner of insurance each fletch gets a tiny drop of glue (Duco or most any quality CYA water thin glue, I like Hot Stuff) at the fletch ends. I use tape for feathers, soft vanes, and mylar vanes on carbon and aluminum shafts, and feathers only for the woodies that are required in the Longbow division. If taping is as properly applied as with gluing, taped feathers and vanes can take a heckuva beating and will last longer than the shaft. I can fletch an arrow and within a few minutes of fletching begin shooting. Easy to remove with no need for sharp tools. I've hunted with taped feathers on wood and carbon shafts for arrows used with longbows in the Southeast in all manner of weather and never an issue, even complete arrow pass threws on hogs. I even lost a carbon with taped on feather fletchings down in Georgia and found it a year later - the fletchings barbs were mostly gone by the bugs but their bases were there and still well held on. I just taped WAV PRO feathers on carbons for a Traditional division wood riser recurve, shooting off a rug shelf, that were easy to tune and achieve excellent consistent flight. SO, just as with tape fletching Spin Wings and their ilk, one might wanna give fletch tape a go with soft vanes, too. i.imgur.com/LAdV7x4.jpg i.imgur.com/3nlljis.jpg
At 72 years old I decided to take up archery….I already do competitive handgun competition (IDPA), scuba diving, skydiving coaching and competition, etc. so archery just seems to fit into my lifestyle. I joined the local bowman club and at my Florida home I’ll be joining the Fort Lauderdale archery club as well. I’m a firm believer in gettin professional instruction from day one so I don’t develop bad habits I need to break later….I’ve spent hours watching your videos and have to say you’re a great instructor and explain details very well….I’m starting to build arrows (just purchased your vanes). Keep up the good work!!! PS. I’m a patreon of your site and was trying to upgrade my membership. I can’t seem to find a way to do that…any info on how to upgrade. Thanks again, Greg Gallaher.
i just watched your skydiving videos... you 70 year olds amaze me ... youre the peak "old guy" i want to become
@@blackriflex39 Thanks….72 now and still jumping….I’ll be posting more videos when the weathers better here in NJ. Our winter Puerto Rico Boogie may be cancelled. Fortunately I don’t have aches and pains like a lot of my friends….My creed is never stop enjoying life and STAY ACTIVE! Merry Christmas.
I love this guy. Always has GREAT information. However, I gotta say that if I'm gonna drop $400 for fletching jig, then I better darn well be an Olympian like Jake. Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to stick with the Bitz and all the struggles that come with it!
Good luck to both of you at the indoor shoot. Get my arrows at my local shop but really enjoying your beginner series.
Excellent video for learners, like me. I have just finished my first arrows on my bitzenburger, and it was great to make something by myself!
I am new to Archery, 66 years old, and should have started many years ago. But I have enjoyed all your videos and loving it.👌💪
This is really good content, your wife is very smart and I appreciate in put it has helped me out a bunch
Really great video that contains a lot of information and wisdom, I hope you choose to produce a video of you teaching Heather to shoot her newly fletched shafts properly. Thanks again, I’m a fan of your TH-cam channel now.
I do like this series so much
Nice job on this and I agree that there is a lot of satisfaction with doing it yourself, choosing your colors etc... makes the whole archery experience a fun thing!
Great vid, picked up a few more good tips. Another possible video idea for the future might be covering when to replace a damaged/torn vane vs when to completely refletch your arrows and the best method and tips to do so. Great work!
Good ideas. Will definitely cover that
Jake, you are correct about CA glue. The majority of most CA glue is formulated similarly, and the biggest difference is the viscosity of the CA, and marketing/labelling. I use a lot of CA glue in many viscosities for over a decade as professional guitar builder. From my experience with different manufacturer, Starbond is the best CA followed by FastCap CA. Starbond definitely uses the best accelerator by far, if you are using accelerator. Do not spray much accelerator. The glue doesn't need much, so spray a little from a distance of @ one foot. Too much an the CA will bubble and reduce the bond, as well as the accelerator can attest dies and painted/printed surfaces.
Great video. Thank you
Hey Jake, first of all i have to say thank you for all that helpfull content on your TH-cam channel and please just go on with it. You helped me a lot with understanding things that i do wrong or have learned wrong and why i should do it in another way.
I'm a olympic recurve style shooter und i would like to know how you would fletch Spin Wings, XS Wings and somthing like that.
Greetings from Germany.
Hi Jake, you know of all those actually explaining our wonderful sport of archery, you are by far the best!
And you have a great student in Heather! She asks all the right questions and doesn't "Ham it up"!
What I would like to see you teaching her recurve Freestyle as well as barebow, because I think she would really enjoy it, and it would be a great way of explaining things to new archers! Actually I amm a little unclear as to what is and what isn't barebow? Back in 1957, my Mum was East Midland Champion! At the time, they were just at the time when they were changing over from Lemonwood flatbows to wood and fibreglass recurve bows! My Dad made lovelly bows, but this was the stone age of archery! There were no such things as stabilisers, and the sight was nothing more than a strip of carpet with a round headed dress making pin! All you would have needed to go from recurve Freestyle to Barebow, was to remove the pin!
I think Heather's insightful simple statement that if you do your own Fletching you have no one else to blame if it goes wrong!
Something my earliest instructor, a chap called Peter Bond told me, and I have believed since 1976!
I believe that "barebow" means a bow with no sights or stabilizers. Often you use "string walking" to aim. ie; move your hand further down the string, but keep the same anchor point and aim with the tip of the arrow on the target.
Very Informative
I'm loving your beginner series. Nice to gets some official instruction in things I've taught myself over the years.
Hi Jake, new subscriber here from South Wales, UK. I’m finding your content excellent, I’m just coming back to archery after a nearly 20 year gap. I’m finding your videos so helpful for both refreshing my memory and learning new things, thankyou so much. Is that a Hoyt Aerotec riser behind you on the bench?
Thanks
Ben😊
Showing her his insanely expensive custom fletching jig >_> I remember wanting to buy that jig when Jake released his arrow building video lol I saw the price and said he'll no l
Once again a very enjoyable and informative video. Like you said towards the end, I enjoy cutting and prepping arrows with a glass of wine and good music. It does give you a sense of ownership to know tippy are involved fully in your sport. The part I do not like so much is having to strip vanes as it involves scraping with an exacto and buffing with fine sandpaper to remove imperfections towards the next set of vanes. I wish there was a better way 😕.
Try using arrow wraps. You glue the vanes or feathers onto a sticker, not on the bare arrow shaft
@@kitchenerleslie4427 Thanks, that is definetely a good option, however I prefer no to use wraps. Since tha reply I have moved to Spider WIngs which attach with double sided tape and i really like them. Spider WIngs + Double sided tape allow you tu easily replace a damaged vane in the field and I really really like that. Happy fletchings!
Thanks!
Thanks for the Super Thanks!
Jake; Thanks for a great video on putting arrows together. Even at my age 82 I learned a few things. Been around that Bitzenburger jig for years. Sure like that one you and Heather were using. Just curious about the necessity for wiping the vane groove with alcohol or mek in order to get rid of any mold release agent and give a more secure bond with the adhesive. I noticed you guys applied the glue without that process.
I've fletched Tons of arrows using different fletching jigs vane type/glues over the years. Hands down best adhesion I've had had been when I use acentone to wipe the shaft and then using a primar pin on the vanes
I use acetone all the time too. Never had issues but I’ll follow arrow manufactures’ advice if their system seems solid.
@@JakeKaminskiArchery using the primar pin has made a world of a difference on every vane takes it to the next level
@@fifthof1398
What is a primer pin
Keep it up and the student may become the teacher.... ;) hehehe. As always excellent video, Great job!!!
you are both gorgeous thank for what you are doing and good luck
Hi Jake: Thank you for your informative and well presented instructions. As a new archer I would like to start fletching my own arrows and using the Last Chance Vane Master Pro. Does this jig allow for helical fletching or just offset and straight? If not what jig would you recommend that allows this. Thank you in advance.
Left helical rules! Right helical drools!
Per carbon shafts. Another thing you can do with carbon shafts if they are nicked up but still useable is to get som thick CA glue (regular CA or super glue drys too quickly) from your local hobby store. Dab a paper towel with 2 drops or so of thick CA glue and then rub in firmly (that covers where you fletch) one direction torwards the ends (so you dont get it glue inside shaft) do no more than 2 passes. Let dry and then lighlty go over with wetted really fine (2000 grit or more) wet /dry sandpaper. If you did it right youll see the carbon kinda hologram. Also if you do it right you are sanding the CA glue not the carbon (youll see white powder dust). Ive done this with carbon shafts on my arrows, RC plane carbon spar repair, and carbon drone frames. Never had any issues. Yourlocal hobby store should have a selection of thick CA glue if not check out BSI CA glues.
Great video! Thanks! If it's a crossbow arrow at 400 +fps, would you do differently?
Called out
Since super glues polymerize in the presence of oxygen a great way to keep them liquid is to double bag them getting all the air out of the bags and the top on tight and it is stored at room temp. I have been using the same bottle of Bob Smith glue for nearly 4 years and just use a paper clip to clean the tip before use.
I store mine in an empty, small jar in the frig
Great video Mr. Jake!! Quick question for you. How do you get the 8 degree helical when it only goes to 5?
Hey Jake! Thanks for all your videos.
I was trying to work out the directional spin on my bow, like you said most people who are right handed have CCW spin..
I am right handed but my shafts spin clockwise. I tested with bareshafts marked and stepping out 1m, 2m, 3m and marked the positions.
I think the helical depends on the serving of the string (the serving on my WNS string is counter clockwise from top down)
Is this something you could test out?
Do you cover this information in your book? Thank you for all your hard work an experience. I really enjoy how throughly you explain Archery an enjoy your videos.Hiw can I become a Patreon?
I'm a beginner 3 under compound shooter so aae trad vanes will be great for my style shooting ? Can't find any advice on that subject no 2 I Shoot outside and hunt what size vane is best I've always used 4" I'm also shooting a 340 spine and no 3 I Bare shaft shot my bow the arrow naturally spins left so I should fletch left correct ? Btw great videos very thorough great job
Maybe pushing the vane down will help. I have really struggled with adhesion in the middle portion of the vane with this thing.
My daughter has just started in JOAD and will be shooting either barebow or Olympic with her Arcos riser. Would this vane be a good choice for her?
I think this video is great. My partner who has never shot a bow thinks it's information overload, confusing and intimidating. There is a market for very simple informational videos about getting into archery. My partner has two PHD's and yet she feels intimidated. Too much information presented too quicly
I think that the people watching this (like me and you) are interested in archery, have done some shooting and have had store bought arrows and are now looking at building arrows. So we've done a bit of research and understand what the theory is, but having someone walk you through what that theory translates to is awesome here. If, however, you aren't interested in building your own arrows, then most likely it is in fact information overload. For those of us dipping our toes in, we have a vested interest already. (Otherwise we'd be watching cat videos)
When I've got a new string I bareshaft from about 10feet with a mark on the the arrow to see which way it naturally goes. Mine are left and I've been told the direction is to do with serving or string twist ?
Hi Jake, do target compound bow competition archers shoot feather fletched carbon arrows, and what are the reasons for this?
Is there a better glue for the securing the tips? I use the same glue as you but when it cures it seems to get chalky white and then it flakes off eventually. And yes, then it means two glues but you can do a bunch at the end of all the fletching you are going to do.
I have been fletching my arrows with 4" feathers, parabolic cut, right twist. However from what you have said here there may be a better choice for me with respect to indoor shooting. I am using Victory VFT Elite arrows, 500 spine. I also have a dozen Carbon Express, Maxima Pro RZ Recurve that I am looking to refletch, 500 spine. What would you suggest?
At this point I do not yet shoot outdoors. I started barebow about 9 months ago and still working on stabilizing my shot process and consistency. My goal is eventually to shoot tournaments. My normal practice is 18 meters indoor range.
I have the Bohning tower, but I find enough play in the arms that my ocd is like "These gaps look slightly off", not that it matters at my skill level. But it is tremendously satisfying to be done with the arrow in one shot. I currently use the Bitz and I've been pretty happy with it, but I'm doing left offsets, no helicals.
Jake, you have a video about doing a walk back with bare shafts to see which way the arrows naturally spin off the string (usually influenced by how the serving is wrapped). Is this is a more advanced technique to decide which way to fletch? I'm surprised you didn't recommend that here.
Yeah, very advanced and was why I didn’t bother.
How do you feel about fletching tape instead of glue?
Other than the mark on the fletching jig, how did or would you determine how far from the end of the shaft do you put the end of the fletching. I have experimented with it on my setup and don't know the exact measurement without looking at my jig because I put a mark on where I like it. I have the bitz and have used it for years and have tried others but still come back to it. I'm sure that would be a question some beginners would ask in some circumstances.
Measuring and trial an error.
On this jig the nock receiver can be slid foreword and back to make adjustments.
Jake what type of bitzenburger are you using?
How do you decide where to put the cock vane? I was always told to mark the spines and put the cock vane in the same place relative to the high spot in the spine.
The problem I have with the AAE Fletcher is that none of the 3 positions of the white receiver aligns with the cock vane. I can't understand why they made it this way.
For compound alignment mostly is my guess
One common question that I think was missing: How do you know how far from the nock to fletch the arrows? I've always used the Easton recommended 1", mostly because I tend to assume that Easton is correct when it comes to arrows.
1”-1 1/4” is great. Otherwise, trail and error and testing shows the best placement for your particular setup.
Question about feathers vs vanes. Why does it seem like all the top archers, indoor and outdoor, all shoot with vanes and not feathers? Is that just my screwed perception, or is there something to that?
Mostly perception imho but indoors feathers are popular for the most part on big arrows. Outdoors, rain is the factor why no one uses them.
iam from indonesia. untuk pemula, model vanes apa yang cocok untuk jarak 15m. apakah lurus, offset, atau helical. terimakasih
Question about vane placement on the shaft. How critical is the position to arrow flight? Is there an optimum position of the vane from the nock? (Don't know if that's clear or not.)
I run mine around 1-1.25" from the groove of the nock. Its not too critical but I found the further back, the better.
Are you looking for the spline of the arrow before fletching?
Would left or right helical depend on which arm you draw with?
Actually, no. But good question.
I have an old BB from 1985
I learned to fletch on a Bitz in the late 80's. Beiter tri-liner is good for marking skinny shafts for tape on vanes. That Vane Master Pro looks too easy. Get some new ink?
Doesn't it mess up the spine indexing you did when you don't align the nock? I shoot compound and I rotate the nock on my bare shafts until I get the smallest hole, then I try to fletch in that orientation which has been a nightmare with the Bitzenburger which is why I ordered the Vane Master Pro.
That is 100% the best way to do it. However is a bit advanced for the purpose of this video. Thanks for sharing!
@@JakeKaminskiArchery Thank you! Its so awesome to be able to learn from an olympic medalist! Your videos are a gold mine!
@@JakeKaminskiArchery Do you notice any difference in your groups down range? I think most of the benefit to me is the reps through paper to make sure my grip is consistent.
Great vid! New tattoo Jake?
Nope! Just some tape on my triceps. It was giving me some problems. All fixed now.
what are your views on spin vanes for 18m. indoors. or would you only recommend the ones in this vid?
They are fine, although for 18 m only I would go with larger vanes/spin/feathers
@@JakeKaminskiArchery OK great. Thanks. And thanks for the quick response. I currently have 5" spin wings. Those would be fine?
I like fletching tape.
Rubbing alcohol ok to wipe shafts as well as wearing surgical gloves to keep finger oils off the fletch and shafts?
Rubbing alcohol works just fine 90% preferred. Honestly gloves aren’t needed but if you feel more comfortable, have at it!
I wouldn't use rubbing alcohol it leaves oil residue use denatured if your using alcohol
Fifth Of, Maybe that’s why my fletch did not stick too well.
@@garymickus6412 yep I've tried tons of things best way I've found is wipe shaft with acetone. Use a primar pin on your vane before fletching. I'm using tac glue/primar pin on my blazers I can't pull them off
new glue bottles you can store in a freezer and after use in the frig...
Sir.but we don't have that Fletcher machine
Yah, I bought a bunch of Gorilla glue and got two bottles out of 4 for use - # 3 & 4 were useless. I'll keep them in the fridge from now on.
random question jake but, is that tape on your underarm? XD what are you hiding?
My tattoo?
@@JakeKaminskiArchery ah ok, I was just confused as to why someone would have what looks like pink camo tape under their arm, I thought it was that muscle therapy tape at first
Oh that was kinesiology tape. Iirc it was some elbow pain I was dealing with. Not archery related.
@@JakeKaminskiArchery well I hope it heals soon bud, thanks for answering my weird question xD
Traditionally in a 3 fletch setup, the 3 fletches had names. The most well known name is the "cock" feather or "cock" vane. It indexes the orientation when nocking the arrow to the bowstring. The other two [not the cock] are called the "shaft" feathers or "shaft" vanes. Their name is not as famous or well known. If you asked most folks what they believe the non-cock-feathers would get called, they then make an assumption that they must therefore be called the "hen" feathers [after the pattern of "cock"]. But they would be wrong.
Have you ever used a homemade jig for fletching?
I’ve glued a couple on by hand in a pinch
Didn’t go well
@@JakeKaminskiArchery do you remembers the issues you faced with it and the design?
@@JakeKaminskiArchery the reason I am asking is for a school I work at, they have archery equipment, and an instructor, but the arrows need refletching, and they don’t have the budget at this time for more equipment
I think she may want to sit down with a glass of wine and enjoy other kinda talks. She looks patient
Gonna have to disagree with ya on one thing, Jakey. DO NOT store CA in the fridge! The humidity in there will actually accelerate the curing in the bottle. CA catalyzes with moisture in the air. It may hold it in stasis while it's in the fridge, but it will catalyze the curing once you take it out and the temperature drops. The better place to store it is a dry area like a cupboard, away from sources of humidity.
I put it back in once I’m done fletching. 🤷🏻♂️
It takes it from 2-3 months of shelf life once opened to 2+ years in my experience. I do also live in florida so humidity in the fridge is probably less then out of it hahah
@@JakeKaminskiArchery were your ears burning? I was just thinking about that as well. When you take it out and put it back in the temp makes it worse. Now my experience is just a bit different. I build plastic models, and have been using CA for all kinds of things, and I used to do that, putting it in the fridge. And the curing and adhesion seemed to suffer from it.
But then again, perhaps you don’t fletch as often as I would use CA for model parts.
@@JakeKaminskiArchery Hmmm...ya know good point. I’ve lived in SoCal and Arizona where it’s much drier than Florida.
Alright I’ll make an addendum. If you live in a humid area, it might help to our CAR in the fridge.
I like your channel, but 40 mins... that's just way too much in today's world.
Not an easy jig for newbs. I have fletched a million vanes with an Arizona ez fletch.
That is how a woman is supposed to behave👍🏿
mate, you talk to much.