Fletching help

[ThunderXB]

OK, I've done some searching here, but can't come up with exactly what I need.

I used to fletch all of my own arrows using a Bitzenburger jig.

Now I'd like to try make my own crossbow arrows.

I have a couple questions:

1) Which EZ Fletch do I want??

2) I assume right helical?? Or do I want just offset?

3) How much vane set back do I want?

4) 2" blazers or is there something better?

5) Forgot to ask, and which glue is best, blue top gorilla??

If it's important all my bows are 380 to 405 Matrixes with a BD400 mixed in.

THANKS

[xcaliber]

If you want the extreme helical, go Bolt. It limits you to only the short vanes. I like it, but also the Pro model which has the capacity for bolt diameters. It is offset, and the arrows fly real good too. It allows you to use longer vanes if that matters. Forget the set back noise. Fletch your arrows with the nocks on the shafts, and you will be around 1.25" which works real good with every Excalibur I ever made arrows for!

[xcaliber]

Glue, there are several good ones out there, and no right answer. I use AAE Fast Set gel, and G5- BluGlu which is real easy to see since it is blue in color. One thing i have found, everyone has there favorite this or that, and they all work. My advice is to try a few, and pick what you like to work with. Vanes? Hard to beat the Blazers. I prefer something else, but won't ever completely give up on Blazers.

[Boo]

When you get the arrows fletched don't forget to put a drop of glue on the front and back of the vane. It will help keep stuff from going under the vane and keep them stuck to the arrow better and longer. If you don't when you shoot threw something or the arrow goes to deep in the target it will start peeling them off.

Yep!

[Horizontal Hunter]

I posted this a while back but this might be helpful:

Another member asked for a thread on arrow building in another post so here is a start. I really enjoy assembling my own arrows, and it isn't hard. Here are the resources I used to help me get started:

Arrow building part 1:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ding.shtml

Arrow building part 2:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ing2.shtml

Arrow building part 3:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ing3.shtml

A link to Gary L's series on the Arizona EZ Fletch, don't forget the oreos:
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... hp?t=16628

A link on how to crest an arrow with Lacquer spray paint:
http://www.texastrackers.com/Videos/Arrows.wmv


And a link for an F.O.C calculator:

http://home.att.net/~sajackson/archery9.html

I am sure that other members have more to add.

Bob

Also, In addition to the AZ EZ fletching jig I believe that a scale and the G5 ASD are also necessary tools. I weigh every component and try to match them up so that the overall arrow weight is the same. With a little effort on my part I can make a dozen arrows all weight the same +/- .5g, though it is not really necessary to be that exacting.

My basic procedure is:

1. I sort my components by weight and match them up
2. I square the ends of the carbon shaft with the G5 ASD.
3. I rough up the insides of the shafts with a 22 cal bore brush and then blow them out with the air compressor.
4. I apply two part epoxy to the inserts and install them with a twisting motion
5. I clean the shaft where I an going to apply the fletchings with acetone until "squeaky clean."
Do not soak carbon arrows in acetone
6. I number one fletch and apply the fletchings
7. When I take the arrow out of the fletcher I run a "Q" tip down each side of the vane while rotating the "Q" tip to clean up any excess glue
8. I let them dry over night before I shoot them.

Make sure that your finished arrow and tip combination meets or exceeds the minimum arrow weight requirement.

It takes some practice to get the hang of putting the right amount of glue on the fletchings. Take an old arrow and buy 50 of the cheapest duravanes you can find and have at it.

Everybody does it a little different. I use loctite gel for the fletchings and Gorilla super glue gel with the latex additive for the inserts.

Bob
Vegetarian: vejiˈte(ə)rēən/noun: old Indian word for lousy hunter.

[SEW]

HH,
That's a very nice, brief summary!

[ThackMan]

Soaking carbon arrows in acetone won't do anything to them. It has been discussed on here several times.

[ThunderXB]

HH,

Thanks for all the feedback and info!

[xcaliber]

I posted this a while back but this might be helpful:

Another member asked for a thread on arrow building in another post so here is a start. I really enjoy assembling my own arrows, and it isn't hard. Here are the resources I used to help me get started:

Arrow building part 1:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ding.shtml

Arrow building part 2:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ing2.shtml

Arrow building part 3:
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publis ... ing3.shtml

A link to Gary L's series on the Arizona EZ Fletch, don't forget the oreos:
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... hp?t=16628

A link on how to crest an arrow with Lacquer spray paint:
http://www.texastrackers.com/Videos/Arrows.wmv


And a link for an F.O.C calculator:

http://home.att.net/~sajackson/archery9.html

I am sure that other members have more to add.

Bob

Also, In addition to the AZ EZ fletching jig I believe that a scale and the G5 ASD are also necessary tools. I weigh every component and try to match them up so that the overall arrow weight is the same. With a little effort on my part I can make a dozen arrows all weight the same +/- .5g, though it is not really necessary to be that exacting.

My basic procedure is:

1. I sort my components by weight and match them up
2. I square the ends of the carbon shaft with the G5 ASD.
3. I rough up the insides of the shafts with a 22 cal bore brush and then blow them out with the air compressor.
4. I apply two part epoxy to the inserts and install them with a twisting motion
5. I clean the shaft where I an going to apply the fletchings with acetone until "squeaky clean."
Do not soak carbon arrows in acetone
6. I number one fletch and apply the fletchings
7. When I take the arrow out of the fletcher I run a "Q" tip down each side of the vane while rotating the "Q" tip to clean up any excess glue
8. I let them dry over night before I shoot them.

Make sure that your finished arrow and tip combination meets or exceeds the minimum arrow weight requirement.

It takes some practice to get the hang of putting the right amount of glue on the fletchings. Take an old arrow and buy 50 of the cheapest duravanes you can find and have at it.

Everybody does it a little different. I use loctite gel for the fletchings and Gorilla super glue gel with the latex additive for the inserts.

Bob
Vegetarian: vejiˈte(ə)rēən/noun: old Indian word for lousy hunter.

Darn good post right there!