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Blitzing my first trad arrow

I have a straight clamp and a left clamp. For some reason I thought that I had to use a left clamp with left wing feathers. More than one of yall have talked about using a straight clamp with left wing feathers. So I ask the dumb question.
Is it okay to use a straight clamp for left wing feathers????
You can use straight clamp with either left or right wing feathers . You don’t get as much helical but more of a off set which is all you need. You don’t need massive helical but it’s fun to shoot if you get it The key is to get a strong seat on the shaft with your feather.
 
I did it yall. It took me about 4 fletches to get it right.

I did use the left clamp. But I worked the knobs until contact was made all along the entire left wing feather with the shaft as suggested.

But the game changer was where along the clamp I put the feather. I was putting it at the mark in the clamp I used for my compound shafts. By accident I moved the rear of the feather closer to the nock. The feather laid in the clamp perfectly.

So I fletched an arrow with the adjusted knobs, left clamp and closer to the nock.

Afterwards I compared one of my arrows 3rivers fletched for me with the one I just did. Both feathers were the same distance from the nock. (woohoo)

So now that I broke the code, I think, I feel like I can do a set for hunting with my longbow next year. After I shoot this arrow....

Thanks to all who commented. You helped me learn and gave some good advice. I really appreciate it.
 
I did it yall. It took me about 4 fletches to get it right.

I did use the left clamp. But I worked the knobs until contact was made all along the entire left wing feather with the shaft as suggested.

But the game changer was where along the clamp I put the feather. I was putting it at the mark in the clamp I used for my compound shafts. By accident I moved the rear of the feather closer to the nock. The feather laid in the clamp perfectly.

So I fletched an arrow with the adjusted knobs, left clamp and closer to the nock.

Afterwards I compared one of my arrows 3rivers fletched for me with the one I just did. Both feathers were the same distance from the nock. (woohoo)

So now that I broke the code, I think, I feel like I can do a set for hunting with my longbow next year. After I shoot this arrow....

Thanks to all who commented. You helped me learn and gave some good advice. I really appreciate it.
Tape or glue?
 
@katiesmom way to work through it!! Those look great!! I couldn't tell in your one picture but be sure to place a dab of glue on the end of each feather especially in the front of each fletch. It protects it from catching on your target face etc. and just adds some durability. Don't glob it on though, I just put one drop on and depending on the glue and the temperature in which you are fletching in, I take a wood skewer and use the sharp pointed end to spread the glue down onto the front of the fletch ends and so its just not a ball or glob sitting there. Then be sure to wipe the glue off of your skewer with a little acetone so you can keep glue build up off of it. I've used the same wood skewer for this for years. If you used fletch tight you can typically let it dry and just peel it off too but other adhesives you may not be able to do that. Nice work.
 
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@katiesmom way to work through it!! Those look great!! I couldn't tell in your one picture but be sure to place a dab of glue on the end of each feather especially in the front of each fletch. It protects it from catching on your target face etc. and just adds some durability. Don't glob it on though, I just put one drop on and depending on the glue and the temperature in which you are fletching in, I take a wood skewer and use the sharp pointed end to spread the glue down onto the front of the fletch ends and so its just not a ball or glob sitting there. Then be sure to wipe the glue off of your skewer with a little acetone so you can keep glue build up off of it. I've used the same wood skewer for this for years. If you used fletch tight you can typically let it dry and just peel it off too but other adhesives you may not be able to do that. Nice work.

You are correct, I haven't done that yet. I will take your "how to" suggestion for sure.
 
You might need to sand the feathers first, also with the feather in the clamp adjust the offset until the feather sits flat or the best you can get. I also put a drop of glue on the leading edge after and it work fine.
 
You might need to sand the feathers first, also with the feather in the clamp adjust the offset until the feather sits flat or the best you can get. I also put a drop of glue on the leading edge after and it work fine.
I assume you mean the base of the feathers? That makes sense, smooth them down for better contact. Using a very fine sandpaper... cool.
 
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