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Fletching Arrows

Bigterp

Bigterp

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I got a dozen bare shafts cut down & a new bitzenberger jig...... I’m gonna play around with some old arrows. Any pointers from guys who build their own?? I’ve watched a bunch of good YouTube vids & I’m fairly meticulous, so I think it should be ok. But I’ll entertain words of wisdom from all comers.
 
Main thing is make sure that you’re getting full base contact on the fletching. You can offset the clamp a little to get some extra twist to the vane if you want. I put a vane or feather in it and adjust the the clamp to get the maximum offset helical then just go to it. It’s really straight forward. Use good glue and don’t over apply the glue to create excessive squeeze out. Mark your clamp so you place the vane in the same location and dry fit each one in relation to the first and slightly move it to make sure it’s as close as you can get to being In the same place.

A lot of vanes are ever so slightly different lengths. I set mine so all the backs are in line and let the difference fall to the front.

Keep the nock seated tight and when you index the receiver be sure to rotate till all the slack is out. Repeat that on every one and you’ll produce professional looking arrows every time.
 
I would advise going through Nockon Archery’s YouTube channel. I typically clean shafts with acetone or alcohol. I use AAE vanes so use their prep pen prior to applying glue. I wipe the glue smooth with my finger and then place in bitzenberger jig. This has worked amazingly well for me.
 
I'm lazy so I use quick fletch vanes. Just boil water dip the arrow with the fetching in and BAM! Save alot of time and you get a Crest for checking your hit. I love them
 
I agree with Nate, check out the nock on archery how to videos on YouTube, and definitely use the aae max weld primer pen, I could tell a big difference with the strength of my vanes staying on, good luck!
 
I use an arizona EZ fletch mini. Works great and puts a perfect right helical on them. I like the portability of the arizone jig, but my cousin has a bitzenburger jig and that seems nice too. I don't have a dedicated workbench for archery so the portable jig is preferred.

I personally like building arrows (even if I don't do it all that often). I square nock and insert ends using a squaring tool. Glue the inserts myself (goat tuff or g5 blu glue), and do a 3 vane fletch with the arizona jig. Have not had any issues with erratic flyers in several years and if I do usually a nock tune will fix it.
 
d_rek said:
I use an arizona EZ fletch mini. Works great and puts a perfect right helical on them. I like the portability of the arizone jig, but my cousin has a bitzenburger jig and that seems nice too. I don't have a dedicated workbench for archery so the portable jig is preferred.

I personally like building arrows (even if I don't do it all that often). I square nock and insert ends using a squaring tool. Glue the inserts myself (goat tuff or g5 blu glue), and do a 3 vane fletch with the arizona jig. Have not had any issues with erratic flyers in several years and if I do usually a nock tune will fix it.
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So I’m super green to the diy side of arrow building & tuning...... what is nock tuning & how does it work?
 
Bigterp said:
So I’m super green to the diy side of arrow building & tuning...... what is nock tuning & how does it work?
Click to expand...
Nock tuning is turning your nock to line up with another vane and seeing if a "flyer" gets back in line that way. Sometimes the spine of the arrow is off and turning the nock will bring that flyer right back in with the group. This is one reason some guys use a 4 fletch is that it gives them one more option to nock tune. I try to buy shafts with high tolerances and by doing that I haven't ever had to worry about it.
 
d_rek said:
I use an arizona EZ fletch mini. Works great and puts a perfect right helical on them. I like the portability of the arizone jig, but my cousin has a bitzenburger jig and that seems nice too. I don't have a dedicated workbench for archery so the portable jig is preferred.

I personally like building arrows (even if I don't do it all that often). I square nock and insert ends using a squaring tool. Glue the inserts myself (goat tuff or g5 blu glue), and do a 3 vane fletch with the arizona jig. Have not had any issues with erratic flyers in several years and if I do usually a nock tune will fix it.
Click to expand...
G5 squaring tool is a must!! I really like the 30-06 insert iron and also the AAE Max Impact stuff.
 
Ok so here is my setup I’m trying out Easton axis sm diameter (4 or 5mm can’t remember) match grade 260’s with a 75gr insert, 4” wrap & 3 2” blazers. I see what you’re getting at with nock tuning, trying to account for some irregularities in spine at launch??
I was running fmj’s for the past 3 seasons, but just trying to switch it up.....
 
Bigterp said:
Ok so here is my setup I’m trying out Easton axis sm diameter (4 or 5mm can’t remember) match grade 260’s with a 75gr insert, 4” wrap & 3 2” blazers. I see what you’re getting at with nock tuning, trying to account for some irregularities in spine at launch??
I was running fmj’s for the past 3 seasons, but just trying to switch it up.....
Click to expand...
I doubt you'll have any flyers with those match grade shafts, but you never know.
 
Bigterp said:
Ok so here is my setup I’m trying out Easton axis sm diameter (4 or 5mm can’t remember) match grade 260’s with a 75gr insert, 4” wrap & 3 2” blazers. I see what you’re getting at with nock tuning, trying to account for some irregularities in spine at launch??
I was running fmj’s for the past 3 seasons, but just trying to switch it up.....
Click to expand...

I also went from several seasons of fmj’s to the Axis nano’s this season. The Fmj’s are a great shaft but I couldn’t get over the bending.
 
Wirrex said:
I also went from several seasons of fmj’s to the Axis nano’s this season. The Fmj’s are a great shaft but I couldn’t get over the bending.
Click to expand...
They were great if someone was giving them to me, but I just found them expensive to shoot. I didn’t have a ton of problems bending, but so much ke down range tended to mushrooms heads around that insert.........
 
Bigterp said:
They were great if someone was giving them to me, but I just found them expensive to shoot. I didn’t have a ton of problems bending, but so much ke down range tended to mushrooms heads around that insert.........
Click to expand...

That is true also.
 
To each their own but I don't know why anyone shoots aluminum shafts anymore. I don't miss the headache or expense of bending arrows.
 
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