Originally Posted by catnthehat (Post 4692060)

I haven't fletcher any arrows for a long time, but of all the ones I used I like the Jo-Jan multi fletcher the best .

Cat

Originally Posted by Maxwell87 (Post 4692083)

for the most diversity the bits or something similar is the way to go, but you do need to buy separate clamps depending on how much you want to do from what i understand. but your set for life with that little extra cash.



i have the arizona e-z fletch and like it. puts a ton of helical on it and does clean up easy with acetone. the arms come off and you lay it down and stack then wipe off if you let things build up. BUT all i can do is right helical. wich is what i wanted.

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon (Post 4692090)

I like how the plastic ones can do multiple vanes at once. And I did read that acetone takes care of the glue. I wouldn't have an issue just gluing one at a time with the Bitz tho.

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Originally Posted by catnthehat (Post 4692060)

I haven't fletcher any arrows for a long time, but of all the ones I used I like the Jo-Jan multi fletcher the best .
Cat

Originally Posted by MOUNTAIN MICKEY (Post 4692187)

BPE Pro Series Fletcher is what I have been using for a lot of years. I like it. Very easy to use and highly adjustable.

Originally Posted by jcrayford (Post 4692302)

I have the Arizona Ez-Fletch Mini and have used it for years. Can only fletch one arrow at a time, but it's down time usually for me and never in a rush to do 6-12 arrows.



When using it, after a couple of arrows I use my finger nail to scrap off any excess glue that may have migrated over to the mini's arms. While the glue is fresh and not completely set up (less than an hour) it's real easy to scrap these glue fragments off of the arms.



The mini sets my 2.5" (up to 3.5" I believe) fletches at a helical angle. The one thing I've learned over time is to help set the fletches, once the mini is closed and the top cap slid down the arrow shaft over the mini's arms, grab the bottom of the mini and the top cap and give them opposing gentle twists (left/right twists) to help set the fletches and arms to final positions. Set arrow and fletcher standing upright for one minute while consuming a swig of Rum (or your choice of refreshment) then again remove the top cap with another set of gentle left/right twists. Slowly push then bottom of the mini's portion up to release tension on the arms, then gently pull the arms away one at a time from the arrow shaft. Remove arrow and apply a drop of glue to the front leading edge of fletch and that's it - you're done with that shaft.



If you clean and prep the shafts before hand, you won't have an issue with fletching coming off when shooting.



EDIT: I've also used this to replace a fletch when damaged. Set the arrow in the mini, close 2 arms on the existing fletches to align properly for the third/missing fletch and repeat the above instructions for the third fletch.



J.

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon (Post 4692325)

I like the idea of doing 3 vanes at a time. And like you said, the glue isn't impossible to get off. My only issue would be replacing it in a few years or so and wishing I got a metal unit. If I ever had to replace it. Maybe that would never be an issue?

And I agree that when doing 6 or 12 arrows it isn't going to take terribly long to do them anyway. Even if the jig does just 1 vane at a time.

I haven't had rum in a while. Maybe I can make it a new fletching tradition.


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Originally Posted by jcrayford (Post 4692772)

^ I can't see myself ever needing another unit, unless I wanted to switch back to vanes/fletches longer than 3.5". But I don't think I'll be going that route.



I like having a fletching unit (whichever brand - doesn't matter) because then I can make up my own arrows. I've tried various vanes, cresting and even some unconventional stuff. Some of the coolest vanes I've had were Zeon fusion Vanes that had fiber optic rails built into the vane itself, so when you shot an arrow it looked like there were 9 points of light looking back at you - easy to follow the arrow in flight for point of impact. The only problem with those vanes was that fletching time was slightly increased as you needed to be careful when pulling the mini's arms away from the shaft so that the arm didn't catch on the fiber optic rail and pull the vane away (let the glue set up for a few minutes more)



Try the new fletching tradition with your own choice of refreshment and the process may become even more enjoyable? ha ha ha...



J.

Originally Posted by antler1 (Post 4693152)

Somewhere in the misty past I remembered reading that if you run your bow string wax lightly over the edge of the clamp then the glue doesn't bond to your clamp. Its worked for me.

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple (Post 4693276)

most strings cause your arrow to go left off the hop. some do go right. shoot your bow into a target from a few yards away with a bareshaft to see, then order a bitz with the appropriate helical clamp

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon (Post 4693356)

I think I'm going to save future shipping charges and just order the Bitz with the straight, right, and left helical clamps. Then I can do my arrows, the boss's arrows, and arrows for friends. Then I should be set for life.

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Originally Posted by calgarychef (Post 4693397)

Wish I’d have done that very same thing. You’ll be set for life.

Originally Posted by Blockcaver (Post 4694782)

My oldest piece of still used archery gear is my Bitz with a right wing clamp. Bought it from Anderson Archery in 1975. Has fletched every arrow I've used ever since from 4mm carbons to 23-15 aluminum to heavy woods. Still perfect. Truly a lifetime investment.