Arrow Building tools

I'd like to get into setting up my own arrows. Could someone give me a list of items I need to get started and do a good job? I'd like to buy raw shafts and cut to size, then build them for my two kids and myself.

I assume I'll need some of the following:
- Fletching tool
- Fletching stripper
- glues
- arrow squaring tool
- arrow saw
- arrow prep tool
- spin tester
- etc...

Thank you for your help.

Mike

 

(low$)Jo-Jan or (high$)bitzenberger fletcher - A metal one with different clamps, straight, right, left that will also do offset

A decent not very sharp knife can strip fletches, acetone will get the glue off or, better yet, get feathers and use feather fletch tape. Better than plastic and glue by a long shot.

If you use glue, any super glue type stuff although I like Fletch-tite platinum for vanes. I use hot melt glue for my inserts but a good epoxy will work.

g5 ASD arrow squaring device

There are many arrow saw types out there, even homemade. I have an Apple saw.

I use denatured alcohol and a .22 brush to prep arrows. Some inserts I use a metal file to rough up if need be.

Any good spin tester will do

 

Much obliged

 

I'm looking at picking up a blitzenberger Fletcher, wanting to shoot feathers, what are the advantages and disadvantages to the different types of clamps for a right hand compound bow shooter?

 

I would get a helical clamp, left or right will work for compound shooters, but I would get right if I were right-handed just in case I ever went Trad. The straight clamp will only allow an offset while the helical clamp will allow an offset with a helical "twist". The helical fletch, on a fletch where it wil make a real difference, will add a level of forgiveness to the shot. IMO, a helical fletch is most effective on a 4" fletch or longer. If I were only shooting something like 2" blazers I would just use a straight clamp with a 3 degree offset or more.

If you are going to shoot feathers then use feather fletch tape. You'll never use plastic and glue again.

 

Here is a list of equipment I use in the shop

Arrow saw with shop vac attached
Home made squaring device
Q-tips
Paper towels
Laquer thinner/denatured alcohol/acetone (any of which will work)
Bohning Quatum XT glue
Hot melt (optional)
Small 1lb propane torch (Optional)
Bitzenberger Fletching jigs

That is the basics for doing things like cutting, fletching, and putting inserts and such. I hope I didn't forget anything. I have a whole bunch more tools for cresting arrows.