Can you use a clamp to place a helical fletching on Easton Axis arrows with the smaller diameter shaft. If so what would be the best option if I was to buy a new Jig and clamp setup. I currently have the Grayling jig but don't have a helical clamp. Should I upgrade to a better Jig. Thanks!
I'd upgrade to a Bitz if you plan to do this long-term, which most people who are building their own arrows usually are. I bought a Grayling when I first started fletching years and years ago, and didn't like the "slop" in it; perhaps they're better a couple decades later. At least with the Bitz (and I have no idea about the Grayling, if you can or can't), you can control the amount of "offset" even IF you're using the helical clamp... so it should help with the smaller-diameter arrows.
I have had the Grayling for 15+ years but have never used anything else to compare it to. I see that Bitz gets the most talk about so I will probably go for that one. I just watched a video on the bohning tower jig. Anyone with experience with this one? Thanks Greg for the info!
What are you using for fletching? A lot of guys that are fletching with blazers swear by the shorty Arizona fletcher. I quit fletching my own a few years ago and sold most of my stuff. I use the Bohning shrink-fletch now. Greatest thing since sliced bread. Blessings........Pastorjim
Vote for the Arizona mini. 3*helical plus easy to use and clean plus fast. Does three fletch at the same time. Just what I want
have never regretted going with blitz. gives you total control over fletching: degree of offset, straight or helical, left or right helical, vane or feather. if you LIKE to fletch and tweak arrow performance, can't go wrong with blitz.
I went together with a buddy of mine and bought 3 bitzenburger jigs and I can fletch a doz arrows now in no time. Another vote for Bitz. Kilboars Hunt Club
For Blazers I still prefer the AZ EZ Fletch mini. The Bitzenberger's are great jigs for sure. But it is really hard to beat the helical the EZ Fletch installs on Blazers. If you plan to shoot other types of vanes I would just get the Bitz (or similar jig) from the start. I have a obtained a collection of jigs over the years, but I find I use Blazers the most these days so the mini jig gets the nod most of the time.
I usually fletch with 2" blazers and sometimes even the 2" razor feathers. But I also will fletch some 4" for whoever might want them. I hear you on the heat shrink type wraps. That is quick and easy but I just like building the arrows myself. I like the idea of this bohning tower fletcher but nobody seems to have feedback on it. Sounds like the Bitz is the way to go.
I had a fletcher that was meant to be used with blazers. I'll look for it and if I find it you would be welcome to try it out. Blessings..........Pastorjim
This gets my vote too. I bought one about 6 months ago and it's easy to use and quick doing 3 fletches at a time. Like it a lot.
The only thing I didn't like about the QuickFletch was I'd get air bubbles in about half of arrows I did. And they're kinda expensive over the long haul. I wonder if you could use a heat gun? Anyone ever tried that??
If you put the arrow in the pot of hot water slowly, it will allow the air to be forced out of the other end compared to placing the whole wrap in at once. The thing I found with the quick wraps were the uneven amount of extra glue from around the vanes. It may not seem like much but I would get certain arrows with excessive amount of glue and they would fly just a little off from the group. This was on the twister wraps.
It seems like yesterday I got my Bitz. It can do left or right wing, straight, offset or helical. But is was actually 1985. 3 fletch with 5" feathers then. Then to 4 fletch 4" feathers. Still use 4" Trueflight feathers to this day. But in the last 30+ years my Bitz has done just about every vane on the market. Well until about 4 years ago. Since then it's only FlexFletch (and Trueflight). What more does a guy need?
Well I went to cabelas to pick up a Bitz jig and like always they don't stock them. The only jig they had on the shelf was an Easton EZ Fletch. Not sure if this is the same as the Arizona that a lot of you suggested but I went with it. Very easy, very quick, and places a nice helical on a small diameter shaft. Really happy with so thanks for all the help. Here is a fletched arrow: using x vane 2.25
