The last 10 years I started having Issues with this but It seems to be getting much worse! It seems every time I get new arrows made up from any archery shop the feathers will start falling off with In a year every time. Years back (15 to 25 years) this was never an Issue. Why now? I don't fletch my own arrows but I may start If this keeps happening.
My feathers stay on even when I have pulled the arrow through the target. The amazing thing, though, is, when I want to remove them, they come off easily and very cleanly in a matter of seconds. Fletch tape, a feather fletch's ( and archer's) best friend.
I don't know much about this fletch tape both of you are reffering too but from what I hear from others as well It's something a person should pursue.
The last two dozen aluminum shafts I used had some coating on them that made them feather proof. I tried acetone, alcohol, scuffing.. Sometimes the feathers would pop off within a week. Fletch tape or Fletchtite.... duco... didn't matter. I now use easton light speed shafts now and duco to hold my feathers on. They will stay there until I scrape them off. Personally, I'm not all that impressed with fletch tape. I use it when I need a fast fletch and it works pretty good for awhile but eventually it slips/shifts on the shaft. Particularly with bigger feathers.
MIne stay on pretty good. Thru targets, in wet grass/mud no problems. But going thru a deer they've ripped off 2 out of 3 times last year.
Why Is It though this never was an Issue with me years ago like I said? Cheap made glue? Using less glue (my bet)? Whatever the reason Is It's getting down right frustrating!!
That would be my first guess, different/cheaper glue. Less glue is also an option but, if the same guy is fletching, perhaps he changed glue brands.
Steve, I do my own refletching and use Arizona Archery's FASTSET GEL. I'm still using Easton XX75 aluminum shafts. I strip the torn fletch/vane (from target practice), remove any remaining debris with steel wool, and rub clean with a dry cloth (no solvents/solutions). I have yet to have a vane come off doing it this way. Start refletching. It's cheaper and it's fun!
Steve , I have tried lok-tite gel and fletching tape and only lost fletching to the Lok-tite , but recently I changed from fletching tape to Saunder NPV arrow mate cement and i have yet to lose a fletch . Its pretty damn tough and I can also achieve more helical with the cement than I could with the tape . Try the tape first , it is good stuff and if it's not what you want , then try the Saunders NPV cement
I think using an arrow wrap has definitely helped me with feather fletching staying on my carbon shafts. Do a test arrow and try it out.
I second that...just went to feathers on my carbons for first time this summer. I have been super impressed with the fletch tape. I have pulled arrows all the way through my bag target - no problem on the fletch. Plus I love how fast I can fletch up an arrow...fletch tape is probably best tip I have picked up from this site. Can't wait for that first arrow with bloody feathers...
I fletched up a dozen and a half arrows last night with feathers and fletch tape (I'll finish the other half-dozen tonight)... probably in less than an hour. It's great not having to let each feather dry a few minutes before rotating the shaft for the next feather... And the only time they come off is when I shoot them off... other than that, they'll last years.
I haven't tried the fletching tape, but with all the different types of fast set glue, you shouldn't have to wait a couple of minutes Greg. Schultzy, I would just ask your man about your fletchings coming off. I would imagine that it's a cheaper glue, to save money, because the bigger you get, I would think that in a "smart" business move, you would move to quantity and not that great of quality anymore.
