Grouping Test with self fletched arrows.

[Smossy]

Who in here fletches theyre own arrows?
What do you fletch them out angle wise?
2-3-4 vane?
2 or 4 inch?
Favorite brand?
Favorite results?
Favorite fletching tool?
Wraps or no wraps?

Ive been using 2 inch blazer vanes mounted about a half inch above my arrow knocks.
Ive been doing 120 degree with a slight twist.
Bitzenburger Fletching tool.
Platinum glue.
Blazer arrow wraps. 

Heres alittle video I finally got uploading of some grouping tests at 32 yards.

Hoyt Ultrasport ZR 100 Cam + 1/2 60lb Bow Video Test.

[blacktailcody]

Nice car.

[Smossy]

Nice car.

That, would be my ladies lol.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Custom Body, Etc etc yada yada. Lil fricken boxcar is what it is lol.
Soo cramped in that thing

[blacktailcody]

Lol.

[sakoshooter]

I use a Bohning Blazer Helix jig for a real good helical or a Jo Jan helical for 6 at a time. 3 fletch Blazers work just fine for me. I also use Bohning Platinum glue.

[JLS]

I use a Bitz also.  I've done both Blazers and standard 4" vanes, with wraps and without.  All three fletch.

I can't say that I've had better luck with either.  From my anecdotal testing, it appears that the 4" vanes will stabilize a little better in windy conditions than the Blazers, but I sure wouldn't state that as gospel truth either.

Edit:  Those arrows you did look nice.  Are you able to see the orange well when locating an arrow?  I found that orange didn't really stand out all that well to me and went to chartreuse instead.  Two chartreuse vanes with a chartreuse wrap, and an orange vane looked sharp and were really easy to find.

[owmygulay]

I fletch my own too. I use the Arizona ez mini, 2 pink and 1 white 2" blazers with reflective wraps and loc tite ultra control gel super glue. The az ez mini puts a really nice twist on the blazers.

[Smossy]

I use a Bitz also.  I've done both Blazers and standard 4" vanes, with wraps and without.  All three fletch.

I can't say that I've had better luck with either.  From my anecdotal testing, it appears that the 4" vanes will stabilize a little better in windy conditions than the Blazers, but I sure wouldn't state that as gospel truth either.

Edit:  Those arrows you did look nice.  Are you able to see the orange well when locating an arrow?  I found that orange didn't really stand out all that well to me and went to chartreuse instead.  Two chartreuse vanes with a chartreuse wrap, and an orange vane looked sharp and were really easy to find.

So far so good, I decided to go with the brighest colors I could find.
Now Ive actually found the bright neon pink but seems kinda girly
Those arrows Ive had they came already fletched with one earth green and two whites, 4 Inch vanes. They are virtually impossible to find. Ive still only recovered 2 arrows out of 5 that Ive lost practicing/tuning my bow.

"For some reason SOMETIMES when I go to pull on my quick release I like... Twitch or flinch kinda and have totally missed the target like I was trying to shoot birds outa the trees."

Over time they just got worn out and damaged, Decided to go with wraps to increase my visibility.
I like the look of the striped orange vane. Gives it some umph! lol
But one thing I have noticed 50% of the time when Im trying to recover lost arrows I usually spot them by the nock.
For whatever reason I have really good luck shooting my arrows basicaly underground. So Id say the brighter the nock the better being as we cant use luminocks. "Dont get why but wish we could".
Probably to decrease success rates of night poachers? No idea really though.

I love the platinum glue! But it seems like for whatever reason with the wraps on, My vanes will split off taking some of the wrap with them.
Not sure if its lack glue or failure of the wrap itself?
Its always at the seam of where the fletching and the wrap join.


All in all, Im very pleased with the results of the 2 inch blazer vanes, the wraps, and the glue. My only thing is I wish that the wraps had alittle bit better adhesive!

[carpsniperg2]

j8 jig, 4 hp 2" vanes for me.

[RadSav]

My only thing is I wish that the wraps had alittle bit better adhesive!

You can take a Blazer wrap to just about any sign store and have them duplicate the size with a 3M vinyl product.  I think they grip better than the Oracle stuff most use.  Though I have not had much problem with Blazer wraps sticking well - that's a lot of surface area!  Well, that is except for the white.  Have had nothing but problems with their white!

I used to have a lot of fun with my wraps from the sign store.  I would lay out deer images for deer hunts, elk for elk hunts, goats for goat hunts, etc, etc.  Not sure if it is still that way but it was a requirement in Texas to have your name and address on your arrows.  That's how I first got started using the local sign shop.

[Smossy]

Ohh thats really not a bad Idea, I was always wondering if there was longer wraps.
The basic blazer ones are about half the length Id really be happy with, just for the fact that I have crap for luck when it comes to finding lost arrows. The brighter the color, more surface area that color has the better! Thanks for the input.

[h20hunter]

Welcome to "Smossyvision".......looks like they are getting the job done just fine.

[Smossy]

Welcome to "Smossyvision".......looks like they are getting the job done just fine.

Haha, yeah I said i love them!

I had to increase the amount of glue I used though to get them to actually be almost indestuctible. Gotta basicly aim off Just so I dont destroy my own arrows/fletchings.
Its almost a surgical tool unless I flinch or twitch for whatever reason.
Kinda experimenting with using the glue as a type of shell, covering most of the wrap and the mount to the fletch. Ill let you guys know how it goes. Nail polish brush is what Im using.

[RadSav]

Ohh thats really not a bad Idea, I was always wondering if there was longer wraps.
The basic blazer ones are about half the length Id really be happy with, just for the fact that I have crap for luck when it comes to finding lost arrows. The brighter the color, more surface area that color has the better! Thanks for the input.

If you go longer in wrap be sure to check your FOC to make sure your hunting arrows are not less than 10%.  Wraps add quite a bit of weight to the back end.  Often times requiring a 25 grain or more point increase.  you can shoot less FOC on the range in perfect conditions.  But you are going to want at least 10% for the variance of conditions in the field.  I prefer 12% personally.

[Smossy]

Ohh thats really not a bad Idea, I was always wondering if there was longer wraps.
The basic blazer ones are about half the length Id really be happy with, just for the fact that I have crap for luck when it comes to finding lost arrows. The brighter the color, more surface area that color has the better! Thanks for the input.

If you go longer in wrap be sure to check your FOC to make sure your hunting arrows are not less than 10%.  Wraps add quite a bit of weight to the back end.  Often times requiring a 25 grain or more point increase.  you can shoot less FOC on the range in perfect conditions.  But you are going to want at least 10% for the variance of conditions in the field.  I prefer 12% personally.

Might be a dumb question but Im new to just about everything, What is FOC?
So basically your saying If I increase the weight of the back via glue/wraps etc.
Maybe go with a larger broadhead like 125 grain?

[RadSav]

Ohh thats really not a bad Idea, I was always wondering if there was longer wraps.
The basic blazer ones are about half the length Id really be happy with, just for the fact that I have crap for luck when it comes to finding lost arrows. The brighter the color, more surface area that color has the better! Thanks for the input.

If you go longer in wrap be sure to check your FOC to make sure your hunting arrows are not less than 10%.  Wraps add quite a bit of weight to the back end.  Often times requiring a 25 grain or more point increase.  you can shoot less FOC on the range in perfect conditions.  But you are going to want at least 10% for the variance of conditions in the field.  I prefer 12% personally.

Might be a dumb question but Im new to just about everything, What is FOC?
So basically your saying If I increase the weight of the back via glue/wraps etc.
Maybe go with a larger broadhead like 125 grain?

Weight forward or Front Of Center = FOC

Measure from point to point.  Find center then find balance point. So for simplicity say you have a 10" arrow.  Center would be at 5".  If you balance 1" forward of center that would be 10% FOC. (30" arrow with point and nock would have center at 15".  3.6" forward from center would be 12% FOC)

[Smossy]

Ohh thats really not a bad Idea, I was always wondering if there was longer wraps.
The basic blazer ones are about half the length Id really be happy with, just for the fact that I have crap for luck when it comes to finding lost arrows. The brighter the color, more surface area that color has the better! Thanks for the input.

If you go longer in wrap be sure to check your FOC to make sure your hunting arrows are not less than 10%.  Wraps add quite a bit of weight to the back end.  Often times requiring a 25 grain or more point increase.  you can shoot less FOC on the range in perfect conditions.  But you are going to want at least 10% for the variance of conditions in the field.  I prefer 12% personally.

Might be a dumb question but Im new to just about everything, What is FOC?
So basically your saying If I increase the weight of the back via glue/wraps etc.
Maybe go with a larger broadhead like 125 grain?

Weight forward or Front Of Center = FOC

Measure from point to point.  Find center then find balance point. So for simplicity say you have a 10" arrow.  Center would be at 5".  If you balance 1" forward of center that would be 10% FOC. (30" arrow with point and nock would have center at 15".  3.6" forward from center would be 12% FOC)

Ok wow Ive never read anywhere about that. Makes perfect sense though. Otherwise your arrows  would be off balance, Gonna have to check this.
Got a specific way of doing it? Like a tool? Or basicaly tape measure and eyeballs?

[SevenD]

Also, as you mess around with changing up your config, number your arrows so you know which are grouping best

[BOWHUNTER45]

Sounds like you guys want to shoot in the Olympics with all this technical stuff  Good shooting 

[RadSav]

Pencil and a measuring tape is close enough.

[Smossy]

Sounds like you guys want to shoot in the Olympics with all this technical stuff  Good shooting 

Lol naw just want to make sure I hit what im aiming at! haha
That way if I miss I know its my own dang fault not my bow or arrows.

[Smossy]

Also, as you mess around with changing up your config, number your arrows so you know which are grouping best

Cool idea thanks.

[owmygulay]

Sounds like you guys want to shoot in the Olympics with all this technical stuff  Good shooting 

Why not? When there is a life at stake I want my equipment to perform as well as possible. Plus it is kind of fun messing around with different setups.

I get my wraps from onestringer.com. They do great custom stuff and have really quick turn around.