arrow fletching issues

[jburkett]

has anyone on here ever had problems with refletched arrows losing their vanes on the first or second shot?  as far as i know ive done it the right way scraping the old glue off of the shafts, cleaning them with alchahol, and using the recomended glue.  i do it the same way the archery shop does,  with the same jig, and fast-set gel just like he uses, but his fletchings stay on and mine do not.   any suggestion? 

[Todd_ID]

Old glue can do just like you described.  If it's new, though, I'm guessing just not enough time to cure.  Even the quick set super glues like Loctite Gel or Goat Tuff need a little while to harden fully.  I try hard not to shoot mine inside of 3 hours in the summer heat and 12 hours in the winter.  They get good strength immediately, but a shot arrow is a violent experience.

Vane contact throws another problem into the mix, too.  Contact on the shot (like with a Whisker Biscuit or untimed drop-away) would require a longer cure time to keep from losing vanes.

[cwuwildcat]

I usually get a drop of goat tuff or something on the end of a toothpic and dab it on the leading tip of the vane, after the glue has set up.  It keeps it from peeling back.  This is especially a problem if you're using a whisker bisquit.  You're probably just not getting "enough" glue on the end to begin with.  It's a very fine line.

[Matt]

What vanes and arrows are you using.  The problem with fast get is if it is old it will get brittle when it sets up.  Goat tuff is the same way.  GT actually has a shelf life of 3 months before it starts losing it's potentcy.  If you are using blazers then try Saunders NPV.  You have to leave it in the clamp longer but they will stay put.  You should also take a green scotch brite pad and scuff the arrow up before you start fletching.  Good luck.

[pianoman9701]

has anyone on here ever had problems with refletched arrows losing their vanes on the first or second shot?  as far as i know ive done it the right way scraping the old glue off of the shafts, cleaning them with alchahol, and using the recomended glue.  i do it the same way the archery shop does,  with the same jig, and fast-set gel just like he uses, but his fletchings stay on and mine do not.   any suggestion?

I've had the same problem and was told to start using wraps. I haven't re-fletched yet, but will try it.

[Gamblin Guy]

I always use wraps, it makes refletching a lot easier and I dont have to worry about scraping glue from a carbon shaft.   

[Button Nubbs]

Wrap your shaft. I'm gonna guess your using blazers and cleaning the base of them? but that's a no no. They have an accelerant on the base that helps the glue bond.

[pianoman9701]

Wrap your shaft. I'm gonna guess your using blazers and cleaning the base of them? but that's a no no. They have an accelerant on the base that helps the glue bond.

No kidding about the accelerant! I wish I'd known that. I've always cleaned shaft and vanes with denatured alcohol. Thanks for the info.

[gallion_t]

Ive been having the same issue. Ive followed all of the directions and talked to a guy at and archery shop, bought new glue, cleaned the shafts done everything i can think of. They still wont stay on for more than a few shots. It gets really annoying spending more time fletching than actually shooting. Next set of arrows i get are coming prefletched that's for sure.

[Camp David]

Same problem with blazers...did'nt know about the accelerant  . I'm currently using Gorilla Glue on some Flu Flu arrows. You can only use a real little, but seems to work great. From now on I'll be wrapping my shaft (sounds a little perverted  ); I like the look a lot better and the fletches alway stick!

[pianoman9701]

Wrap those rascals! I should've been following the advice my dad gave me 38 years ago!

[gonehuntin68]

probebly been said but i also scuff mine up a little with some fine grit sand paper and after the arrows are fletched i put a tiny dab of glue on each end

[TheHunt]

I use acetone to clean the shaft of the arrow.  Then I lightly sand the vane that touchs the shaft of the arrow.  Then run the acetone cloth over the vane area that you just lightly sanded.  Run a line of glue down the vien with it already in the metal holder of the bitzenburger. Then carefully put the vane against the shaft.  Wait for an hour then do it again with the next vane. 

This works for me on all my practice arrows.  But I use those heat shrink wraps for all my hunting arrows since last year.

[str8meat]

give em to me for the weekend joe. i have arrows that have kept the fletches for 5 years and been thru 2 animals. they are fletched with flex fletch. they are the shizzle.

[jburkett]

thanks for all the insight,  i havent tried the scotch bright yet but it does make sense and i will be trying on the next round of arrows

i am shooting gold tip xt hunters with blazers

[halflife65]

Always wrap your shaft.  Especially important when you're hunting in unfamiliar territory.

[Button Nubbs]

Even more so if your "hog hunting".

[JKEEN33]

thanks for all the insight,  i havent tried the scotch bright yet but it does make sense and i will be trying on the next round of arrows

i am shooting gold tip xt hunters with blazers

I shoot the Gold Tip XT Hunter with Blazers also. When refletching, I scrape all the old off as much as possible. I then use the green scouring pad to buff the rest off. Once this is done, I use hot water and soap to clean the shaft then let it dry. I use the gorilla glue and Blazer Vanes. I only give it 40-45 seconds before setting the next vane. I let them dry for 24 hours before shooting. I have a tough time getting them off if I damage them after these steps. It takes a little practice getting the right amount of glue also. To much and you have a mess, not enough and they wont stay. 

[Dstacy]

In regards to your problem with fletching. I have been making arrows now for over 30 years. In the last 3 years I have used wraps for all of my arrow making. My glue of choice is Fletch Tite. I shoot off a G-5 Rest . You should try fletch Tite and see if that helps. Also make sure you are not hitting your cables or your arrow rest. Check your flight of your arrow and see if its leaving the bow clean.

[jburkett]

i have tried fletch tight glue before but not since alluminum arrows were the norm.    and i have also checked the clearance of the bow-fletchings and it is close but clear by an 1/8 or 3/16 on an inch,  it seems that he issue is my prep work, gonna try the scotch brite and different glue

[sebek556]

Always wrap your shaft.  Especially important when you're hunting in unfamiliar territory.

[RadSav]

Make sure your alcohol is 90% or better.  Any less than that and you're screwed.  Lacquer thinner and MEK are not really good if you are using gel.  If you do use it make sure what ever you treat with it sits for a few hours first.  Simple green is the cleaner I prefer when using gel based cyanoacrylate glues.  Just make sure you rinse really well with hot water after cleaning and dry with white paper towels.

I agree with those guys that have mentioned wraps earlier.  They make life much easier when fletching and/or refletching.

When all else fails go to Saunders NPV old school glue.

[buckfvr]

I have never found a reason to stray from AAE fletch and adhesives.  After scraping and cleaning with denatured alcohol, I scotch brite the shafts, reclean, and wipe down , let set over night, and no problems.   In some of my applications, I border on the low side of FOC, and for this reason, I do not use wraps.......since I usually have a few hundred vanes on hand,  I just refletch as needed, as regular maintenance.  AAE products are so simple to use, and work so well for me,  I guess it may be the only real product loyalty I have.  Everything else is under constant scrutiny, ( except the Bitzenburger )................

[RadSav]

FOC is the down side to wraps.  Most who shoot them really should shoot a heavier broadhead or insert.  We make our own 38 grain brass CB style inserts just for that reason.

[Dino Guerrero]

This works for me on all my practice arrows.  But I use those heat shrink wraps for all my hunting arrows since last year.

We are the same buddy. I also used heat shrink to cover and protect my hunting arrows 5 months now. Maybe other's will think that it cost too much. Well maybe if they don't do some research, but i will share this website (http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/heatshrink.php) i found. Its all worth it. Quality and affordable heat shrinks they sell. Just take a look and  compare to other sellers online.