Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Archery Gear => Topic started by: jdb on January 04, 2008, 06:50:48 PM

Title: fletching?
Post by: jdb on January 04, 2008, 06:50:48 PM: I was wondering everyones opion on blazer vanes, are they as good as they claim? or is it just a gimic? JB
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Ironhead on January 04, 2008, 07:41:30 PM: They are definately not a gimmick. I have shot them for 3 years and really like the arrow flight I get with them.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: coonhound on January 04, 2008, 09:51:50 PM: I second that, they are the most durable vane I have ever shot. They also help you get the FOC % you need for good broadhead flight with their light weight.

Coon
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: billythekidrock on January 05, 2008, 05:13:02 AM: Blazers or FOBs, the only way to go!
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: bankwalker on January 07, 2008, 09:44:07 PM: im buying fobs for next season...i shot some the other day out of a buddies bow. and wow.

but you need a drop away rest to shoot those...so yeah i guess i need that too lol

ive used blazers for 2 years. only had one rip off and that was from going through my 3d target.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: DeKuma on January 08, 2008, 11:17:31 AM: There is a lot of chatter on various boards about the Starrflight FOB. They seem like a pretty good idea. Most comments are positive, but I have heard a few negative.
The owner usually stops by the boards and chats. Seems like a great guy.
www.starrflight.com (http://www.starrflight.com)
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: popeshawnpaul on January 08, 2008, 11:25:02 AM: I got to second the blazers. I've been shooting them for 3 years also and they are amazing. They'll fly a slick trick to the same impact point my field points do. One thing I noticed that I have that some others don't...my arrows get fletched with 4 blazer vanes. I think it helps even better.

shawn
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: jackelope on January 08, 2008, 11:33:22 AM: I have a newbie question. i am shooting easton st axis, 100 grain field tips and 4 blazers and wraps. they were wrapped and fletched etc at a shop, not by me.
i quit shooting them because i lose a fletching, at least 1 every time i shoot(i don't want to ruin them)...which i wish was more often, but thats another discussion.
is there something i'm doing wrong? i am shooting a drop away rest.
not to hijack this thread...sorry if i do.
bad glue job?
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Choclab on January 08, 2008, 11:35:09 AM: Sounds like a bad batch.....take em back Josh. They will replace them at no charge if they are a half ass decent archery shop
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: bankwalker on January 08, 2008, 11:36:15 AM: yeah that would have to be a bad glue job...they shouldnt come off if you are using a fall away rest...unless you getting a pass through your target?
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: jackelope on January 08, 2008, 12:13:06 PM: Quote
unless you getting a pass through your target?

nope...not the case. i would expect that.
i'll try them on and see what happens.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Ironhead on January 08, 2008, 12:21:24 PM: I have found that some shops will use a fast setting glue and it sometimes sets up so fast that the fletches don't adhere well to the shaft or wrap.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 08, 2008, 12:27:45 PM: make sure they are using sandpaper on the shaft before they attach the fletch otherwise it wont get a good bond. The other thing is the wraps might need some sort of treatment so the blazers attach correctly I dont shoot wraps so I dont know ask someone who does.

If a fletch is done correctly it should be really difficult to remove with a razor blade.

If I hit a fletch square with a field tip it will make a hole but the fletch wont come off even on repeated passthroughs of the bags at Kenmore. :dunno:
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: jackelope on January 08, 2008, 12:44:01 PM: these arrows were already done. i bought them off the floor already done, so i don't know how they were glued on. i know i was shooting them at the shop right after i bought them and 1 came off.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 08, 2008, 12:47:09 PM: Quote from: jackelope on January 08, 2008, 12:44:01 PM
these arrows were already done. i bought them off the floor already done, so i don't know how they were glued on. i know i was shooting them at the shop right after i bought them and 1 came off.

How ever did them did a terrible job. I seriously have not lost a fletch in over a year.

Axis arrows are more difficult to fletch than a standard diameter arrow with a traditional carbon Finnish. but they should be better than you are describing.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Slider on January 10, 2008, 11:00:48 AM: I build my own arrow's and use wraps. When I first went to blazers I was using Fast-Set Gel. I DID have some Vanes fall off!!! WTF Any way I switches to Lock Tite Super Glue (brush on)and have not had any problems since? Next batch I'm going to use Goat Tuff.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: fishmanbp on March 20, 2008, 06:18:12 PM: ok let me start by noting that i am an absolute rook in archery. so i just bought some used arrows on ebay. i can tell by the pictures that i am going to want to refletch these arrows before i shoot them. can anyone help with links or info on refletching these myself. i know i could just take em to a shop, but i would rather learn to do it myself.myfirst question would be the best way to remove the fletches that are on the arrows. thanks
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Slider on March 20, 2008, 07:26:22 PM: You need a fletching removal tool.

http://www.fsdiscountarchery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=114
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: archery288 on March 20, 2008, 07:39:01 PM: a razor blade works good too especially for getting that last bit of glue off.. be careful though so you don't strip the carbon!! then use a rubbing alcohol or something of that nature to rube all excessive oils off of the shafts especially if your gluing them straight to the shaft without using a wrap. As for glue - well I use goat tuff and have never had a problem with any of my fletching coming off! Be careful on what vanes you choose as well, that may be the cause of your fletching falling off. Some manufacturers went through a curing problem and couldn't get the vanes to stick no matter what. Anyways, thats just my 2 cents..
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: coonhound on March 20, 2008, 08:50:07 PM: Here is my process:
1. Strip the old fletching off with a razor knife, be sure to get all the old glue off
2. Sand the shaft lightly with 320 grit
3. Thoroughly clean the shaft with Acetone
4. Clean the base of the Blazer Vane with Acetone
5. Insert vane into clamp, leave about an 1/8" of space from the base of the vane to the clamp to give the vane a little flexibility to get good contact with the shaft.
6. I use "Flex Bond" glue by flex fletch. I run a small bead and smooth it out with my finger, less is more when gluing fletching.
7. place the fletch firmly against the shaft, be sure you have firm uniform pressure full length. Sometimes you might need open the clamp slightly to allow the fletch to find a natural seat and finish with firm pressure.
8. Wait at least 5 minutes between vanes.

I have fletched hundreds of arrows with this process and find the vanes to be almost impossible to tear off. The Blazer vanes are a tall vane, you will want to check for good clearance, you might need to index your knock to avoid your cable guard.

Coon
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Paul Morris on April 21, 2008, 09:53:23 PM: Quote from: fishmanbp on March 20, 2008, 06:18:12 PM
ok let me start by noting that i am an absolute rook in archery. so i just bought some used arrows on ebay. i can tell by the pictures that i am going to want to refletch these arrows before i shoot them. can anyone help with links or info on refletching these myself. i know i could just take em to a shop, but i would rather learn to do it myself.myfirst question would be the best way to remove the fletches that are on the arrows. thanks

Or just pop of the nock and put a FOB on ;)

If you would like I can go over anyones set up to make sure they are good to go.

Any questions I would be glad to help.

Regards,
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: DeKuma on April 22, 2008, 06:48:18 AM: I agree with the FOB. It is nice not having to worry about my fletching anymore!
Even if they did not stabilize so well, I would use them just so I did not have to fletch.
I have a deep appreciation for you guys that like to custom fletch and crest your arrows! I just can not do it myself and do not want to pay to have it done, so the FOB is my logical answer!
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: muledude on April 30, 2008, 09:30:53 PM: Blazers are the the -----.. Then ad the tight point shuttle t locks and you'll think your shooting field points..
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: popeshawnpaul on April 30, 2008, 11:43:59 PM: The FOB and drop away would never work where I hunt. I crawl through the nastiest brush/stickers you could think of with an arrow nocked on my biscuit. That combo with blazers and Slick Tricks owns everything I've ever tried. I think it costs a dollar to refletch one...and I only have a fletch problem once or twice a year. I'm not sure there is a better hunting combo, period.

While I've heard mixed results on the FOB...I've never heard mixed results with Blazers. I'm not fixing what isn't broke.
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Slider on May 03, 2008, 11:01:47 AM: Pope thats because you havn't tried Siver Flames and Blazers!!!.................lol :rolleyes:
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: grandpawrichard on May 14, 2008, 05:34:57 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on January 05, 2008, 05:13:02 AM
Blazers or FOBs, the only way to go!

For me it is Blazers and T4 Turbo Nocks! :)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb218%2Fgrandpawrichard%2Fishehappy2.jpg&hash=d1649cc6e2bf75a452f52fbf314113acf899c36e)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb218%2Fgrandpawrichard%2Ftargetsarehung4.jpg&hash=e0b72dc33580868333c597fa88d64694b6210bca)

Dick
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: rosscrazyelk on May 14, 2008, 08:48:27 PM: Blazers are great and I use the four vanes to. Much better stability
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 14, 2008, 09:01:58 PM: By the looks of Granda's targets he shoots both 3 and 4 fletches
Title: Re: fletching?
Post by: DeKuma on May 15, 2008, 10:19:29 AM: Looks like Blazers and Turbo Nocks to me. Heard mixed reviews on the T-nocks, but the concept appears to be sound......

Nice shooting by the way!