If you know how to fletch your own arrows you can help save yourself money and learn more about the great sport we all love.
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Learning how to fletch your own arrows is a very simple process.[/caption]
Learning how to fletch your own arrows is very simple and a great skill to start with if you want to manage your own gear. I've fletched my own arrows for years and it's nice to be able to sit down one night and repair a half dozen or so at a time. Prior to that I was forced to buy a brand new six pack of arrows because I was missing a few fletchings. When I learned how to fletch my own arrows I really extended the life of my arrows.
Learning how to fletch your own
arrows can really be broken down into 8 very simple steps.
1. Clean all vanes, glue, dirt, wraps off of your arrow. I use a knife to slice away the big stuff, being careful not to damage my arrow.
2. Wipe the shaft with a thinner like acetone. Rubbing the shaft with acetone will help remove any of the residue left on the shaft, which is important if you want your next round of fletchings to stick. A word of caution here, if you are using acetone make sure to wear some thick rubber gloves. This stuff is pretty serious and will eat through thin gloves in a heartbeat.
3. Rinse your shafts in hot water and let air dry.
4. Now you are ready to start actually laying on the new fletchings. A fletching jig comes in handy at this step. I know there are guys out there that can do the job without one, but it's the only way I could ever accomplish the task. You will also need to have decided what type of fletchings or
vanes you want to install on your arrows and have them handy.
5. Lay your first new vane in the jig and coat the bottom with a
good glue for fletching.
6. Now press the new vane onto the shaft and apply some pressure to the jig to ensure a good bond. I typically hold for a full minute to make sure the glue has a chance to take. Doing this has really helped me in getting my arrows to stick.
7. Rotate your arrow in the jig and apply your next vane in the same fashion. Repeat to install the third vane, and forth if you like having four vanes on your arrows.
8. Let your arrows sit for 24 hours before using them.
You can watch this video about how to fletch your own arrows if you are more of a visual learner.
https://youtu.be/ng3McFa2WJk
There you have it. 8 simple steps describing how to fletch your own arrows.
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