One of the first things people new to archery do is fletch arrows. As you progress in archery you will start to customize your equipment. And one of the easiest things to do is improve your fletching setup. When exploring your options in the gear you should pay attention to what you are wanting to focus on. Are you going to be shooting in tournaments for an archery club or are you going to be in the field of bowhunting? Both setups are very different and depending on your budget you may have to focus more on just one area at a time.
Taking the time to set up your own equipment connects us to an ancient practice that our ancestors did every day of their lives. The reward felt by building your own arrows grounds us in the past. Getting started in anything new can be intimidating but the pros at your local archery shop can get you pointed in a direction to help you navigate the terrain of archery. You will need to pick up some items from the Pro Shop: Arrow shafts, preferred Fletching or AAE MAX fletching, Bitzenburger’s Fletching Jig, super glue or AAE MAX bond, rubbing alcohol or AAE cleaning wipes.
WHICH FLETCHING IS RIGHT FOR YOU
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This all depends on what you are planning to do. Are you doing tournament shooting at targets or are you bowhunting whitetail? Are you shooting a traditional or compound bow? As for me, I set up my compound bow for hunting. I am able to hunt year-round in Texas on a wide range of animals on public lands. I prefer shooting AAE MAX fletchings. Depending on the arrow shafts I will set up for 3 vane or 4 vanes with a helical twist. I like being able to have more control over the shot.
There are tons of brands to pick from though in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Each does something a little different and honestly picking the perfect vane setup for you may take some time. Some trial and error over a couple of seasons.
JIG YOUR FLETCHING
Which Jig do you have? There are cheap $25 jigs that can get the job done you can spend some serious money on a Jig setup. If you are just testing out if this whole setup is for you, then a cheap jig setup could get you by. But if you plan on setting up your own fletching from now on you might consider purchasing a Bitzenburger’s Fletching Jig. I personally have one and have had zero issues. There is a large dial to keep the spacing between each fletching perfect. The Allen screws on the top and bottom of the clamp magnet allow adjustments to the angle of fletchings. If you purchase from a local Pro shop, they can even go through the process and possibly set up your new jig for you.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PREP
The worst thing in this whole process would be your fletching coming off when you pull from your quiver or even worse in flight. This would only happen from poor prep work. Preparing your arrow shaft with rubbing alcohol or AAE cleaning wipes to remove dirt, oils, and films that hinder bonding or prevent the glue from setting. I prefer using AAE products only because they are convenient and have never failed me. If you are re-fletching a shaft make sure to remove all old glue during this process. Having an uneven surface will only cause issues later on.
LET’S FLETCH YOUR ARROW
Assuming that you are ready and have a Bitzenburger’s Fletching Jig, place an arrow shaft in the jig nock side down. You will notice there is a spacing of 120 degrees 3 fletch, 75 degrees x 105 degrees 4 fletch, and 90 degrees 4 fletch can be selected by a slight screw adjustment. Depending on how many vanes you want, and the degree will determine which one you will use.
While holding the Bitzenburger’s clamp place your fletching in the clamp. You can adjust the height of the fletching on the shaft by where you place it in the jig. Start by running a thin superglue bead down the length of the fletching. I use AAE MAX bond but I have been told you can use any superglue for this. Again, I use what I know works. At this point you can attach the clamp on the jig, making sure to seat it fully by adding light pressure to the shaft. Allow the glue to dry for 15 seconds, unclamp and pull away the clamp to reveal your new fletching added to the shaft. If you are satisfied with the location repeat the process.
The video below explains how to add fletchings “vanes” to an Easton 5mm carbon fiber arrow shaft. This step-by-step process gets to the point and can be used on every type of arrow shaft to get a 4-vane 2-degree helical twist setup.