Sections

Arrow Fletching

  • Arrow Preparation

    • The most important part of adhesion is the proper cleaning of the arrow shaft. Failing to properly
      prepare the shafts can cause serious adhesion problems.
    • We recommend cutting the shaft and installing all necessary hardware prior to cleaning the shaft for fletching. This minimizes handling of the shaft and reduces risk of contamination.
    • Arrows should be fletched as soon as possible after cleaning to keep the shaft from becoming
      contaminated. There are 2 steps in arrow shaft preparation.
    • Step 1) Cleaning shaft. Arrow builders use different chemicals to remove old adhesive, paint or arrow wraps from the shaft. Acetone, lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol are a few of the solutions that work very well for this. Wipe the shaft until all old residue is gone. Remember that this is only the first step.
    • Step 2) Prepping the shaft surface. Using hot water, wash the shaft with an abrasive detergent, such as the environmentally safe Bohning SSR Arrow Shaft Surface Cleaner. Scrub with a scotch-brite pad until shaft appears dull. Rinse in hot water and air dry. (This will bring the PH level on the surface of the shaft as close to zero as possible, allowing for the absolute best adhesion).
    There is no need to clean the vane bases before fletching. The base of every
    Bohning vane is chemically treated to promote excellent adhesion.
    All Bohning vanes have the best adhesion when used within 2 years from the date of manufacture.

    Vanes are available in the Blazer™, X-Vane and Killer vane lines and are available in 12 vibrant colors.

    • Colors:
      Black (BK), White (WH), Red (RD), Yellow (YE), Dark Green (DG), Orange (OR), Neon Pink (NP), Blue (BL), Neon Yellow (NY), Neon Orange (NO), Neon Red (NR), and Neon Green (NG).
      Size Grain Weight
      11/32"13.5
      5/16"10.4
      • Blazer Nock – A small, press fit nock designed for "D"-loops. The Blazer nock has smaller head with a double lock feature that is just tight enough to keep your shaft on your string without effecting its realease when shot. Fits Easton Uni-bushing® system & standard carbon shafts. Made of durable, impact resistant polycarbonate.

        Blazer Nock Colors:

        • White (WH), Black (BK), Neon Yellow (NY), Neon Orange (NO), Neon Green (NG), Rose (RS), Lime (LM) and Apricot (AP).
        Size Grain Weight
        Standard9.0


        T Nock         – For swedged-end shafts. T Nocks are engineered to fit securely on the serving specifically for smaller diameter bowstrings and short axle to axle bows. The nock is recessed at the bottom of the throat for string relief when the arrow is drawn at full draw. Safety nodes are built into the inside rear of the nock throat to keep the arrow on the bowstring during let down. Throat diameter is 0.015". T Nocks have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Available in 11/32", 5/16", 9/32" and ¼" and in a variety of colors.

        T Nock Colors:

        • White (WH), Black (BK), Yellow (YE), Rose (RS), Lime (LM) and Apricot (AP).
        Size Grain Weight
        11/32"16.0
        5/16"14.0
        9/32"8.3
        1/4"6.2


        Signature Nock         – The Bohning Signature Nock is a tunable insert nock made of a high-impact material. It provides perfect nock / arrow alignment in a streamlined design. The nock throat is designed to help insure the arrow will remain on the bowstring during draw or let down. This one-size press-fit nock requires no adhesive. Fits the Easton Uni-bushing system and oversized carbon shaft perfectly. Throat diameter is 0.111". Signature Nocks have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Available in one standard size and in a variety of colors.

        Signature Nock Colors:

        • White (WH), Black (BK), Neon Yellow (NY), Neon Orange (NO), Neon Green (NG), Rose (RS), Lime (LM) and Apricot (AP).
        Size Grain Weight
        Standard13.0


        Nock-Out Tool         – Used for easy installation, removal or alignment of your Signature Nock. Will not damage nocks.


        Pro-Class Fletching Jig         – Perfect fletching every time. Quick-set magnetic clamp adjustment. Available with a Straight, R.W. Helical or L.W. Helical clamp. See instructions below for setting up your fletching Jig.


        Arrow Fletching Kit         – Everything you need to fletch carbon, aluminum, fiberglass and wood arrows. Install nocks, inserts and fletchings easily. The instructional video takes you step by step through the entire arrow building process. Kit includes:

        • Fletch-Tite
        • Bond-Tite
        • Ferr-L-Tite
        • Signature nocks
        • "T" Nocks
        • 4" & 5" Vanes
        • Pro-Class Fletching Jig
        • SSR Arrow Shaft Surface Cleaner
        • Arrow Building Video
      • White (WH), Black (BK), Yellow (YE), Lime (LM), Red (RD), Orange (OR).

      Classic Nock Colors:


      Classic Nock       – A traditional nock for all finger shooters. Incorporates an indexer for quick and easy alignment. Deep, soft-snap throat is designed to quietly snap onto the string and release faster. The throat diameter is .0118". Classic Nocks have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Available in 11/32" and 5/16" in a variety of colors.

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  • Arrow Fletching

    Arrow Fletching
    Using Your Pro Class Fletching Jig: (Vanes or feathers)
    Place the arrow in the jig with the nock installed. Place the vane in the clamp (do not add glue yet).
    Place the clamp in the jig against the magnet so the vane makes contact with the arrow shaft. Sight down the shaft and check to ensure the vane is centered on the shaft. Be sure both ends of the vane seat well on the shaft. If not, adjust the clamp to the right or left to ensure the vane is positioned properly.
    Note: Right wing vanes go from left to right and left wing vanes go from right to left. You are able to increase the offset to the right or left, by adjusting the front end of the magnet. Loosen knurled knob and adjust front of clamp either right or left to achieve desired offset. Make sure the vane base remains in full contact with the shaft. You must pay attention to the diameter of the shaft, because the smaller the diameter of the shaft the less offset you can apply to your fletch. The larger the diameter of the shaft the greater the offset you can apply to your vane. This also means that you must reset your jig when fletching different size arrows. Be sure you follow the instructions from above to ensure the vane makes contact with the shaft along the entire base of the fletch.
    Place the vane into the clamp, ensure that you use the same index mark of the clamp with each vane. Apply an even bead of glue to the vane base. Quickly apply the clamp to the magnet on the jig and press firmly to the shaft. Let stand for 2 to 5 minutes. Squeeze the clamp open and remove from the magnet so that you can rotate the jig to the next vane position. Turn indexing knob until it snaps into next detent (3 vane configuration has 3 detents, 4 vane configuration has 4). Apply the remaining two vanes in the same manner. Remove the clamp after you have fletched your final vane and the glue has set. Remove your arrow from the jig and dot both ends of each vane with adhesive. This will allow you more vane support if your arrow completely penetrates the target.

    Caution: Feathers will require you to set up your jig differently than vanes. Feathers have a base on one side only. Vanes have a base on two sides. Vanes are manufactured straight so they can be fletched either with a right or left angle. Feathers have a natural curve to them being right or left wing curve. You must use only right wing feathers to have a fletch angle to the right and left wing feathers to have a left wing angle. You cannot mix right and left wing feathers on the same shaft. Bohning Pro Class Fletching Jig clamps are available in either a natural right wing helical or a left wing helical. You can also choose a straight clamp that will allow you to fletch with a right or left offset angle without a helical.

    Using Your Tower Fletching Jig: (Up to 4 inch vanes only)
    We recommend a solvent based adhesive such as Platinum as the jig clamps are made from Acetal and will clean up much easier. If using a Cynoacrylate or "quick-set" adhesive, you must first place Teflon Tape on the edges of the clamps vane slots to prevent them from adhering to the shaft.
    Make certain the lever on the base is all the way to the right. Load vanes into each of the three clamps making certain the vanes are fully seated in the slots and the leading edge of the vanes point toward the top of the clamp. Apply fletching adhesive to the base of the vanes in a thin bead starting from the top moving towards the center of the Tower. Place the arrow shaft on the center post. Manually tilt the clamps up into position against the arrow shaft. Select the correct split ring (red for carbon and smaller diameter, black for larger carbon and aluminum) and slide it into place over the clamps in the "up" position, keeping the notch aligned with one of the indicator lines on the end of the clamps. Push the lever on the base to the left, moving the slides forward and slide the split ring down slightly, locking the arms in place against the arrow shaft. Leave the arms locked for 3 to 5 minutes (solvent based adhesive) or 1 to 2 minutes (instant glue).
    Remove the ring from the raised clamps, push the lever on the base to the right, releasing the slides to move the clamps away from the shaft. Open the arms manually and remove the shaft. Dot both ends of each vane with adhesive. This will allow you more vane support if your arrow completely penetrates the target.

    Using Your Blazer Fletching Jig: (Up to 3 inch vanes only)
    Seat the throat of the nock on the "V" inside the nock receiver at the lower end of the fixture.  The large knob should be positioned so that "Bohning Archery" can be read in the upright position.    
    Before fletching the first arrow, the Blazer Fletching Jig must be set up for the size shaft being fletched.  With the switch in the "ON" position, place a vane without adhesive in the slot of the clamp and place the clamp on the jig so that the clips lock on the arrow shaft.  Loosen the small knob at the upper end of the fixture to adjust the arrow rest to eliminate any gap between the vane base and the arrow shaft.  Tighten the small knob and remove the clamp (we recommend a solvent base adhesive, such as Platinum.  The jig clamp is made from Acetal and will clean up easier using a solvent based glue.  If using a Cynoacrylate or "quick-set" adhesive, you must first place Teflon Tape on edges of the clamp vane slot to prevent them from adhering to the shaft).  Load the vane in the clamp, making certain that the switch is in the "ON" position.  The rear of the vane should be pressed against the switch.  Apply adhesive to the vane base, working from top to bottom.  Align the bottom of the clamp against the base of the jig.  Push the clamp into place so that the clips lock onto the arrow shaft.  There should be continuous contact between the base of the vane and the arrow shaft.
    Leave the clamp in place for 1 to 2 minutes for instant adhesive, or 3 to 5 minutes for solvent-based adhesive.  After the clamping time has elapsed, push the switch to the "OFF" position and remove the clamp by pulling up on the handle while holding the shaft down.  Turn the large knob 1/3 of one rotation (120 degrees) so that the detent locks in place.  Repeat with each vane.
    When complete, dot both ends of each vane with adhesive. This will allow you more vane support if your arrow completely penetrates the target.

    Using ArroWraps
    Clean the shaft in the same way as before fletching.  However, to prep the shaft surface, prior to applying the wrap, you should first wipe arrow shaft with denatured alcohol.  Remove wrap from backing.  Place wrap on a flat surface, adhesive side up.  Align shaft with long edge of wrap and roll with steady motion and pressure.  You can then remove any oils from the surface of the wrap using Ivory bar soap.  Fletch according to the instructions for the jig you are using.
    Removing ArroWraps:
    Option 1) Soak in hot tap water for approximately five minutes. Peel ArroWrap off.  Option 2) Heat ArroWrap with hair dryer until soft. Peel ArroWrap off.  Option 3) Scrape ArroWrap off using Bohning's new "Stripper" tool.  Always clean and prep shaft after removing ArroWrap.


    Fletching Wood Arrows (Pro Class Jig)

    1. If you are dipping your arrows, now is the time to do so. See the Arrow Dipping Section. If you are not dipping your arrows then proceed to the installation of the nock.
    2. To install the Bohning Classic nock, apply a small amount of glue, Fletch-Tite, to the tapered end of the shaft and rotate the nock to evenly disperse the glue. Allow the glue to set for 20 minutes.
    3. Now you can place the arrow into the jig. Ensure that the index fletching, the odd color that you have selected is up first.
    4. Place the vane/feather into the clamp and ensure that you are on the 4th index mark of the clamp. Apply an even bead of glue to the vane/feather base. We recommend that you use Bohning's Fletch-Tite cement for proper adhesion. Quickly apply the clamp to the magnet on the jig and press firmly to the shaft. Ensure that the vane/feather is in contact with the shaft. Let stand for about 5 to 7 minutes.
    5. Squeeze the clamp open and remove from the magnet so that you can rotate the jig to the next vane position. Apply the remaining two vanes in the same manner as in step 4. Remove the clamp after you have fletched your final vane/feather and the glue has set.
    6. Remove the arrow from the jig and dot both ends of the vane/feather with the Fletch-Tite cement. This will give your vane/feather more support if your arrow completely penetrates the target.

    Fletching Aluminum Arrows
    1. All aluminum arrows should be cleaned prior to fletching. SSR Arrow Shaft Surface Cleaner is the cleaner we recommend.
    2. Place the arrow shaft in the SSR for no longer than 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly with hot running water. Let your shafts air dry. Do not wipe dry. If you have purchased shafts that have a uni-nock already inserted, you have to remove the nock at this time. The uni-nock will hold the cleaner in the shaft and inhibit the adhesion of your vanes.
    3. If you are dipping your arrows, now is the time to do so. See Arrow Dipping Section. If you are not dipping your arrows, then you will proceed to the installation of the nock.
    4. To install the Bohning "T" nock, apply a small amount of glue, Fletch-Tite, to the tapered tip of the arrow. Place the "T" nock over the tapered portion of the shaft and rotate the nock to evenly disperse the glue. Allow the glue to set for 20 minutes. If you are using shafts equipped with uni-bushing, this is the time to press in Bohning's Signature Nock.
    5. Now you can place the arrow in the jig. Ensure that the index fletching, the odd color vane your have selected is first up.
    6. Place the vane into the clamp and ensure that you are on the 4th index mark of the clamp. Apply an even bead of glue to the vane base. We recommend that you use Bohning's Fletch-Tite Platinum™ cement for best adhesion. Quickly apply the clamp to the magnet on the jig and press firmly to the shaft. Let stand for 2 to 5 minutes.
    7. Squeeze the clamp open and remove from the magnet so that you can rotate the jig to the next vane position. Apply the remaining two vanes in the same manner as in step 6. Remove the clamp after you have fletched your final vane and the glue has set.
    8. Remove your arrow from the jig and dot both ends of the vane with Fletch-Tite cement. This will allow you more vane support if your arrow completely penetrates the target.

    Fletching Carbon Arrows
    1. All carbon arrows should be cleaned prior to fletching. SSR Arrow Shaft Surface Cleaner is the cleaner we recommend. Sometimes it is necessary to sand your carbon shafts with Scotch-Brite scrub pads. This ruffs the surface up for better adhesion. Remember to limit this to just 4 or 5 inches where your fletching will attached to the shaft.
    2. Place your arrow shaft in SSR for no longer than 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly with hot running water. Let your shafts air dry. Do not wipe dry. Make sure that if you have purchased shafts that have uni-nocks already inserted, you remove the nock at this time. The uni-nock will hold the cleaner in the shaft and inhibit the adhesion of your vanes.
    3. If you are dipping your arrows, now is the time to do so. See Arrow Dipping Section. If you are not dipping your arrows then you will proceed to the installation of the nock.
    4. Most of the newer wrapped carbon shafts use push-in nocks. Never use air-dry glues, such as Fletch-Tite Platinum or Fletch-Tite to install these nocks because they will deteriorate the plastic that the nock is made of. It may be necessary to use Bohning's Quantum-XT if your nock is loose in the shaft. This would be an excellent time to press in Bohning's Signature or Blazer Nocks.
    5. Now you can place the arrow in the jig. Ensure that the index fletching, the odd color vane you have selected is up first.
    6. Place the vane into the clamp and ensure that you are on the 4th mark of the clamp. Apply an even bead of glue to the vane base. We recommend that you use Bohning's Fletch-Tite Platinum™ cement for proper adhesion. Quickly apply the clamp to the magnet on the jig and press firmly to the shaft. Ensure that the vane is in contact with the shaft. Let stand for 2 to 5 minutes.
    7. Squeeze the clamp open and remove from the magnet so that you can rotate the jig to the next position. Apply the remaining vanes in the same manner as in step 6. Remove the clamp after you have fletched your final vane and allow the glue to set.
    8. Remove the arrow from the jig and dot both ends of the vane with the Fletch-Tite Platinum™ cement. This will give you more vane support if your arrow completely penetrates the target.

    Arrow Building DVD     – Bringing Arrow Building Home. A step by step arrow building seminar. Learn how to properly prepare, dip, crest and fletch your arrows.

    When repairing an arrow with defective fletching, it is recommended that you remove all old fletching and install new so that a consistent spacing and position of fletching is maintained. Always clean fletching area of a shaft just prior to fletching.

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