Hey guys. New to the club, and just started fletching my own arrows. And I decided to just go ahead with the bearpaw fletching jig. I like it, mostly, but I am having the biggest trouble with the plastic clamp. I feel like it doesn't close all the way, and after my.First dozen arrows, it already has glue all over it, being my first time.fletching, and it being plastic means I can damage it in cleaning. It's just more hassle than I want right now.
But I like the rest of the jig, so I'm wondering if there are any metal clamps that are interchangeable with the bearpaw jig. I searched for this answer an found that Bitz clamps fit a lot of other jigs, and it sounds like what I need, so long as I can confirm it'll fit my jig.
Does anyone know?
Usually the plastic clamps are desirable because the glue doesn't stick to the clamps.
Might have more luck if you posted on PowWow.
Don't use quite so much glue. It doesn't take that much, just a thin coat. After your feather (or vane) has set, put a dab on the front end where it meets the arrow shaft. You won't have any problems then and you'll save yourself a whole lot of mess.
I personally use the JoJan 6 arrow jig. I'll never one at a time it again!
I use bowstring wax on the inside of my clamp and along the edge of the clamp it keeps the glue from sticking to it.
Feather tape!!!! That's all I use.
X2 on the fletching tape! Super fast and I have never had one come off on me. But when I want to replace a badly worn fletch it is pretty easy to do without messing up my wrap.
X3 on fletch tape.
I ordered some Fletcher tape, but I'm still interested in a metal clamp.
I've gotten better at not gluing the feather to the clamp, I just feel like this is such a nice, substantial rig, with what feels like a cheap clamp.
I use Teflon tape on my metal clamps. You can even by pre cut pieces from 3rivers. I have the tape on my Blitz jig. Clamps.
Lately I have been using NPV glue from Saunders. It does not dry hard like Ducco or Fletch Tite. I can "roll" the residue from the clamp with my fingers.
Wax the clamp and be less sloppy applying the glue. After the glue is set you can scrape it off a waxed clamp with a thumb nail.
I line both sides of all my fletching clamps with blue painters tape. It is usually good for twenty to thirty sets of a dozen arrows each before it needs replaced. Any glue that sticks to it comes off easily with my finger nail or the back of a utility knife blade.
Wax works but good but need applied fairly often and gets on the feathers.
There is a thread on Pow Wow regarding Fletch tape, I posted my thoughts on it there.