Home › Forums › Bows and Equipment › Feather burner build-along

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    • wTk
      Member
        May 27, 2016 at 2:48 am
        Post count: 103
        #4250

        I’m building a feather burner and will do a build-along here so anyone who wants to build one can. Here is a picture of one someone else built that I am using as a basis.

        I’m in the process of building and will add more pictures when I have them. Here are the materials that will be used to build the burner.

        They include

        2: 1/4″ threaded rod cut to fit

        6: 1/4″ nuts and washers

        2: 1/4″ knobs

        1: lighted switch

        1: knob screw, washer, and T-nut

        1: 3/4″X1/8″ aluminum flat to be cut to length

        1: Electronic transformer

        3: Kleen-cut ribbons from 3 Rivers

        1: Cord

        2: Round connectors

        3: Spade connectors

        2: Wire nuts to be used as nock holders

        1: Box to house parts

        The transformer can be ordered here Transformer

        They’re cheap and from China so I’d advise ordering several so you have a back up. I’ve not been able to find any here. The original builder said he has used his for 3 years on the same transformer. But it takes 2-3 weeks to get here so get several.

        I’m building the box housing now and will post pictures when done.

      • wTk
        Member
        Member
          May 27, 2016 at 12:00 pm
          Post count: 103
          #32976

          Here is the box/housing roughed in and sealed. Its made with spalted Chinese elm that my friend Ralph cut in his saw mill. I think I need to stick to building bows not boxes though.

        • grumpy
          Member
            May 28, 2016 at 12:45 am
            Post count: 962
            #39630

            There is a thread about 3 years old where I showed how to burn feathers (with pics). Go find it.

            Remember the smoke from burning feathers can kill you. When the Romans were fighting the Greeks, the Roman sappers digging under the walls were poisoned by burning feathers. All of the sappers died, you can too. If you don’t have a outside outlet for your, whatever, my son is an electrician. On the other hand I have burn shaped dozens of feathers with a propane torch and a brass form.

            Fly tiers have been shaping feathers that way for far over half a century. I have a couple dozen forms for various shaped fly wings.

          • wTk
            Member
            Member
              May 28, 2016 at 4:27 am
              Post count: 103
              #41531

              Thanks Grumpy, good advise!

              OK just doing the final finish work but here is the build after the box is built. I Started by cutting a 3/4″ wide by 1/8″ deep dado across the front. Then drill a hole that the T-nut is driven into from the inside. This will hold the lock knob for the arrow holder’s slide adjustment.

              Use a wood dowel to drive the teeth of the T-nut into the wood.

              The arrow holder has a 2″ wide slot allowing the arrow to be positioned correctly.

              Cut a 1″ by 1/2″ square hole for the switch. (Or match whatever switch you decide to use) I centered the switch on the top.

              Drill holes for the ribbon terminals 1″ back from the front and 1 1/2″ down from the top.

              Add nuts and washers to lock the terminal bolts in place.Double nut the terminals on the outside to give clearance for the ribbon.

              I attached 2 spacer blocks under the transformer to make room for air circulation.

              The wiring will depend on whether you use a lighted switch or one without the light. A jumper wire is attached to the Main cord and the (RED) transformer wire with a wire nut. (If you don’t use a lighted switch you do not need the jumper wire.) The other Main cord wire plugs on to the switch. Lastly the remaining (RED) wire from the transformer plugs on to the switch. The 2 white 12V wires from the transformer are attached to the ribbon terminals.

              Here is the unit put together, on, and the wire hot. I did’t spend much time forming the ribbon or setting the clearance. I had an arrow with 4″ four fletch that I ran through the burner. You rotate the arrow away from you rather than towards you because or you will have burnt off feathers fall on the next feather to be burnt. Use a fingernail emery board and brush the burnt off the edge of the fletch.

              I will add several more coats of finish and it will be ready to do a dozen arrows in no time at all.

              HINT 1: BEFORE TRYING TO SHAPE THE RIBBON PUT IT ON THE BURNER AND HEAT IT RED HOT FOR A BIT WHICH MAKES IT EASIER TO SHAPE.

              HINT 2: CUT A FEATHER SHAPE OUT OF MASONITE OR SIMILAR 1/8″-1/4″ THICK MATERIAL THE FORM THE RIBBON AROUND IT.

              There you go make your own.

            • wTk
              Member
              Member
                May 28, 2016 at 11:34 am
                Post count: 103
                #44956

                An Aussie said something that should have been so obvious I shook my head and why didn’t I think of that. Stand the box so the arrow holder is upright then the arrow will set in it perfectly. Duh of course.

              • longbow_hunter
                  May 28, 2016 at 1:52 pm
                  Post count: 10
                  #46127

                  Please excuse my ignorance on the subject, but what is the purpose of burning feathers? Is it to create the profile? Is it an alternative to using a chopper? I just buy 5″ rw shield cuts and fletch them so I’m unfamiliar with the burning process. Thanks.

                • wTk
                  Member
                  Member
                    May 28, 2016 at 2:06 pm
                    Post count: 103
                    #46218

                    Yes its used to shape the fetching. Its advantage over a chopper is you can make just about any custom shape you want.

                  • bruc
                    Member
                      May 29, 2016 at 12:38 am
                      Post count: 476
                      #51065

                      Very well done tutorial !!!!

                      Bruce

                    • Ralph
                      Moderator
                        May 29, 2016 at 1:24 am
                        Post count: 2580
                        #51401

                        Doin good!

                        Just remind everyone that some things in life best not be done in the house and burning feathers is right close to the top of the list. 😀

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