Fletch-tite ???

[richard roop]

#140820

Is anybody else having problems with adhesion using Fletch-Tite ???

I’ve been using that glue for something like four decades with zero problems but of late my feathers are popping off. Doesn’t seem to matter if I fletch on a rattle can end cap or onto a bare shaft.

I’ve heard rumors that the formula was changed to be Calif. compliant.  ????

[Raymond Coffman]

#140825

Richard

I don’t know – I Havn’t used any of the more recent stuff for fletching . Switched to the tape a couple years ago —

Scout aka Ray

[richard roop]

#140827

Ok ……………… Talk to me about tape. I’ve seen ads but never considered using it ’cause I do a lot of spliced fletching.

These feathers popping loose is really becoming annoying.  The one this morning was off of a shaft that had been prepped with m.e.k. and glued to bare metal.

[Raymond Coffman]

#140842

Richard

I use the Bohning premium feather fetching tape. Basically 2 sided tape on a roll, put it on a feather, pull off the backing, place it on the shaft, put a dab of glue fore and aft and your done. I have some practice shafts that the feathers are almost worn off, but they are still stuck on the shaft. Takes s little knack to get started but it is pretty simple and not as messy.

Scout aka Ray

[Stephen Graf]

#140844

I too made the switch to tape several years ago.  As with all things, there are pro’s and cons…

On the pro side, it is easy to use, fast, and mostly reliable.

On the con side, it does pop loose under certain circumstances.  If the arrow gets left in the car and gets hot, or in high humidity during the summer, I have had problems with adhesion.  I have also had problem with the removable backing on the tape with a couple roles.  The backing didn’t peel off as one piece, but instead broke up into fine strips as I removed it.  Those 2 roles were a pain to apply.

You still need to put a dab of glue on the leading and trailing edge of the feather to keep it down.  For that I I use what’s left of my fletch -tite, or duco.  Whatever I grab first.

I doubt I’ll ever go back to glueing fletching.

Just wondering – can you tell if the glue remains on the feather, or the shaft, when it fails?  The only time I had trouble with Fletch-tite was if it skinned over before the 2 surfaces were brought together.  If the air is dry, and you wait too long after putting the glue on the feather before affixing it to the shaft, the glue may form a dry skin which will prevent adhesion to the shaft.

[richard roop]

#140847

Glue remains on the feather.

Pretty sure that the glue isn’t skinning over. It was pretty hot when I made up the last batch but it was apply the glue to the feather and set the clamp in the jig.  15 minutes on the timer & do the next set. Effort is made to ensure that the shafts are not touched after the m.e.k. prep.  I thought that possibly the m.e.k. in a metal can had drawn a bit of moisture and was contaminated so I replaced it with new. Same problem. Also have used a couple of different brands of rattle can for the end cap. Hasn’t helped.

I was making arrows before I made arrows for Robin Hood and this is really becoming annoying.

[Stephen Graf]

#140854

I looked at the Bohning website and it has some fletching instructions which state that if the humidity is 70% or higher, not to use Fletch-tite.  This is the time of year when humidity can be a problem…

Here’s the link: https://issuu.com/bohning/docs/fletching_instructions

Since the glue remained on the feather, it’s still my guess that the glue skinned over, or reacted in some other way with the humidity, thus fouling up the bond when applied to the arrow shaft.

[richard roop]

#140862

Here in Arizona we tend to think that 35% is really high humidity but I have noticed that the fletch seems to be more of a problem when it’s humid (for here).

I’m going to order some different glue and the tape to try. I have a half doz. cobalt blue 2213s on the way that are going to look awesome in my quiver next to the golds I normally shoot.  Going to get this nonsense figured out ……………

[Ronald Schoening]

#140889

I use bohning fletch fuse great stuff, put feathers on aluminum arrows still there no problems .

[richard roop]

#140892

Isn’t ‘Fletch Fuse’ cynoacriliate ester (sp) aka Crazy Glue ????

[Max Young]

#140935

The last time I used the Platinum, I glued directly to my XX75s. Worked great………until I was on stand on a very damp and humid West Virginia day. I literally watched as my feathers fell, one by one, from my arrows and drifted to the ground like the fall leaves. Had it happened to someone else, I would have been giggling like a kid…..It actually was kind of funny.

[David Coulter]

#140956

Hi Guys, I’m a tape guy, too. Easy, reliable. One thing I do, which might be a help to solve your glue issue, is I break the finish lightly with a scotch bright pad. Just a bit to take the sheen off, then I wipe it with alcohol. It takes a bit to get the tape to release, even in very cold stumping shoots or very warm weather. Have fun, dwc

 

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