Glues for sticking feathers to lacquered wood shafts

[Ian Turner]

Hi all,
What is a good glue/adhesive for glueing feathers to lacquered or painted shafts?
Cheers
Ian

[Stickbow Hunter]

I have used Loctite 406 since way back in the 1990's and recently tried Loctite Super Glue 'Precision' and both are excellent. It is very quick drying which I find a real advantage. I just put a dob of Fletchtite on the front and rear of the flights. I use the Fletchtite for putting my nocks on also. The Loctite Super Glue 'Precision' 5g bottles are available from Bunnings. Only small bottles but one will fletch a lot of arras.

I always have some in my archery tackle box when I go bush. It comes in handy for many different applications.

Jeff

[Trad Bound]

Locktite is good, can leave a white residue finish. Have you considered fletching tape. Fast and very effective once you get the swing of it.
TonyJ

[Gilly]

We use fletching tape now, nice and easy!!

[Roadie]

Hi Ian,I only use Fletching Tape, can get it from John Mc, little Fiddly at first, but once you get the Hang of it, EASY. Cheers Roadie.

[Trad Bound]

And no Malt Wiskey whilst doing it.
Hi Roadie how are you and the Bride travelling.
TonyJ

[Roadie]

Hi Tony, Now I know why I have 4 feathers on some shafts, 3 on some and 6 on others. Will we see you at the Wiseman shoot. All OK here. Cheers Roadie.

[Ian Turner]

Hi guys,
I always wondered if fletching tape is any good particularly on helical fletches; i envisaged feathers coming loose pretty quickly.
Up untill now I have used the selleys shockproof superglue when sticking the feathers on to bare wood and then lacquering between the feathers with a paint brush; some what labourious and wondered what glues would stick to a lacquered shaft making arrow making a whole lot easier.
Cheers
Ian

[Gilly]

Our shafts have around 10 layers of floor lacquer on them and the tape sticks fine! We do always put a dot of shockproof on the bottom of the feather once we have done them all. Have not really had any dramas with them at all!

[Fraser]

Ian, I currently use the same locktite precision as Jeff, It sticks to Danish oil, true oil, oil based paint, and varnish (satin or sheen). You can seal your shafts first and then fletch them. I only use helical fletching and have no problems. I don't bother to put a drop of fletchtite at the front and back of the fletch unless I use fletch tape. The super glue works on nocks as well if you use lots of it, can't even get the nocks of with pliers. I ran out of arildite the other day and even used it on a field tip, field tip is still stuck on at this stage.

Fraser.

[little arrows]

Fletching tape, with dobs top and bottom of feather to stop lifting.

cheers
sue

[Stickbow Hunter]

I don't bother to put a drop of fletchtite at the front and back of the fletch unless I use fletch tape.

Shooting your self bow with the arra resting on ya finger you may at some point decide it prudent to put a dob of Fletchtite or similar on the very front of the quill of ya feathers mate.

Jeff

[Trad Bound]

Fletching tape, with dobs top and bottom of feather to stop lifting.

cheers
sue

Ian
I would suggest Sue would know as there is a rumour about the trad scene that she shares her...........abode with an arrowmaker/fletcher and that said person buys their fletching tape buy the box load. I say no more as this is a family forum.

[Buranurra]

Is there a preferred brand of fletch tape or one to be avoided?

[Trad Bound]

Bohning is good, jcm has it, so does Trad Bits. If you are coming to Wisemans jcm (John) will be there and I'm sure he will have some onsite.
TonyJ

[Fraser]

I don't bother to put a drop of fletchtite at the front and back of the fletch unless I use fletch tape.

Shooting your self bow with the arra resting on ya finger you may at some point decide it prudent to put a dob of Fletchtite or similar on the very front of the quill of ya feathers mate.

Jeff

I've taken to binding the fletches front and rear, stops them from scratching my hand. And with self nocks it makes them look more original. Although I've read the ABA don't like self nocks.

Fraser.

[Stickbow Hunter]

I've taken to binding the fletches front and rear, stops them from scratching my hand.

All good then as they have been known to more than just scratch.

Jeff

[ron300wm]

Yes looking at a scar on my hand

[Fraser]

Yes looking at a scar on my hand

I guess that's why you can by gloves for your bow hand.

[ron300wm]

Uap wood help