When you get started in archery there is nothing more exciting. Having the opportunity to shoot a bow and arrow at a target or even while hunting is a thrill that simply cannot be explained. However, as you become more involved with archery, you may find that you are not as satisfied with the pre-fletched arrows that you find on the shelves of your local sporting goods store. If this is the case, you will more than likely want to start fletching your arrows yourself, meaning you will need to find the best fletching jig to do so. Here is everything that you need to know about arrow fletching and finding the best fletching jigs as well.
What is a Fletching Jig?
A fletching jig is essentially a device that has been designed to hold the shaft of an arrow in place, allowing you to repeatedly and accurately glue the vanes onto the arrow shaft in a configuration that you have predetermined. So a fletching jig allows you to glue vanes onto the shaft of your arrow in any configuration you choose.
Now keep in mind that a fletching jig is not going to do all of the work for you. In fact, you will actually still need to do all of the work of gluing on the vanes. What it will do though, is to ensure that those vanes are all spaced out correctly and then hold them there in a helical pattern or any given offset while the glue is drying.
What are the Different Fletching Types?
While you are out deciding which fletching jig will be the best for your individual requirements, it is ideal if you know the type of fletching you will be applying to your arrow. This is because there are many different types of fletching styles, as well as different spacings and numbers of fletches. Because of this, one of the most important things you will need to keep in mind while you are searching for the best fletching jigs is that they are all not going to be able to support each and every type of fletching.
What this means, is that there is a chance that depending upon the type of fletching you are planning on doing, you may need to get a specific type of insert or clamp for your desired type of spacing or fletching.
Before you can decide which fletching jig will be the best one for your style of fletching, it would help if you understood the different style of fletching types. Here are the most common types of fletching:
1. Straight Fletching
This is one of the more basic styles of fletching. With this style, your vanes will sit straight and in-line with your arrow’s shaft. This translates to your arrow having very little or even no spin on it while it is in flight.
2. Offset Fletching
With this style of fletching, you will apply the vanes at an angle in regard to the straight line of the arrow, that angle slightly going to the right or left. If you are trying to increase the amount of rotation that your arrow has while it is in flight, offset fletching will do just that. Most higher quality arrow fletching jigs will allow adjustments to get the offset angle that you desire.
3. Helical Fletching
This is when the vanes are applied to your arrow shaft in a twisted way that is typically offset. When done correctly, you will notice that the helical style gives them an appearance that is similar to the propeller blades on an airplane. Helical fletching is something that can be done to the left (referred to as left helical), as well as to the right (referred to as right helical).
When you use left helical, it causes your arrow to spin clockwise once fired. As for right helical, you can expect your arrow to spin counterclockwise. No matter if you do a left or right helical fletching, it typically requires the use of a specific clamp or jig.
4. Flu-Flu Fletching
To properly flu-flu fletch, you have many vanes that are independently used to create as much drag on your arrow as possible, the whole idea of this style being to limit how far your arrow goes. This fletch is normally applied with a regular arrow fletching jig and a lot of repetition of spacing with the indexer for the different vanes.
5. Spin Wings Fletching
This is a fletch that allows for as much spin on your arrow as possible. This is a special type of vane that has been curled and designed to allow maximum spin. Due to this style of vanes nature, most fletching jigs are not going to support them straight out of the box. This means that you may need to get a special clamp for your fletching jig in order to apply these vanes. The jigs will, however, all you need to get the correct alignment and spacing for spin wings.
Why the Number of Fletchings and Spacing Are Important?
Typically speaking, most arrows are normally fletched with either 3 vanes or 4. There are not actually any ‘rules’ about how many vanes can be added to an arrow. This means that if 3 vanes are too many, use less. If 3 vanes are not enough, use more. It all depends upon how much stability is required by your arrows. It is not uncommon to find arrows that have 2, 6, or even 8 fletches.
These are the configurations that can most commonly be found being used:
The Materials of a Jig
You may be wondering what you can expect out of your jig. What type of material is the jig constructed out of? How long can you expect the jig to last? These are all excellent questions, and you should make sure you have the answers to them prior to choosing a jig. Luckily for you, there are pretty much only two different jig materials that you are able to choose from.
Aluminum Construction
Aluminum jigs will practically last forever and are extremely easy to clean. This is definitely a huge plus as your fletching jig will eventually get some type of glue deposits all over it. This is simply inevitable when you are fletching your own arrows.
Plastic Construction
Plastic jigs will be much more affordable than their aluminum counterparts but are not going to be as easy to clean. So when you try to remove any dried-on glue deposits, there is a much higher chance that you can scratch the surface of your jig or worse, damage the jig. If you do decide to use a plastic jig, be sure to have acetate nearby. This will allow you to easily remove any glue that may get spill onto your jig.
What are the Arrow Shaft and Nock Support?
In order to understand how to properly select a fletching jig, there are a few different terms that you will need to understand. Otherwise, you may find that the jig you selected is not able to accommodate the fletching style you are trying to do.
1. Arrow Length
This is not typically an issue that you will need to worry about with most fletching jigs. The only time that the length of your arrow may be a factor is if you are using a heavier shaft that has been tipped with some type of broadhead. In this situation, there is a good chance that your jig may tip over. So if you are planning on using your jig for something like this, make sure that it has been properly mounted to something heavy that has a solid base. Most jigs you use will hold arrows at an angle of 45 degrees in order to reduce any potential tipping effect.
2. Arrow Diameter
The diameter of your arrow and the nock type are things that you may want to keep an eye on. You must make sure that the jig you are thinking about purchasing is able to securely hold the diameter of your arrow’s shaft you are planning to fletch. The last thing that you want to have happen is to have your micro and small-diameter arrow shafts wobbling around while in your jig because they are not supported by the nock receiver or the jig.
3. Crossbow Bolts
There is a very good chance that most crossbow bolts will be supported by the fletching jig you decide to use, right out of the box. If not, you may need to find a replacement nock receiver that has specifically been designed to accommodate crossbow nocks.
4. Wooden, Carbon or Aluminum Arrows
When it comes to the different materials that your arrows may be made out of, it should not have any bearing on a good fletching jig. This is because the jigs have been designed to hold the shaft of the arrow in place. If the jig you are using is good, it will be able to support the fletching of any shaft material; wooden, carbon, or aluminum arrows. There is no real concern in regard to the jig you are using and the type of material that your arrow shaft is made from.
How to Fletch an Arrow
Fletching an arrow is not as difficult as you may think if you are using the best fletching jig.
Here is a step by step guide on how you can fletch your own arrows
- Once you have set up your fletching jig, take and secure the arrow shaft into that jig.
- Make sure to double-check the alignment on your vane clamp on the arrow shaft.
- Take the vane clamp and remove it from the jig completely.
- Next, it is time to prime a vane.
- Place a vane into the clamp.
- Put some glue onto the vane in the clamp.
- Place the clamp back onto the fletching jig that you are using.
- Give the glue several seconds to set itself up.
- Un-clamp the vane from the clamp and remove it away from the jig.
- You will now have an arrow shaft with a vane attached to it.
- Rotate the arrow in the jig and repeat the same process for the desired number of fletches.
Summary
While it may sound like a lot of work to fletch your own arrows, as soon as you have completed the fletch on a few arrows, you should have no problem fletching all of your arrows in a relatively quick amount of time. On top of that, you may find that you really enjoy how relaxing creating the fletch of an arrow can be.
On a side note, you may be thinking to yourself that you don’t need to use a fletching jig in order to fletch your arrows. Archers have not always had the option to use fletching jigs in order to fletch their arrows, right?
While you are correct, the main problem with not using a fletching jig to fletch your arrows will be with how accurate your application is going to be. When you use a jig to fletch your arrows, you can guarantee that you will have 100% accuracy every single time when you use the 3 right helical fletches that has a spacing of 120 degrees. Without the use of a fletching jig, it is very likely that you will not be able to repeat this 100% accuracy rate.
The Best Fletching Jigs
Now that you know all about fletching jigs and why they are such an essential tool when it comes to archery, you may be wondering which one is the best on the market. While this is ultimately going to be subjective, these are the fletching jigs that are able to provide you with everything that you require. However, it can very quickly become overwhelming rather fast, in regard to finding the right fletching jig.
But have no fear! Below are the top 5 greatest fletching jigs that will help you fletch your arrows as quickly as possible. Now you must remember (as was mentioned earlier), not every jig will be able to accommodate every fletching need right out of the box. So be sure that you know the type of fletch you plan on doing in advance and you should have no problems at all.
1. Bitzenburger Fletching Jig
Also referred to as a ‘Dial-O-Fletch’, the Bitzenburger Fletching Jig just happens to be one of the most respected, popular, and easy to use jigs on the market today. Ideal for archers of every experience level, this fletching tool has been designed to provide the perfect way for fletching arrows. Now keep in mind that this particular jig is on the more costly side, but that only means that the aluminum construction will essentially last you an entire lifetime. So yes, this is the first and last jig that you will ever need to purchase in order to fletch your arrows.
If this is the arrow fletching jig that you decide is right for you, do yourself a favor and make sure that it comes with the correct clamp. Depending upon where you purchase this jig, it may not come with a clamp. This would mean you must order the right one for your needs (either a straight clamp, a left helical clamp, or a right helical clamp).
Pros
As previously mentioned, the one main downside with this jig is that it is not necessarily in everybody’s budget.
2. Bohning Pro Class
Designed to be similar to the very popular Bitzenburger jig, the Bohning Pro Class may surprise you with how similar the Bohning Pro Class jig really is to the more expensive competitor. Able to accommodate arrows of just about any size, you are able to choose the degree of the fletching offset you would like to use. As with other jigs, you are able to purchase additional styles of clamps if you require them, this jig does come with an included clamp (either straight clamp, right, or left helical) and is able to support feathers or vanes as long as 5.5”.
Pros
While the pros are far going to outweigh any cons with the Bohning Pro Class, the main downside is that this jig is constructed out of plastic. As previously mentioned, this means you have the potential to make removing glue and its overall durability questionable. You will need to make sure you use glue on the vanes that is easily dissolved (for when it leaks onto the jig).
3. BPE Pro Series Fletcher
This is a great jig as it will normally come with one of the specific clamps (straight, right, or left helical). This means that you will not necessarily need to purchase any additional clamps, saving you some of your hard-earned money. But you should know that the option for additional clamps to support your different fletching styles is also available if required. What makes the BPE Pro Series Fletcher so different than many of the other ones on this list, is the fact that it is constructed with both glass-filled nylon and aluminum. This just means that the jig is extremely durable and can be easily used for both commercial and personal use as well.
Pros
The one downside here, though, is that any glue leakage does have the potential of getting on the nylon parts, so make sure to have some acetate on hand.
4. Bohning Helix Tower
If you are looking for a jig that will allow you to fletch 3 vanes that are at 120 degrees and have a 3-degree helical configuration to the right, the Bohning helix tower fletching jig is exactly what you need. Designed to hold any type of arrow no matter the length or weight, your arrow’s shaft is actually held vertically with this jig (hence it is called a helix tower fletching jig). Once the shaft has been secured within the jig, all you need to do is open up the arms and put your vanes in. Add some glue, put the arms back and then use one of the two included clamps to secure the vanes in place on the arrow. They will then apply the recommended amount of pressure in order to secure the vanes to the arrow’s shaft. If it sounds extremely simple, that’s because it is.
Pros
While this helix tower fletching jig is extremely simple and easy to use, it is not without its downside either. The arms used to hold the vanes in place are plastic, meaning they can very easily get glue on them. There is an included protective tape that comes with this fletching jig, but if you forget to use it you run the risk of potential damage from glue cleanup.
5. Arizona Carbon E-Z Fletch Fletching Tool
This is one fletching tool that you will definitely want to consider for any fletch job. One of the higher-rated jigs available, this fletching tool allows you to easily fletch the whole arrow at one time. This means that you are able to fletch all 3 vanes at one time. Not having as many features as some of the other jigs on this list, the main downside is that you are only able to do one style of fletching. In order to do another style of fletching would require a different model of the jig.
Pros
As previously mentioned, depending upon the style of fletching you are trying to do, it may require more than one variation of this jig. Also, the plastic construction means that excess glue has the potential to cause damage as well.
Conclusion
Finding the best jig for your fletching needs is no easy task. With all of the different options available to you, it can become very overwhelming, and fast. The jigs listed above, however, are the best of the best and will more than likely be able to handle any and all of your fletching needs. While the jigs listed above are the best fletching jigs on the market today, the best is going to be the Bitzenburger Fletching Jig. From how easy to use it is, the fantastic features, and the quality of construction, this is a jig that is simply hard to beat!