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Author Topic: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?  (Read 16729 times)

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Offline Bombadil072

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Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« on: January 18, 2014, 03:46:42 pm »
I did a cursory search, but I couldn't readily find the answer to this question?  How long should the feathers be when fletching for arrows used with a self-bow?  I am shooting a vine maple bow that pulls 55# at 28 inches.  I have been advised to try arrows around 29 inches with 125 grain field points.  I am working with the Home Depot bamboo guidelines for shafting material.  I have arrows that use 5 1/2 inch fletching, but I don't know why that length was chosen.

Who can help out with how and why to use a specific length?

Thanks,

Jerome
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Offline Mohawk13

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2014, 03:53:36 pm »
Generally a heavier arrow will require a long fletch for stable flight. Also the point weight is a factor in length...ie heavier point, longer fletch. This has been my experience in arrow building. My steel pointed, 30" arrows I use a 5" shield cut fletch. Although conversely I have been using a 5 1/2" fletch on the stone tipped arrows I have been making lately.
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2014, 04:21:09 pm »
Ideally you want fletching to be as small as you can get away with and still get good arrow flight. I have always used 5 1/2", high back fletching but some use 5" and some smaller. I think 5" to 5 1/2" would be a good place to start. As far as fletching patterns I like more traditional styles and burn my own pattern now.
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Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2014, 08:07:18 pm »
I'm with Pat B on everything, but I cut my feathers with scissors.
DBar
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Offline Bombadil072

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2014, 08:32:21 pm »
Thanks for the advice.  I was currently looking to purchase pre-cut feathers online, and didn't know if I could get away with 4 inches.  I think I will try 5 and see how they fly.

Eventually, I want to work on cutting my own, but I am taking baby steps for now.
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Offline chamookman

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2014, 06:05:55 am »
I use a Chopper and make 5 1/2" high=back Shields. Has always worked well for Me - Bob.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2014, 09:21:49 am »
I use a lot of 4" now. I was strictly a 5" guy for 12-15 years. But after playing around, I cant see a difference with 4" and I get a lot more feathers from a wing.
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Offline nclonghunter

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2014, 02:01:25 pm »
Depends....if you are shooting field points you can use smaller feathers. If shooting big broadheads then you need to keep them stable with the rear guidance system. Most bows will brace around 6 inches so you can shoot a 6 inch feather without getting into the handle. Also mentioned is shooting a heavy point. The heaver or more the FOC is on your arrow the more the feathers are effective and therefore you can go a little smaller feather size....Good Luck
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Offline PortlandJoe

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2014, 03:52:24 am »
most of my warbow shafts have fletching that are anywhere from 6-9 inches and cut nice and low.
my arrows for my #60 recurve has fletching ranging from 5-8 inches depending on the arrow and head

i try to keep my fletching cut low and long and i've been very happy with the results
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Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2014, 08:18:36 pm »
Quote from: PEARL DRUMS on January 19, 2014, 09:21:49 am
I use a lot of 4" now. I was strictly a 5" guy for 12-15 years. But after playing around, I cant see a difference with 4" and I get a lot more feathers from a wing.

Pearl,
I think your years of experience at tuning arrows to your bow has help you in that decision.  I'm just now getting to those thoughts with a few of my arrows.  but for beginner arrowsmiths  5" I think helps the learning curve and produces good flight for marginal spined arrows for a specific bow.
Just IMHO....
DBar
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Offline Bombadil072

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2014, 05:49:53 pm »
Awesome thoughts!  I had read somewhere else that the fletching does more to stabilize the arrow the longer it is in flight...so, by that rationale, shooting field points at 30-50 yards, I might not notice as much difference between 4-6 inches? 
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Offline Bombadil072

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2014, 05:51:01 pm »
Quote from: chamookman on January 19, 2014, 06:05:55 am
I use a Chopper and make 5 1/2" high=back Shields. Has always worked well for Me - Bob.

Also, what do you mean by high-back shields?  Are they taller at the widest (back) end?
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Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2014, 08:48:34 pm »
Yep, that's right a taller fletch off of the arrow shaft.
DBar
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Offline bow101

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2014, 10:30:30 pm »
My question is if you go for a 6 - 6 1/2" fletching, your brace height would have to be higher. That would impede bow performance correct...... ???
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Offline Danzn Bar

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Re: Fletching - how long should the feathers be?
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2014, 08:22:15 am »
Quote from: bow101 on January 24, 2014, 10:30:30 pm
My question is if you go for a 6 - 6 1/2" fletching, your brace height would have to be higher. That would impede bow performance correct...... ???


It definitely shortens your effective draw length.  But, it could increase poundage a bit.
DBar
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