Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: alex b on March 02, 2010, 11:56:32 pm

Title: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: alex b on March 02, 2010, 11:56:32 pm


        hi i was just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages each of these have. any difference
      in arrow flight? any difference in penetration?

      thanks
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: Josh on March 03, 2010, 12:33:28 am
...seems like helical fletched arrows would spin more times in flight which would make the arrow fly straighter/better for alot further... 
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: Pat B on March 03, 2010, 12:55:05 am
I have always used a straight fletch with an offset. Helical does spin the arrow faster so the arrow trues faster but they can be slower and noisier. Both work well. Years ago a friend gave me a JoJan multi-fletch with straight clamps. That's why I use them and like straight fletch.  ;D
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: aero86 on March 03, 2010, 10:12:00 am
I'm really thinking about getting a fletching jig.  What do you mean by an offset pat?
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: recurve shooter on March 03, 2010, 10:30:37 am
aero86, i have a super crappy cheap plastic one. i dont actually use it for fletching cuz cane aint exactly a flat surface to glue to. it does, however, comein handy for marking where your feathers need to be so you get them spaced evenly.

sorry, not trying to change the topic.  :-X

as far as the fletches go, im not sure of the difference between offset and helical, but i would believe that straight fletches would be faster and quieter, but anything that adds spin would be more accurate.
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: Pat B on March 03, 2010, 11:17:34 am
With a straight fletch jig you can set the clamp so the feather is angled either to the right or left or straight in line with the shaft. I usually add about a 1/8" off set when I fletch.(appropriate offset for left or right wing feathers)
   Even with the straight fletch set perfectly straight an arrow will spin in flight because of the lay of the feather. With some off set it will spin more and with a helical even more. When I do use helical I usually use smaller feathers(5" shields or parabolic). For straight fletch I use either a 5 1/2" high back shield cut or my own fletch design.
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: aero86 on March 03, 2010, 12:17:33 pm
haha, recurve, youve got my number on that cane, huh?  haha.

thanks pat, i kinda thought that, but wasnt sure.  guess ill just stick with trying that cardboard with 3 slits cut in it jig
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: riarcher on March 03, 2010, 04:02:50 pm
You could make a jig like this guy (about a minute into it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffhKIuuQX8&feature=related

Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: mullet on March 03, 2010, 04:59:40 pm
 I like to use helical for 3-D Shoots because it straightens up real quick and is good shooting through tight foliage. Most of my hunting arrows are straight with an off-set. The are quieter.
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: markinengland on March 03, 2010, 06:26:30 pm
Personally I like helical, done either by hand or with a jig. They seem to straighten up quicker, be more forgiving of a shaft that isn't precisely straight and for me just more accurate or likely to go where I am looking.

I have found that noise seems to be more due to the shape of the rear of the fletch rather than whether they are straight, offset or helical. Perhaps people with stronger faster bows than I use may get more noise than I get?
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: aero86 on March 03, 2010, 07:34:33 pm
ive noticed the noise on mine, and they arent straight, slightly helical
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: recurve shooter on March 03, 2010, 09:40:22 pm
aero86, yup. your first in line. went cane-sampling today. gunna put up a post in a sec.
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: mullet on March 03, 2010, 09:46:45 pm
  ;D  Really, it's probbally because straight, with a slight offset, is easier to glue up. And if your arrows are tuned worth a crap, they will fly, EXCELLANT. ;)
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: nugget on March 03, 2010, 09:52:30 pm
I use a cheap jig to set the feather in place with a small amount of glue then I tie it on with sinew or thread. I know it's cheating but it works.
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: Aries on March 08, 2010, 12:28:53 am
You could make a jig like this guy (about a minute into it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffhKIuuQX8&feature=related


thats a pretty neat little jig, prolly wouldnt be to complicated to make one. what do you think you could use for the clamp??
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: riarcher on March 08, 2010, 01:12:44 am
I've used big paper clamps with pieces cut from a CD case as a lining.
Clamp it all up on a feather and epoxy where the clamp meets CD piece.

There's anouther one somewhere. Each end is triangular, cut for 3 clamps with stationary nock.
the guy glues up all 3 and uses rubber bands to hold it together.
Make a half doz. for about $15. Be like an assembly line.  :o ;D
Title: Re: helical vs. straight fletching
Post by: Greatgoogamooga on March 08, 2010, 11:11:53 am
You could make a jig like this guy (about a minute into it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffhKIuuQX8&feature=related

I made one like that out of 1/2" plywood.  I bought a cheap Bohning clamp from 3R and put a cross member above the arrow shaft with a magnet on it.  If you make one, make the holes that support the shaft as small as you can (3/8 is plenty).  I found that I made the holes too large at first and the fletching came out catty-wompus. 

Goog