Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Stefan on April 28, 2012, 11:20:16 am
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I like to wrap the front of my flecthings with fletching thread. I usually use a bit of Saunders glue (that I also use for my fletching) to secure thread. The glue doesn't really soak into the thread so sometimes it comes lose.
What do you use to secure the fletching thread? Should titebond 3 diluted with water work? Preferably I would like a transparant glue...If i am using white thread I would like it stay white
Greetings,
Stefan
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Stefan, I use what is known as a nail knot. I lay a seperate loop if thread down and wrap over that. When I get to the end of the wrap I tuck the tag end into the loop and pull the loop back through the wrap, pull it tight and cut the ends off clost as possible. I use super glue to seal the wraps. Once it is dry I use very fine sandpaper to smooth out the wrap. If necessary I add another coat of super glue to smooth it out.
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Thanks Pat B,
I also use the nail knot, I will try super glue!
I would like to know what other people use,..
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Stefan,
I secure and seal my wraps with clear fingernail polish. Generally, this will be a clear lacquer, and most all of the cheaper brands are all lacquer. As the wraps start to "fuzz" through use, ya can simply recoat and smooth down if necessary. Also if you need to re-fletch the arrow you can (most of the time) make a small cut through the thread and peel the whole thing off, followed by a couple wipes with fingernail polish remover and the shaft is good as new.
not sayin its the best way.....just the way I do it
rich
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Thanks half eye,
I like your idea of clear fingernail polish, easy to apply and easy to get. I think I will give it a go.
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I've used both the fingernail polish and superglue. I also use Duco cement. Nail hardener works too. I like the speed of the superglue, I use my fingers to get it all around the threads and then make sure I don't touch them together until the glue dries. ;) I use gorilla super glue. Good luck, dpgratz
ps. on my "primitive" arrows, when I use sinew, I use either a bee propolis or pine pitch sealer made w/ either propolis or pitch disolved in alcohol and applied w/ a q-tip.
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I sometimes get super glue in a little bottle with a brush applicator. This super glue in a light purple color but dries clear. The little brush applicator works well.
For sinew wrap I usually use pitch varnish(basically hard pitch dissolved in alcohol)to seal them but also super glue sometimes too.
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i've used super glue, clear nail polish and tb3 and got the best results from the last two, but they all work, i use the same knot as patb and stefan, Bub
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use the loop knot on trad arrows with artificial sinew and duco
with real sinew/primitive arrows i use pitch glue
tho i think i may pick up some clear nail polish or the super glue with applicator for trad just for neatness/simplicity
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When I don't use real sinew I use a double loop knot with artificial sinew and Barge cement.
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I use non-waxed dental floss and duco.
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I back serve my wrap just like the way you back serve a bow string. Then I soak it in liquid superglue.
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I too, back serve my wrappings like a string serving. For insurance, I'll dab a drop of superglue on the wrap and then spin the shaft on my finger to spread the glue on the entire wrap. (Quickly, not giving the glue enough time to dry before gluing my finger tip to the wrap)
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I use Duco on silk thread until it shines and wont soak anymore up.
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Hide glue, elmer's, or titebond are my favorites. Be sure not to dilute the tightbond with water: it makes it very weak. I've used super glue also but I always seems to get on my fingers and I can't stand it. :o
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I wrap with wet back strap sinew and after it dries good I coat with super glue or TB3. Wipe the access on my overalls and get hollered at by Miss Joanie. ;) ;D ;D
Pappy
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That's just too funny, Pappy. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: In my house, we're always after the boy to get a napkin, paper towel or rag. Yet, he sees "dad" wiping grease, chicken poop and yes, glue on his pants. Not sure who Miss Heather hollers at the most, me or the boy. ;)
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I too use the brush on crazy glue to seal the wrap. I've been wrapping with silk embroidery floss from my wife's favorite stitching store. You can get real creative with color that way and it's strong stuff. Artificial sinew works good for your nail knot pulling loop. (I peal away a thinner strand so it isn't so bulky)
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I use methods carried over from fly tying. Various types of thread wound on using the bobbin I use for tying fishing flies. the bobbin has a thin tube that the thread goes through to guide it exactly where you want . It also comes in handy to separate the feather as you go. It makes quick , accurate work of it . To tie it off at the nock, I tie a half hitch or two to keep it from unraveling and then Whip finish like the head of a fly. same results as a nail knot but way faster and easier once you learn how.You can even get a tool for a few bucks that helps you make the knot. I've never used one,but have seen them used and they look pretty slick .I then finish up with head cement (fly tying shop once again). One small bottle will last for years. It's made to soak in and provide a waterproof seal ,as well as bind together the threads.If you think of the abuse a toothy little trout can inflict on your" Royal Coachman", it only stands to reason that it will work for arrows.
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I've used super glue also but I always seems to get on my fingers and I can't stand it. :o
How many times I tell ya to wait until the glue sets before ya pick yer nose!?
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Lostarrow, what type of thread are you using? I've got a bunch of 210 denier I use for tying 1/4oz+ fur jigs, but didn't really think it would hold up right to the fletching. I'm using 30lb artificial sinew for fletching wrap and was having a problem with the wrap in front of the thread pushing back after repeatedly hitting the shelf on the way out. I was coating it with sally hansens "hard as nails", another old fly tying trick. All the ones I made the last few days I used super glue instead, but haven't been able to test shoot with these monsoons we've been having.
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Good quality "quilting" thread is pretty heavy duty, or linen if you can find it , but I've even used silk. Sounds like your arrows are hitting the shelf pretty hard.I usually glue a small strip of deer hair ,from the leg area on the shelf . The stuff with the short stiff hairs. Calf hair would work too. It makes the draw quiet when you are hunting and really saves the fletching on your arrows. I am finishing a bow right now and am in the process of shooting it in. Got a little excited and didn't shape the rest completely .Noticed a huge difference in wear on the arrows.Not sure what you are getting at about the wrap in front of the thread but Art. sinew probably wont accept any glue very well, being very waxy and non porous.
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Yeah they may be hitting the rest a little hard, or it was just too loose a wrap job. I really prefer the more natural look, so I'm trying to make the fake sinew work. Too humid here to use the real stuff and get the shrinking advantage. I may have also built up the wrap too much, so on my current works-in-progress I'm making sure not to over do it. I used swede for the shelf pad on my current shooter, but I did get the idea to use a piece of squirrel (or was it rabbit...?) zonker strip on one of my previous bows that I haven't yet tried the boo shafts with yet. The zonker looked pretty cool, I left the fur longer which gave it a good soft rest and the fur comes off before the feathers do. In the end though, there's a whole lot of variables in my arrows to pinpoint only one possible cause/effect of each symptom.
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I do have a piece of antilope fur glued on my arrow rest, maybe I should have arced my arrow shelf more. It's definitly better since I am using clear nail polish on to my fletching thread.
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Try cresting a couple of arrows ( only where the fletching is ) with some dark paint . Don't put any lacquer on the cresting. Shoot them a few times and see where the paint is wearing on the arrow. The dark colour will also show on the bow where it is hitting. It's a pretty good indicator of where you might change your shelf design if needed. I've had the Deer leg fur on a bow that I've probably shot close to a thousand arrows from over the years with no deterioration . I believe it holds the arrow just until it leaves the string and then is for the most part not even touched as the arrow passes. Whatever it is , it's holding up well.
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Another good idea from lostarrow. On compounds we sometimes used to check clearence with baby powder..
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo, did you just say the "C" word? Hahahahaha. All joking aside , it's a method used for everything from timberframing to gunsmithing.Wish I could take credit but some clever Neanderthal probably came up with it first.
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I just wrap the forward end of fletching and favor fishing rod wrapping thread. I use nylon size E and a coating or two of Duco smeared on with my finger. Duco will change the color of the thread a bit. If that bothers you, there are threads which do not change color when a solvent type finish is applied. I never had much luck getting CA glue to give a good finish- it gives a dusty white kind of finish to the wrap.