What fletching jig works best for fletching bolts?

First topic message reminder :

I was wondering if any one had fletching jig they liked or would recommend for fletching bolts? Or had an idea to get any jig to work? The jig I have doesn't work so well for bolts. I have made it work but that was really just eyeballing the fletching parallel. So most of the bolts turn out fine but I always have that one that flys like a drunk hummingbird.

I knew I wasn't being clear enough. the fuel line is used to hold on a nock onto the shaft so that a normal fletching jig can be used. Then when the bolt is fletched the nock and fuel line can be pulled off and used on the next shaft.

But Fuel line as fletching? hmm has some potential in a fletchless bolt

So you were talking about a home made "nock adapter".

This is a 101 question for archers but does a Grayling #GOP160 with a straight clamp allow for offsetting the vane for rotation, or is it necessary to order a right or left helical to do this?
Grayling Fletching Jig

Tinker

I believe the Grayling jigs allows for offset. I can't say for certain as I don't have one but the Grayling page for the jig { http://www.graylingoutdoorproducts.com/Products/gop160.html } says it has an improved adjustments for proper offsets. I have a jig that looks similiar and allows for angled offsets of the fletching.

But maybe someone who has that jig can answer.

I'll be sharing my 'learning curve' with anyone else's inquisitive mind...
Information verified the manufacturer's rep.; The 'R clamp' and 'L clamp' packaging are for RW or LW feather fletching, and the Straight packaging is for vanes.
The jig is the same on all three, just the clamp being the difference. All have the ability to offset the fletching to allow for arrow rotation.

Tinker

Tinker wrote:I'll be sharing my 'learning curve' with anyone else's inquisitive mind...
Information verified the manufacturer's rep.; The 'R clamp' and 'L clamp' packaging are for RW or LW feather fletching, and the Straight packaging is for vanes.
The jig is the same on all three, just the clamp being the difference. All have the ability to offset the fletching to allow for arrow rotation.

Tinker

Interesting. I have used the straight clamp for feathers many a time, in fact it is my go to clamp because it is easier to set up than a left or right clamp. I think that for bolts the Left or Right clamp would put too much curve on the fleather to allow it to sit flat. But the clamps are relativly cheap once you have the jig body so getting all three wouldn't be that big of a deal.
I am interested in hearing about your learnign curve on all this. There is still so much that I need to learn.

Interesting. I have used the straight clamp for feathers many a time, in fact it is my go to clamp because it is easier to set up than a left or right clamp. I think that for bolts the Left or Right clamp would put too much curve on the fleather to allow it to sit flat. But the clamps are relativly cheap once you have the jig body so getting all three wouldn't be that big of a deal.
I am interested in hearing about your learnign curve on all this. There is still so much that I need to learn.

You may well be correct with reference to bolts. I only asked about the jigs and the clamps... did not inquire about use on bolts. Anyhoo, got the order in for the bolt-makins just now.
We shall see ...

Tinker

I have used both straight and helical clamps on my fletching-jigs, both right and left spin. Either one shouldn't be a problem unless you're using very long feathers. The period bolts I have seen usually had long, wooden vanes (about 5 inches) set helically, into a groove in each side, but I usually go with 3 or 4 inchers, either shield-cut or parabolics.
Of course there were plenty of feather-fletched bolts in the old days, but bugs have long since- eaten the feathers. The wooden vanes last nearly forever. Josef Alm's book says some wood-fletched bolts had the vanes cut from the stuff of the bolt and those were pretty much straight. No, I don't know how one would do that, but my pal 'Silly-Person' has a good system for mounting wooden vanes to the heavier type of hardwood shafts.
As for hardening butts of shafts for longer wear, I've never had any problem with using ordinary cedar shafts, right out of the box, so long as the grain of the shaft is set vertically, ACROSS the lie of the string. Of course, I'm making bolts for bows that don't 'slap' the bolts on release. Notch-locks and other 'clap-lock' designs may tend to beat up your bolts. Butt-caps can improve bolt-life by protecting them from minor 'Robin-Hood' grazes, but I'm afraid really hard hits are gonna smash them to bits anyhow.
Geezer.

Tinker, I guess I was more trying to say that the straight clamp works well for feathers as well as vains.
And I will admit that I just assumed that the helical clamps would just not work for making bolts but apperently they can work. Of course all I have lying around the house right now are 2.5" and 5" fletching. Either too short or too long. Well maybe not I should actully look at this before I say for sure. I will definatly experiment with this.

Well the experiment will have to wait. Its a right hand clamp and left hand feathers. Not going to work too well.

Thought I would bring this topic back for a quick update.

Just received my Grayling crossbow bolt adapter for fletching bolts. And to my joy it fits in my Martin J8 jig just as I had hoped. Its so nice to have a plan actually work. Now to get some straight fletchings on my bolts

and as to add to the above about helical fletched bolts. They work well, about as well as anything I guess.

Well here it goes. I agree with Geezer in what he tells you? Myself I've been using the 4 (four inche) parabolics for years now. Does not matter the turn R or L. My jig is as old as the earth. Its the old 3(three) feather type. I put my feathers at 180 degrees from each other 2(two) feathers I use. Just recently I'm doing a 3(three) feather combo. That set up is 2(two) at 180 degrees and the third at 90 degrees. In that way my bolt will fit into the roller nut. My jig in other words just hold the bolt shaft while I glue the feathers onto the wooden shaft. Try 3 Rivers Archery.com. Looking in their catalog they have everything from low price to a high speed one that will jig up 6(six) fletch wow? Well I hoped that I help you some HEY WAKE UP!!!! Mike

After reading this whole thread I thought I'd throw in a slight adaptation: what about the JoJan Multi-Fletcher? I heard they now have a crossbow adapter but I was dubious about buying six of them until I heard from anyone who'd used them if they are ok or not. 90 degree parabolic fletches on my bolts btw...

Saxon,

Try www.bohning.com archery supply .......... they have several fletching jigs.........might be helpful.

Chaz

Saxon Crusader wrote:After reading this whole thread I thought I'd throw in a slight adaptation: what about the JoJan Multi-Fletcher? I heard they now have a crossbow adapter but I was dubious about buying six of them until I heard from anyone who'd used them if they are ok or not. 90 degree parabolic fletches on my bolts btw...

I use one and they work great. They are quite convenient, when the 6th feather is placed the first bolt is ready for the next fletching. I would recommend the JoJan Multi-fletcher.