Newbie Fletching Questions

aggie

FNG
Joined
Dec 25, 2016
Messages
75
Location
Northern California
Just got started in archery about 6 months ago and have decided to take the leap into fletching my own arrows. I know I have a lot to learn so go easy on me.

I purchased a dozen new "cheaper" arrows when I first bought my bow. These were all fletched straight. After shooting these for awhile it was time to get them re-fletched due to some rips and tears. The shop convinced me to have them fletched helical. I didn't think to ask or look at the time but the cock fletch on the original straights is at a different point than the helical. When I say at a different point I mean I have chosen a reference on the arrow graphics to reference the cock fletch.

My question is two part:
1. Do Archery shops receive and sell arrows that were fletched at the factory or do they typically do it themselves.
2. What determines on the arrow where the cock fletch should be placed? I have read some topics I believe were related to this topic and it seemed that the cock fletch was to ride on the stiff side of the arrow. If this is the case does the bathtub test become applicable?

Overall just want to make sure I am headed in the right direction as I would like to start learning the right way out the gate.
 
1. Both.

2. Either completely random (usually), or you measure arrow spine on a spine tester, mark the stiff side, fletch there. Most people don't bother with this. The Bathtub test can work sometimes, but it doesn't always work. What that measures is the light side of the arrow, which may or may not be the same as the weak side.
 
Also just to add, the arrows graphics should not be used as a reference as they almost never are placed on the arrows exactly the same, at least in my experience with indexing arrows...
 
Thank you for the responses. I guess it was just a coincidence that the graphics happened to line up on what I had.

If they come fletched from the factory do they check the stiff side of the arrow? I understand you are saying often people dont check this but I want to know if it will make or break my hunting arrows.

Thanks
 
If they come fletched from the factory do they check the stiff side of the arrow? I understand you are saying often people dont check this but I want to know if it will make or break my hunting arrows.

Thanks

No - almost never. Places like South Shore Archery will spine check and build arrows for you that way.

It will not make or break your arrows. If you buy good quality arrows (.003, especially .001) it probably doesn't make a damn bit of difference.

As someone new to the sport, don't even worry about it.
 
Only 1 company that I know of spine indexes for you and that is Victory Archery. I don't worry about having a different color cock vane and simply nock tune by turning the nocks until they all group well.
 
Fletch them all the same color and just pay attention to outing on the string correctly. Most nocks have a detent on them to designate which way you’re clipping them on your string.

With not distinguishing color (you can mark with a sharpie if you like) difference in cock and hens, when you nock index your arrows, it just won’t matter.


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