Superglue and fletching

[Watch_Man]

I know from speaking to other archers that there seems to be mixed feelings about the use of superglue to fletch arrows. The biggest negative seems to be the lack of flexibility.

A company on ebay sells flexible superglue which retains its flexibility after it cures and is highly resistant to shock. They also sell extra fine nozels to attach to the tubes.

CLEAR`N`TUF clear flexy cyano adhesive 50g car boat - eBay Aeroplanes, Radio-Controlled, Toys Games (end time 09-Nov-07 22:39:24 GMT)

This is much better than standard off the shelf superglue and can be bought with accelerator for those 'between end repairs'

The do superglues and debonders for just about every application.

[worthipa]

Bob Smith Industries

Seems to be the superglue company that gets talked about in fletching circles, they have UK stockists.

Personally I just use cheepo superglue from the pound shop, never failed me yet!

[N.Vodden]

loktite superglue in the dispenser that has a brush, can control it a lot better than tubes. Only about £4 from any supermarket. Been using it since i started and its good stuff

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by N.Vodden

loktite superglue in the dispenser that has a brush, can control it a lot better than tubes. Only about £4 from any supermarket. Been using it since i started and its good stuff

Thats what I was using but I found that once it started to go the whole fletch would come off as the glue 'cracked' With Fletchtite platinum I never had the same problem, it just wasn't suitable for quick fixing fletches. I went looking specifically for a superglue designed for bonding rubber and other flexible material and the one posted above is what I came up with.

I think we all have our favourites

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by worthipa

Bob Smith Industries

Seems to be the superglue company that gets talked about in fletching circles, they have UK stockists.

Personally I just use cheepo superglue from the pound shop, never failed me yet!

There IC-2000 looks very similar - may be worth a try ?

[WhitehartFB]

Other than for cost reasons although it's hardly expensive, why do people not want to use a fletching glue?

IMO The only reasons vanes fall off is due to poor preparation, not enough glue put evenly on the vane or bow clearance problems.

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by Whitehart

Other than for cost reasons although it's hardly expensive, why do people not want to use a fletching glue?

IMO The only reasons vanes fall off is due to poor preparation, not enough glue put evenly on the vane or bow clearance problems.

I use Fletchtite platinum for all fletching except where I need to do a quick repair and want the glue dry in a few seconds. This not only includes between ends but also when testing different fletches and I haven't time to wait 3 hrs for drying. That is where superglue comes into its own.

All in all I have found Platinum to be the best for me.

[WhitehartFB]

Originally Posted by Watch_Man

I use Fletchtite platinum for all fletching except where I need to do a quick repair and want the glue dry in a few seconds. This not only includes between ends but also when testing different fletches and I haven't time to wait 3 hrs for drying. That is where superglue comes into its own.

All in all I have found Platinum to be the best for me.

Makes sense, clearly I am not adventurous enough these days I always have enough arrows for a tournament well I hope so and as to trying fletchings I consider the ones I use are the best ones for me having tried out most. My problem is finding enough time to practice not equipment.

Interesting that there are more flexible solutions as most dry too brittle and the act of the arrow hitting the target knocks them off. I have also found that most commonly available ones dissolve in water and have seen many archers with problems on wet days towards the end of a shoot.

[john rowland]

Originally Posted by Watch_Man

I know from speaking to other archers that there seems to be mixed feelings about the use of superglue to fletch arrows. The biggest negative seems to be the lack of flexibility.

A company on ebay sells flexible superglue which retains its flexibility after it cures and is highly resistant to shock. They also sell extra fine nozels to attach to the tubes.

CLEAR`N`TUF clear flexy cyano adhesive 50g car boat - eBay Aeroplanes, Radio-Controlled, Toys Games (end time 09-Nov-07 22:39:24 GMT)

This is much better than standard off the shelf superglue and can be bought with accelerator for those 'between end repairs'

The do superglues and debonders for just about every application.

I have been using it for years , trouble free as long as you prepare the surface with a 1200 wet and dry paper . Warning they do not come of easy

[TWIW]

I prefer superglue for 2 reasons:

1. It's quick. I can do a dozen arrows in an hour.
2. if the fletch gets a knock the glue joint breaks and the fletch falls off. No chance of shooting an arrow with a partially attached fletched.