How to Set Up Multiple Fletching Jigs

Archery arrows use a set of feathers (or synthetic feathers) to control the projectile's in-flight directions. These feathers are known as fletchings. Most archers use a set pattern of colors and feather lengths for their personal preferences and identification purposes. If you are an archer and wish to customize your arrows with preferred fletchings, set up a fletching jig in your home workshop. If you wish to produce arrows "assembly-line" style, set up multiple fletching jigs and maximize fletching sessions.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat composite board squares, 4 inch by 4 inch
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch dowel
  • Saw
  • Marker
  • Scalpel
  • Bench vises
  • Flat work bench
  • Arrow string
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out 6-inch lengths of the one-half-inch dowel. Cut out as many dowel pieces as you want fletching jigs, as one dowel piece is required for each jig.

    • 2

      Drill a one-half-inch-hole in the pieces of 4-inch composite board and insert the dowel into the hole. Position the hole at the bottom of the board. Glue it into the hole to secure it for fletching jig use.

    • 3

      Mark the fletching pattern on the composite board. For example, if you want a three-fletch arrow, hold the rear end of the arrow to the center of the board and mark where you want the fletch placements on the outside diameter of the arrow shaft. Cut out the marked pattern and droll a hole in the center in the same diameter as the arrow shaft.

    • 4

      Open the jaws on the bench vise and insert the dowel into the jaws and close them. Position the composite board on the dowel so it sticks out from the vise with the pattern facing out from the bench. Go down the bench and use additional vises to position the other jigs down the bench.

    • 5

      Push the rear-end of the arrow shaft into the pattern hole. Push it through until you reach the end of where the fletchings are placed. Slide the fletching material onto the shaft and them push forward to lock the material to the shaft. Wrap the arrow thread around the fletchings to your preferred wrap and knot. Pull the arrow through the hole to feather the fletchings and make them ready for use.