Arrow Fletching Instructions

Fletching an arrow involves attaching a material, most commonly feathers, to the shank of an arrow to increase the stabilization of the arrow's aerodynamics. The presence of the feathers on the tail make for more drag on the arrow, which leads to less tumbling and falling arrows. You can fit fletches onto an arrow yourself if you have the proper tools. Fletching your arrows yourself gives you more room to personalize and achieve the perfect arrow.

Things You'll Need

  • Fletching jig
  • Arrow
  • Marker
  • Feathers
  • Feather glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand the fletching jig up with the base line facing upward. A fletching jig is a triangular-shaped jig that holds the arrow in place while you fletch it. The base line is where the arrow is held steady

    • 2

      Fit an arrow into the base line with its head on the lower end of the jig. The tip of the arrow should be pointing up along the slope of the jig.

    • 3

      Line the clamp that comes with the fletching groove in the arrow. Place the clamp, with the springs facing upward, so it rests on the groove. Make a mark on the clamp 5/8 of an inch from the lower end of the fletching groove with a marker. This mark will show your where to stop the feather.

    • 4

      Insert the feather into the clamp, quill facing away from the springs. Push the feather in until the very edges of the clamp are touching the quill. All you should see is the quill running parallel to the clamp's edges.

    • 5

      Find the mark you made on the clamp and make sure the feather doesn't go past it. If it does, you won't have anywhere to put your fingers when loading the arrow. Slide the arrow down until the tip is lined up with the mark.

    • 6

      Squeeze a very fine line of feather glue along the quill.

    • 7

      Turn the clamp so the quill is downward and press it into the fletching groove in the arrow. When you have inserted the quill into the groove, some glue will seep out. Clean this away with an small utility knife.

    • 8

      Let the glue dry for 20 minutes and remove the clamp.

    • 9

      Rotate the fletching jig until the next empty groove is facing upward. Repeat the process of gluing the feathers until all the grooves are filled.