Helical orientation features fletching with a slight curve.It also picks up some air resistance in flight and loses airspeed before reaching its target.It offers increased arrow stability with broadheads, making it better for taking long-range shots.Offset orientation is straight on the shaft, but it is also turned from the front to the back of the fletching.It does not create any spin, however, and is more vulnerable to wind drag.It is effective with close-range shots because it maximizes speed during arrow flight.Keeps the fletching straight with the shaft.You can choose from three different fletching orientations: After the fletching glue has dried, rotate the arrow in the jig 120 degrees two more times and repeat the process.Apply a layer of glue along the groove and press it into place along the shaft.From there, simply place the vane or feather into the jig and clamp it in place.Before attaching the fletching, clean the shaft and the fletching materials.All you need is some glue, a pencil to mark where to place the fletching and a good fletching jig to clamp the vanes or feathers while you attach them to the shaft. Shorter and lower profile vanes will cut down on wind drag.ĭo-it-yourself fletching is a basic skill I think all beginning bow hunters need to learn.Using vanes with a wider surface area make the arrow heavier and slower.Using vanes with an elevated rest offers greater arrow clearance.High profile vanes will offer a greater degree of stability.They are better at correcting the flight path of an arrow shot with bad form.Come in a wider variety of shapes and sizes than feathers.Can get soaked and become waterlogged in the rainy season.More prone to break or tear over time than vanes.

Create more drag and spin on the arrow.

More forgiving while sliding over rests or risers on a bow.

Three times lighter and more flexible than vanes.

Both choices offer their own set of pros and cons. Plastic vanes have become more abundant in modern times because of their durability and color variety. Traditionally, feathers were used to create fletching on an arrow. This gives your arrow much greater impact power after you shoot it. If done right, fletching preserves speed, improves accuracy, and maintains momentum. It also should be 4-to-5 inches long to compensate for the size and weight of the broadhead, with 2 to 3inch long vane fletching available for lighter arrows. A third one, the “cock” vane or feather, points away from the riser when nocked to the string and is often a different color.įletching should be wider than the cutting diameter of the broadhead. Two of them, the “hen” vanes or feathers, create a flat path against the riser. Standard arrow fletching features three vanes or feathers. Three or more vanes/ feathers are used to fletch an arrow.

Diy fletching jig plans