Fletching Clamp

Fletching clamps are a critical tool in archery for attaching feathers or vanes to arrow shafts. The process of attaching these vanes or feathers is called fletching, and it helps stabilize the arrow in flight, increasing accuracy and precision. The fletching clamp is used to hold the feather or vane in place while the adhesive dries.

Parts of a Fletching Clamp

A fletching clamp consists of several parts, including:

Clamp Body: This is the main body of the clamp that holds the arrow and feather or vane in place.
Clamp Screws: These are used to tighten or loosen the clamp.
Grooves: The clamp body has grooves on the inside that match the shape and size of the arrow shaft.

The grooves on the inside of the clamp body are designed to fit different arrow diameters. It's essential to choose the correct size of the clamp for your arrow, or you risk damaging the arrow or getting a poor bond between the feather and the shaft.

How to Use a Fletching Clamp

Using a fletching clamp can be a straightforward process if done correctly. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Apply adhesive to the base of the feather or vane. You can use either cyanoacrylate glue or epoxy resin.
Place the feather or vane onto the arrow shaft, making sure it is aligned correctly. The feather or vane should be positioned evenly on the shaft, and the base of the feather should be at the same distance from the nock as the others.
Place the fletching clamp over the feather or vane and arrow shaft, ensuring that the grooves on the inside of the clamp match the shape and size of the arrow shaft. The clamp should be aligned with the nock end of the arrow.
Tighten the clamp to hold the feather or vane in place while the adhesive dries. Tighten the screws until you feel a little resistance.

Types of Fletching Clamps

There are different types of fletching clamps available, including:

Straight Clamps

Straight clamps are the most basic type of fletching clamp and are used for attaching straight feathers or vanes to an arrow shaft. They have a straight groove that matches the diameter of the arrow shaft, ensuring that the feather or vane is positioned straight and true. Straight clamps are best for shooting with recurve bows, longbows, or compound bows without a helical riser. They come in various sizes to fit different arrow diameters and can be made of plastic, metal, or a combination of both.

Helical Clamps

Helical clamps are used for attaching feathers or vanes at an angle to the arrow shaft, creating spin and stabilizing the arrow in flight. The angle of the vane or feather determines the degree of spin applied to the arrow, which affects the accuracy and stability of the arrow in flight. Helical clamps come in different degrees of offset, ranging from 2 degrees up to 5 degrees, with 3 degrees being the most common.

Offset Clamps

Offset clamps are similar to helical clamps, but they have a different offset angle. They are usually used for fletching crossbow bolts, which are shorter and have a smaller diameter than traditional arrows. The offset angle of the clamp ensures that the vanes are positioned correctly to create spin and stabilize the crossbow bolt in flight. Offset clamps are available in different degrees of offset, ranging from 0 degrees up to 6 degrees, with 2 degrees being the most common.