Tag Archives: fletching

Aug 13 2025

Equipment review – Cartel fletching tool

For the past 13 years I have been using the Cartel fletching tool as my primary fletching jig, so I thought it would be a good time to write a review of my thoughts.

I’ve just bought a third one to set up permanently for 4 fletching. This way I don’t have to worry about changing the setup from 3 to 4 fletchings.

The jig cost £17.99 from Merlin archery. For this price you get the main jig, clamp, and  2 Allen keys for adjustments of the jig

I’ve found the tool to be a sturdy metal construction. It comes with a couple of holes in the base so you can mount it with screws onto a board or worktable. I have chosen not to do this as I keep the different jigs in one large box so I use a G clamp to hold it steady on the tabletop.

As the video shows, the jig can be set up for either 3 or 4 fletching via the adjustable screws at the base. I’ve marked mine 3 and 4.

close up on selector screws

There are 2 screws for alignment adjustment of the clamp so you can ensure your fletching is straight on the arrow shaft. I don’t have a helical clamp, just a simple straight one

Clamp itself has an adjuster screw that ensures you don’t crush the fletching, very useful if you are using feather fletchings.

The magnets that hold the clamp are surprisingly strong and caught me off guard when I first started using the clamp. So be warned when getting the alignment of the fletching to the arrow. If you are using glue you will have time to slide the clamps down, but if like me you are using fletching tape you need to be a little more careful when aligning the fletching.

As I said I already have 2 of these that I’ve had over 13 years now, pretty much since I first starting making arrows.

I’d like to offer a couple of tips based on those years of use.

Tip number one is I’ve marked the point of the index feather, just to make life easier.

Line showing index feather alignment

The allen keys that come with the tool are easy to lose, yes I have lost or rather misplaced one over the years, so I have added a couple of zip ties to the base of the clamp where I can slip them in.

Since I make mostly wooden arrows, I’ve added a little bit of tape at the top of the jig where the arrow sets to ensure it doesn’t scratch the wood of the arrows.

I’m a fan of these clamps as I’ve found them both robust and easy to use. I also like it’s all metal construction, which makes them durable and easy to clean when I’ve got glue on them in the past.

As always thanks for reading and listening.

cover of issue 181 of bow international
Oct 17 2024

Bow international 181 – Feather aren’t just for the birds

Just a very quick bit of self-promotion in this post, which isn’t something I do very often if at all.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have an article posted in the latest issue (181) of Bow international archery magazine. In the 3-page spread there is an introduction to the use of feathers for fletching of your arrows as opposed to plastic vanes. Highlighting the advantages, disadvantages but also the appeal of making arrows with traditional fletchings.

Feathers aren’t just for the birds
feather options
my quiver

There’s also an article by Alex Tyler , who often writes reviews on NFAS championships. This time she is talking with Iain Bickerstaffe

The magazine is available from all good newsagents or by visiting the Bow international website.

Thanks for reading.

Mar 28 2022

Cost saving tips – alternative fletching tape

I’m going to run a couple of cost saving ideas out there for the next few weeks, for archers and archery clubs. Let’s face it with fuel and living costs rises every penny counts.

In this one I’m offering an alternative to using fletching tape or glue.

I’ve started using this double-sided sticky tape to fletch club arrows a few months ago. It’s available from Hobbycraft stores and is a lot less than tape sold at archery shops. It’s only a couple of pounds for the long roll, which is able to do a load of arrows.

image of fletching tape

It’s proved to work well on club arrows and not had any fletching come off in the 6 months I’ve been using it. I’ve found the 6mm wide tape works best for plastic vanes. This covers the base of the fletching well and you can trim off any excess. There is also a 3mm wide version that I use on feather fletchings.

Importantly I have found it bounds onto aluminium arrows well, can’t testify on carbons as all our club arrows are aluminium. I have tested it on a few wooded arrows and works on those too.

As I said I am hoping to run a few money saving articles so if you have any cost saving ideas let me know or share them.
Thanks for reading, stay safe.