Re-fletching arrows

[Jack19]

I need to re-fletch some of my carbon arrows and was just wodering what is the best way to remove the old glue from the shaft. Can I use acetone or will this ruin the shaft?

[Mikey]

I have just always scraped the old glue off with a dull knife for fear of the Solvent doing something to the arrow shafts

[elkaholic]

I do much the same as Mikey with a few extra steps.

I use a sharp knife with little pressure. Once I'm done that I lightly polish with a stainless steel wool pad,(you can get this from your local grocers store, it's used for cleaning frying pans and such, brand name I use is"CHORE BOY") wipe with isopropyl rubbing alchohol and your ready to fletch.I also found that loctite 404 (purchased at Acklands) works just as good as the gel fletching glue. I also use the loctite 404 on the inserts as well.

[scooter]

I use the scrape method with a dull knife like mikey and black max for the inserts.

Seems to work very well on all the carbons that I have fletched.

[petew]

I scrape with a sharp razor knife and clean with acetone or laquer thinner..Rubbing alcolhol has oils in it ,that give poor bonding.
When I do shafts for myself now they all get waps.I clean the base of vanes with acetone or laquer thinner too.

[elkaholic]

I did all kinds of website searches trying to come up with a mention of even a hint of oil in Isopropoyl rubbing alchohol and couldn't come up with anything. I phoned a lab tech friend of mine and asked him the same question. He couldn't figure out where, there would be any oil in this product unless it was added and listed as such. I'm curious as to where you heard this?

[petew]

I forget where I found this information, however in the Easton guide the make note that rubbing and isiprop:
This is copied from the cleaning part for inserts.
Easton Shaft Preparation and Assembly Instructions

FOR ALL SHAFT TYPES

• Cut shafts to length using ONLY a high-speed abrasive wheel cut-off tool designated for arrow shafts. Never use rotary tube cutters, a hacksaw or methods that can damage the tube and leave a rough cut.

• Lightly chamfer 2" to 3" inside of aluminum and aluminum/carbon shafts, just enough to remove any burrs.

• Thoroughly clean the inside of the shaft with a cotton swab wetted with 91% isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol).
CAUTIONS: Always wear a NIOSH approved dust mask and safety glasses when cutting any arrow shafts. Be sure to use a dust collector when cutting carbon or A/C shafts.

[elkaholic]

Pete I went into the site and also found this pertaining to fletching removal page 21 & 22 of the eastons tuning guide. Excellent information and a must read. Thanks.

Removing Fletching:
Caution: Do not soak any carbon shaft in solvents to remove the fletching or fletching adhesive. The solvents will slowly absorb into the shaft and weaken the resin that bonds the carbon fibres.

1a.When using instant adhesives, carefully peel off the vanes with a dull knife and remove most of the glue, being careful not to scrape deep enough to damage the carbon fibres near the surface of the shaft.

1b. If you’re using standard fletching cements, pull the vanes or feathers off by hand or with pliers.

2. Wipe fletching area with lacquer thinner to remove remaining glue residue. Do a final wipe with 91% isopropyl alcohol.

Caution: Do not use lacquer thinner, M.E.K., or acetone with nocks installed. Keep these solvents away from nocks and shaft identification markings. Petroleum solvents could accumulate between the bushing and shaft wall and weaken the adhesive bond. Also, the vapours from trapped solvents could cause the polycarbonate A/C/E nocks to fracture.

2a. For the best bond, follow with a wipe of 91% isopropyl alcohol using a clean paper towel.

3.Let the shafts dry before refletching per instructions above.

http://www.eastonarchery.com/downloads/ then go to tuning guide for those interested.

[scooter]

Pete I went into the site and also found this pertaining to fletching removal page 21 & 22 of the eastons tuning guide. Excellent information and a must read. Thanks.

Removing Fletching:
Caution: Do not soak any carbon shaft in solvents to remove the fletching or fletching adhesive. The solvents will slowly absorb into the shaft and weaken the resin that bonds the carbon fibres.

1a.When using instant adhesives, carefully peel off the vanes with a dull knife and remove most of the glue, being careful not to scrape deep enough to damage the carbon fibres near the surface of the shaft.

1b. If you’re using standard fletching cements, pull the vanes or feathers off by hand or with pliers.

2. Wipe fletching area with lacquer thinner to remove remaining glue residue. Do a final wipe with 91% isopropyl alcohol.

Caution: Do not use lacquer thinner, M.E.K., or acetone with nocks installed. Keep these solvents away from nocks and shaft identification markings. Petroleum solvents could accumulate between the bushing and shaft wall and weaken the adhesive bond. Also, the vapours from trapped solvents could cause the polycarbonate A/C/E nocks to fracture.

2a. For the best bond, follow with a wipe of 91% isopropyl alcohol using a clean paper towel.

3.Let the shafts dry before refletching per instructions above.

http://www.eastonarchery.com/downloads/ then go to tuning guide for those interested.

Great info everyone. If anyone has any other questions, you can always look in the sections of bowzone.ca -

We have some great downloads here:

http://www.bowzone.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=viewdownload&cid=1

including a link to the Easton Tuning Guide. :wink: :wink: :wink:

[petew]

The main thing is not to use "rubbing" alcolhol, get the isipropyl, and as they say don't "soak" the shafts.
The hot thinners are bad for noc's, but that sholldn't be a problem if you use a rag and a bit of sense.LOL

If you use wraps all of this becomes unnecessary anyway and you get a super bond with wraps too.