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archerytho

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have always used Fletch Tite Platinum im on my third tube and it is running out. Lately I have had the occasional feather fly off for no reason. So I decided to see if it is working and glued some feathers on some spare shafts and did what i always do, let them dry for 30 minutes in the jig and then 24 hours, they came off when I pulled them very easily. I have a new tube but hesitant to try it as it may be the same. Could this be a combination of a bad tube and the fact its been being used for the last 6 months. This is on carbon arrows (there is not way this stuff sticks to aluminium)

What do you think?
 
a -

Since they changed the formula a few years ago, all subsequent revisions have been dubious at best - at least in my experience.Prior to that, I've have tubes that were years old work perfectly.
I've been using various CAs lately with reasonable, but bot perfect success.

Viper1 out.
 
I've heard of people having issues on bare shafts. I use Platinum and it works great, but it's always over a wrap or cap dip (paint). In the past when I glued directly to carbon or aluminum shafts it was imperative to lightly scrub the shaft with 0000 steel wool soaked in acetone. Wiping off the acetone with a paper towel left the shaft literally squeaky clean. That was several years ago and before the formula change that Viper mentioned.

There's a recent thread on the board about fletching glue, you might want to try an alternative.
 
I had the same issues until I started wiping the arrows down with cleaner first. Normally rubbing alcohol is enough, but a couple times they still had some grease on them- this is carbons I'm referring to. Paint and certain wraps made this better or worse for application.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks for all the replys I have been using some quick dry glue that I use for vanes it works really well maybe even too well. It is rock hard to get off of the shaft and I fell like Im taking off carbon.
The first glue I ever used was nvp arrow cement.
 
Clean the shaft and base of vane/feather with 99.9% pure Isopropyl alcohol - nothing else. I'm on my third tube of platinum and NEVER has ANY problems. If I pull my vanes hard enough, the tear apart leaving the base on the shaft.
 
I use Loctite Gel with good results. Gave up on FletchTite, couldn't get it to stick to anything. It is really nice being able to get your fletching adhesive at any hardware store too. Cleaning the shaft well helps alot too.
 
I've used Saunders NPV for years without issue. Tried the Fletch-Tite Platinum and feathers flew off. Went back to NPV and all is well--again.
 
I use fletch-tite platinum on all my wood shafts over spar urethane. 5 min in the jig, 24hrs before shooting. Never had any problems. Maybe something with the carbons, or a bad tube?
 
Flex fletch glue is basically the same old formula that worked for years on all shafts. I do scuff and clean my shafts with acetone until they "ring" clean . Lancaster has it cheap too.
 
Carbon shafting is tough...but in my limited experience with it (less than 5 years...of about 30 years in archery) feathers and nocks seem to unexpectedly depart the shaft much more frequently than with other standard materials like wood and aluminum.

Many use wraps to help with glue adherance on carbons but wraps can edge peel, sometimes affect spine, and increase cost/arrow. They also make it more difficult to refletch without removing all three feathers, even if only one or two need replacement.

Some use plastic (Saran) wrap to 'friction fit' carbon inserts into carbons without gluing them in. Having tried both the wrap and the glue, and even with careful fitting of nocks to the string to avoid a too-tight fit, inserts still regularly fly off the carbons I use...kinda' like popcorn jumping off a hot stove. Interesting to watch as the arrow heads downrange but not exactly a confidence builder if you need your arrows to arrive with the same number of parts they left with.

Cleaning carbons before gluing helps glue bonds, but temperature extremes and 'heavy use' conditions do seem to bother them, at least for the GTs and CE's I've tried. That's an important consideration if hunting/shooting in hot or freezing weather, or under rough/brushy conditions.

When assessing arrow durability it pays to look beyond just the shaft material. 'Gluability' definately is an area of concern with carbons. Overall, I've found wood and aluminum to be a more reliable and time-tested choice.
 
I have used carbon and platinum for years with no issues. Than suddenly about 5 years ago I started having the same problem. Like many I blamed the platinum. Ended up switching to CA style glue, which I always hated for refletching purposes. I then tried flex fletch and still had issues. Strange thing is on aluminum and ACC's the flex fletch is working great. I convinced the issue lies with the new carbon shafts more than anything else.
 
The Platinum Formula change definitely impacted me. It is also inconvenient to acquire (purchased only at an archery supplier) and it does spoil with age. Using CA glue was miserable because it was so thin and runny, until the gel formulations were introduced. The CA gels now work great for me and are available at any hardware or big box store.
 
I've been using it for years with good luck ( I do use wraps), but I recently got a bad tube of it. Wouldn't hold even with wraps. So I don't really know what to think now. I've used some Bearpaw glue from Kustom King, and all is good so far.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Would Methylated spirits work Im having a hard time finding products such as acetone?
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Yes I only really started to look after I posted that (brain fade). Do you see any harm in using Methylated Spirts in the meantime, it is alcohol based.
 
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