Maybe the answer to that question is whether you would find it enjoyable. Fletching is one aspect of the hobby that I really dislike. Because of this, when I discovered 3d printed Easyvanes, I never looked back. I can re-fletch 6 arrows in less than 10 minutes with nothing more than hot water and Elmers glue, and they are reusable.

 

Yep, the price for a dozen custom arrows will basically pay for the jig, 2 dozen arrows and you're already in the green with money

 

I think it's worth it, but I also really enjoy customizing everything myself and doing it all on my own.

Get a decent jig right out the gate though.

 

What’s a decent jig to start

 

I love to build and fletch my own arrows, so it is worth it to me. Spin and square then spin the inserts and tune them to the shaft. Then bareshaft nock tune the arrows, and then fletch. All the while weighing every component and matching to get a consistent weight across all 11 arrows (keep one for bareshaft tuning). I might be a little OCD about it, but I enjoy it and when you are in the backyard slingin arrows, it feels that much better knowing you built them.

 

You can repair your arrows as well. I would hate to go to a shop and ask to refletch an arrow because one vane fell off.

 

Yea, I just can't imagine not fletching my own arrows. A bitzenburger jig is not that expensive, and will last you a lifetime. And it's easy once you get the hang of it. For the guys that don't, what do you do when you damage one, run to the shop and have them do one arrow for you ?

 

It can be a rabbit 🐇 hole 🕳.
Different jigs, or clamps. Buy once cry once.
Or buy cheaper and several.
Does it matter 🤔? Only you know.
I've had a bitz for years. Also picked up an ez fletch 3 mini max helical.
I enjoy building my own.
Is it cost effective 🤔? How many are you going to fletch in your lifetime?
Want your fletching to last longer? DON'T SHOOT GROUPS!
Good luck.

 

You can buy fletched arrows for less than the cost of fletching your own. I can replace a missing feather without a jig, it's not a big deal. If you want spine aligned shafts, and specific fletching, it will be cheaper in the long run to do it yourself than to pay a shop to do it.

 

Fletching your own arrows almost certainly will not save money in the short term. But it does allow you to completely customize your arrows for tune and aesthetics. Once you have the equipment and practice fletching your own arrows you also have the means to repair arrows, which can help save money in the long run. For those reasons it may well, "be worth it", even if it doesn't save money up front.

 

I also really enjo building my own arrows. I am constantly tinkering including changing fletching and feathers, weight, length etc. I can’t imagine having anyone else do it at this point (nice pun).

 

I agree with Mr Blonde about EasyVanes. I'm not a fan of doing my own fletching, and 3D printed EasyVanes are available in many styles and colours, are very easy to install, and are extremely tough.

 

At some point you’ll lose or strip a vane or two and need to replace it. Do you want to go to your pro shop and pay/wait for that or do you want to fix it yourself? That will provide perspective on if you should fletch your own arrows or not.

 

Huge pain in the behind. If you can find someone who sets them up right I would do that but have a set up at home so when you break a fletching you can repair it

 

I have the setup to cut and fletch my own arrows. Actually just finished making some 3/8 dowels into 5/16th for kid arrows and fletching them the other day. But, mostly, I hate how tedious it is and rather than do it myself I buy prebuilt arrows and cut them to length. Probably given up some tiny bit of accuracy doing this, but right now that works for me on a balance of limited free time.

If I had a lot more free time I'd spin/tune/build my own arrows.

 

honestly aside from shooting. This is what got me hooked on archery. I got a bitzenburger when I was 13? No instruction I just started trying things. I’ve been doing my own arrows ever since. There was something about it that made everything I did have a custom feel to it. Do it, you won’t regret it. I still use the same jig to this day. 17 years later

 

I’ve been fletching my own arrows for 30yrs. I guess it’s worth it to me.

Bisch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

Yes worth it. But you don't have to spend the kids inheritance to do it.
I've been using a cheap plastic Graylings jig for years and it does everything the mega dollar ones do. Unless you are fletching hundreds of arrows per day, the multi jigs aren't worth the additional spend in my eyes. I just purchased an additional clamp with mine. That way while one vane is setting, I set up the next vane in the spare clamp and simply remove the first clamp, rotate and apply the second clamp. Then repeat until complete, depending on three, four or more fletch.....
I see readymade arrows falling apart regularly at club shoots.

 

I love doing my own and putting my-own spin on the arrows. No punt intended. And for the cost to get set up isn’t as bad as you might think.
Saw, spinner, square, vanes, wraps, plenty of inserts of all weight, different nocks , and plenty of colors of all the above. Almost forgot an important tool and that is the fletching jigs, or jigs. Good luck and have fun.

 

There is a segment of archers and bowhunters that find deep fulfillment by customizing their gear. It can be owning a press and draw board to do your own bow setup and tuning, buying a fletching jig and cut-off saw to craft arrows, repainting and modding stands and sticks, some even have industrial sewing machines to craft bags, pouches, etc. In traditional archery, this is more common than compound archery and likely where I developed the enjoyment of DIY.

Whether building your own arrows is really cost effective would require offsetting gas, mileage and potential frustration by taking arrows to a shop or just buying new ones every time you need them refletched......against the "start-up" costs of a fletching jig, clamps, saw, vane assortment, nocks, cleaning fluids, adhesives, grain scale and spin tester. I started fletching my own arrows in 1977 during my FITA target competition phase, as I was wrecking arrows shooting tight groups and ripping off feathers regularly. The same Bitzenberger jig and clamp I bought then is still going strong 46 years later with who knows how many dozens of arrows being completed for myself and others. It allows you to test various vane types and configurations, along with cutting and testing wraps and such, without involving another party who might cut the shafts the wrong length or install the components poorly. If you have even a small dose of OCD, you will never be quite satisified with the work of others when you can learn to do it as well or better yourself.

 

If you're happy with your own shops work for arrows, continue to buy from them. If you want to test different configurations, or want to control every part of the arrow build, then getting a jig is the way to go.

 

An ez fletch or bohning fletch tower are only like $40-$50. Honestly though I got so tired of reflecting arrows after I nick one so I basically moved it all over to 4 fletch zingers. Working great so far

 

If you have some spare money then absolutely it is!
If it's fletching supplies over your next few meals though,then no.
As others have said,get the best gear you can afford from the get go.
I'm one that finds it to be really enjoyable.
I don't see it as an investment as such, like,to "save" money over buying pre made arrows,but it's definitely worth it for the satisfaction of having your own things on hand and being able to do it yourself.

 

I hate fletching with an unheard of passion, but... My arrow of choice doesn't come pre-fletched, my outdoor arrows and my shop's saw don't get along too well [last ones I had cut there I heard about half of them fall out of the saw... not confidence inspiring], and my shop isn't set up for the 5deg+ left helical I prefer [no. I'm not a clocking follower, left just gives me better clearance on my recurve]. So, worth it and the amount of words that would embarrass a sailor that comes with it... not at all but a required necessity to get what I want.

 

I love fletching as much as shooting. It only takes 2 or 3 times to get your investment back even if you buy the best equipment. That would include a Bitzenburger Fletching Jig.

They only run about $100 and I've bought a few on-line from other shooters for about $70.

Get one with a straight clamp and buy a helical clamp. I only use helical these days. Today I fletched these. I've got the television on while I fletch: I can never do that when reloading. I experimented with fletching tape for the feathers and wow did it speed things up. The tape does not work with vanes.

I like doing 4 fletch and change the color on occasionally to find what is the best color to see on different target faces and at different ranges. Buy your feathers in either 50 or 100 feathers per pack. Fifty lets me do a dozen shafts with two feathers left over.

Choosing Left Or Right Helical is not important. Just buy Left or Right Wing feathers to match your clamp.

 

It is for me....I get to pick the colors, fletching types, and the shafts I want.....plus I like making them. Better QC, you save money and you can repair them or completely change the setup later if you want to try something new.

You don't need a room for it....throw a piece of cardboard on the table and roll with it. In a few hours put it all away until the next time. I did that for decades until I got a shop.

 

I’ve fletched my own arrows for 40+ years and my sons and a friends arrows for many years. Is it a money saver, yes, I believe it is. But I mostly do it because I can customize and I just enjoy doing it. I use a Bitzenberger .