I’m starting to think NO. I’m brand new to building my own arrows and a few months ago I was somehow able to fletch about eight of the micro diameter VAP TKO’s using a straight clamp with left offset which TAC says they do not recommend using at all (I now understand why). That attempt was my very first ever so I chalked up the 3-4 wasted wraps and probably dozen wasted vanes to being brand new and having a learning curve to overcome. Well- fast forward to a couple of days ago when I decided to pick things back up and try to get my last four arrows fletched and I have wasted probably 30-40 bucks worth of material trying to fletch a single arrow successfully. I have no clue how I ever got those first 8 arrows done. I originally ordered 100 vanes, the adhesion kit, and a dozen wraps and I STILL only have 8 arrows wrapped. I ordered a left helical clamp two days ago as my first step and then contacted TAC about my wraps not sticking and was sent a new set of wraps which was nice but then was told I would need to CUT/alter my brand new helical clamp that’s coming to get these things to stick? ***? Did I just happen to order the most problematic vanes available for my first attempt at fletching a dozen arrows? Sounds like my luck for sure. So- being short on wraps and now glue I placed ANOTHER order for just 36 vanes this time (I have about the same amount left over), more glue, and wraps. Between the new clamp I needed for these things and my orders with TAC I’m almost $200 deep and don’t even have a dozen arrows fletched to show for it. I would have ordered this helical clamp much sooner which I’m sure is most of what my problem is but my first attempt I somehow by the grace of god I guess got those 8 arrows fletched with minimal issues but I can’t get a single vane to stick now and I refuse to waste anything else- I’ve already wasted a ton of what I had thinking I was just new and it was a steep learning curve but that feeling as turned into thinking I’m just dealing with an extremely problematic brand after being told I not only needed a new $40 clamp but I need to alter it to make them stick. I was excited about starting to do all my own work on my bow and my arrows but my lord it’s been an extremely expensive and frustrating learning experience for both the bow and now these arrows. Any advice as to what to do moving forward would be appreciated as I will not continue down this same road of wasted money and time.
TAC vanes- Worth the trouble?
TDaws77
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227 Posts
I didn’t have a problem getting them to stick. They still wont get anymore business from this lazy/idiot!
I think you did start with a rather advanced system. The primer pen, vane rigidity, and the ultra small base make it one of the more difficult in the fletching department. Also the Bitz can be somewhat of a learning curve as you are noticing. Cutting off the front of the clamp has become common practice for modern vanes so I wouldn't worry about that. However the adjustment can be problematic when trying to achieve full adhesion. My guess is if you would have used an AAE EZ Fletch that you would have had no issues at all. I know you have already invested a load, yet I would recommend that you spend another 30 bucks for one of the AAE jigs. I would save the Bitz for down the road. You will also get the helical that Tac is recommending with the EZ fletch. You will never be able to get more than about 2.5 degrees with the Bitz.
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10,663 Posts
Cannot agree more. Q2i are tough and easy to fletch. I don’t know if you could get them to not stick if you tried. Very minimal shaft prep and they’re on there to the point you will tear the vane before the base lifts.
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9,073 Posts
You probably picked the worst combination to learn to fletch with! lol.
Tac vanes definitely take a little bit of a learning curve to fletch simply because they are so stiff, especially on a 4mm shaft where the surface area is small. Once I got a few to "stick" and shot them I was sold mainly because of the how quiet they were in flight when compared to Blazers. I was also getting comparable groups at distance with fixed broadheads. So as I fletched more it got better but still not to the point that I had 100% confidence. I was currently using a Blitz jig, left helical clamp, Tac glue & primer pen. I personally thought (still today) that it was the jig even though I have fletched thousands of arrows with this jig. I just couldn't get the clamp to seat all the way with the correct amount of pressure that I felt it need to conform the vane to the shaft. This was just at 2 degrees. So again, I really wanted these vanes to work (as mentioned before) so I reached out to the Tac guys who were very receptive to taking my call and even invited me to come pay them a visit. Since I am fortunate to be only about 45 min from their manufacturing plant, I decided to take them up on it. Randy was my main contact but all the rest of the guys were all fletching with the Blitz jigs. Almost all of them were cutting off the front part of the clamp which probably does help with getting more downward pressure with the clamp without the top of the clamp contacting the jig base. My problem with this was that I didn't want to cut my clamp simply because my 4 Blitz jigs were used by my dad back in the early seventies and have a sentimental value to me. I can actually remember watching him fletch his feathers then burning them for desired shape. Ok back to present now.... so after all this I still didn't have anymore confidence, so I continued to look at different fletching jig options. In comes the Vane Master Pro. I had always wanted to try one of these but always told myself that I didn't need a $350 fletching jig but then told myself, not until now...lol. Right off the bat I could tell that this is the jig for me. VERY precise and well built. The wire clamp arms seem like they were made for the Tac vane base (even though thin) and I think this design is the best way to this day. I have never had another issue with any Tac vane sticking to a shaft. I can also get a "true" helical out of it even with Blazer vanes. Don't want this to sound like a sales pitch but I truly believe that this is the best fletching jig on the market today for modern day vanes. Sorry for the long post ( has to be a record for me!) but just wanted to share my experience with all this cause I was once where you are at. And to think, all this over a little rubber thing! LOL
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I got the DV-X 3" and Griff X 3"... I'm gonna build 6 arrows of each and compare results to my current Vanetec's. (which I have had excellent success with)
I've had a bunch of folks reach out to me specifically about these vanes... I've built a few dozen arrows with Q2i's but never shot them myself... So, since I didn't have any personal experience with them, I decided to give them a try. (I did the same thing this year with mechanical broadheads.... I didn't have any personal experience with them so I bought some of the more popular options and did some testing so I can discuss those options when customers ask)
Quite a few in my group shoot them and we've found some tricks that work really well. We use Arizona Mini Max for 2.75" drivers on hunting arrows. I use a Bitz with 2.25" drivers on my X Cutters for 3D. Prime, then I use 5 or so small drops of TAC glue and spread it to fill, but the (IMHO) BIG trick is to let the vane sit with the adhesive on it for 30 sec or so before you try to attach it. Seems to get a little tacky and doing that I have zero problems with adhesion. I find they are tough as nails, fly great and are obviously quieter than a lot of others
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4,625 Posts
I think you will really like those Griff x! Report back if you remember
TAC vanes will give you issues if you’re not getting even contact with the vane to the shaft.. the glue will not set if air gets to it. You need a jig that you can adjust. Do a proper dry fit to see if the corners of the vanes make even contact. I use a bitz. with a left wing clamp and have zero issues. Just loosen the set screws, with a dry vane in the clamp and adjust the top and bottom jig until the vanes set perfectly on the shaft. Tighten the screws and follow the primer and glue recommendations. I will say, I do add a little pressure evenly on the clamp while the glue sets. You should get the glue to set within 10secs. Some of the easiest vanes to do, if you’re patient.
VXR31.5 / Stan Perfex / Hamskea HHP / Spot Hogg Fast Eddie XL / Sirius Apollo / Tuffhead
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1,470 Posts
I’ll take them.
Here is a sample out of the last 4 dozen I have done, and yes I did modify my left helical bitz clamp. However, I will probably never fletch anything longer than 4 inches, so for me it wasn’t an issue.
I have done TACs in multiple lengths both with and without a wrap and have had ZERO issues that others describe on some of the TAC threads I have seen on the forum. I used to use their primer and glue, however in total transparency I have switched to acetone and BSI glue for no other reason than quantity vs price and have seen no difference.
I think where some folks may get sideways a bit with fletching these vanes is 1) they get too liberal with the primer which can malform the vane, 2) not liberal enough with the glue and the vane foot doesn’t seat well, 3) they don’t put enough pressure on the clamp which again won’t allow the foot to seat well, 4) they don’t leave them long enough in the clamp, 5) or some combination there of. Folks forget these are a VERY stiff vane.
Clean arrow surface, easy on the primer, enough glue to fill the foot with minimal squeeze out, moderate pressure and time in the clamp, have yielded great results for me.
Hope this helps; happy shooting!
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42 Posts
God fletches Matthew Levis
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13,804 Posts
I’ve never had an issue getting them to stick, helical included on small dia shafts (gt pierces). Same for aae, prep em and they stuck just fine. I have a cut clamp for my bitz(cut for completely different reasons) and I’ve had zero issues and I’ve used other jigs as well.
Their primer pen is basically just acetone, if you wipe the bases with a q-tip dipped in acetone (I.e. what aae says to do if you don’t have their primer) they stick just fine. You don’t have to use their glue either.
That said, are they good vane? Yes. Are they my preferred vane? No. They do have benefits, but they also have drawbacks just like everything else. If you’re having that much trouble, I’d just switch to something else and call it a day; we’ve all been there before
Their primer pen is basically just acetone, if you wipe the bases with a q-tip dipped in acetone (I.e. what aae says to do if you don’t have their primer) they stick just fine. You don’t have to use their glue either.
That said, are they good vane? Yes. Are they my preferred vane? No. They do have benefits, but they also have drawbacks just like everything else. If you’re having that much trouble, I’d just switch to something else and call it a day; we’ve all been there before
1st release of TAC vanes were very disappointing, did not stick well, wavy and inconsistent, I wrote them off. I later gave them one more try and since then I have had great results. Really like the material and stiffness, they fly great and I have had good luck with adhesion. I've shot 2 nice bucks with them so far, both pass throughs and both are still in the quiver with no damage.
I shoot mechanicals and .166 arrows with the 1.75'' Matrix or 2'' Tac driver in a 4 fletch with great results and they are very quiet.
I shoot mechanicals and .166 arrows with the 1.75'' Matrix or 2'' Tac driver in a 4 fletch with great results and they are very quiet.
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2,046 Posts
i liked this forum so much better before podcast became a huge popularity. see to many posts now about what he said she said on them their there they’re podcast.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I've gone down the latest and greatest fad several times... I'm a slow learner....
In the end I keep coming back to AAE Hybrids and Bohning blazers. Both have zero adhesion issues. Both require zero prepping. Both are hardy enough. Both steer stuff. Both are cheap...ish... And both are easy to get hold of fast.
In the end I keep coming back to AAE Hybrids and Bohning blazers. Both have zero adhesion issues. Both require zero prepping. Both are hardy enough. Both steer stuff. Both are cheap...ish... And both are easy to get hold of fast.
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4,404 Posts
I followed directions and have had zero issues with my TAC Driver 2.25 vanes. I don't think I could rip them off if I wanted to unlike some of these other "coveted" vanes being mentioned in here that rip, crinkle and peel with a strong breeze lol...................I also didn't use any of their products to get them to hold.
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They may not be the best vane invented, but he's right about the second part
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16,278 Posts
That’s because he has equity in the company that makes them.
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