From: Picorancher71
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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You guys that use the Feather Chopper...I get inconsistent cuts on my feathers. Some good, some not. Any tips?
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From: Bud B.
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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Hit once. Hit hard. Make that one hit count. Careful with the fingers.
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From: mgerard
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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I cut the feather to length with scissors so my chop isn't cutting/chopping the quill.
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From: lefty4
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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I am left handed and usually shoot/chop right wing feathers. I have been chopping feathers for over 20 years but still get inconsistent cuts in the front of the feather mainly.
This fall I stumbled on a new technique that is working VERY well but I still don't have it perfected. I hold the feather in place with my right hand and just started moving my right index finger in front of the front blade. This way my index finger is holding the feather base on the front scrap portion of the feather. I use to put all fingers between the two blades and was only holding the "cut" portion of the feather. Now, I am holding the base just in front of where the front blade cuts the feather. This added support on the front "scrap piece" gives extra support and keeps it from "rolling or twisting" and results in a much more consistent cut.
It takes a little practice and care because it is a tight fit with your index finger in that area. But it works for me.
Doug
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From: M60gunner
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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One reason I don’t use the lil chopper. The top part (knife blade part) is a sloppy fit.
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From: strshotx
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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The quill width has a lot to do with inconsistent cut,it folds over when cutting.When I first started making an I bought a chopper,used it a couple of dozen arrows.Didn't like the inconsistent cuts,bought a Young feather burner and been using it for over 20+ years now.I much prefer it over a chopper,but if you are not planning to do a lot of arrows.A chopper is a lot less expensive.I used my burner when I made a lot of wood arrows.These days I just prefer to buy 4" precuts,I prefer 4 fletch these days but do still use my burner when I want to do something different.
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From: Andy Man
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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Old Young feather burner for me
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From: lefty4
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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Also, one thing you can/should do is "adjust" the top plate so there is no slop and it closes/cuts at the same place all the time. You can adjust the screws and/or add washers/spacers on the wire between the parts of the hinge. With a little bit of work, these choppers can be made to work much better and more consistently than they do out of the box.
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From: David Mitchell
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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I agree with mgerard...if you chop across the quill--especially if it is a little wide, the quill will turn on you and cause inconsistent results.
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From: Cameron Root
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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I am a burn man now. Got box full of choppers. Rooty
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From: thorn
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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x3, as 'MGERARD' said. Trimming the quill first is the key.
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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Rubber mallet hit couple times before you open.
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From: Wild Bill
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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I apply pressure with my left index finger, to the center of the chopper top block, thus holding the feather down and in place. Of course, I insure the quill is touching/resting/along the metal guide plate on the bottom block, before striking the top cutter block. I then tap the top block once on both ends, and out comes a fine looking fletch, with an angle cut on both ends of the quill.
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From: newell38
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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Get a shark cutter....no slop and consistent chops every time just using the palm of your hand as a deadblow
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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I use right wing feathers and buy left wing choppers. I put adhesive backed foam with a little gap to hold the feather quill in against the metal lip. I get perfect cuts doing it like that
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From: mgerard
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Date: 08-Oct-17 |
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Mike can you post a picture of that foam technique?
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From: lawdy
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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Bought a Youngs feather burner for 5 bucks at a yard sale years ago. Haven't used a feather chopper since.
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From: Zepnut
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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I put a eye hook on mine to help hold the block in place. Also hand is out of the way.
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From: Eric Krewson
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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I had the same results with a little chopper so I bought a Vario Clipper, perfect cuts every time.
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From: mountaineer
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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Love to see pics of that foam application Mike...
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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I'll try to get a photo after work today
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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Sorry it's been crazy the past couple days here are some pics
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From: 2 bears
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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They are spot on with the over size quill issues. My first one I traded for and it wasn't marked left or right wing. It took a bit to figure out and they don't work worth a flip on the wrong wing. Just in case that is an issue with you.>>>-----> Ken
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From: Cameron Root
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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I'll never buy another. I have several pounds of them. Rooty
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From: mgerard
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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Rooty, you're suppose to hit them with a rubber mallet, not a sledge hammer :>) Sure wish your French Curve chopper was still working :>)
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From: Cameron Root
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Date: 09-Oct-17 |
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I have one that works. Don't need them anymore. Rooty
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From: Wild Bill
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Date: 11-Oct-17 |
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87,
I would like to see that foam in action also, please.
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 11-Oct-17 |
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Here it is with a feather in it. It holds it perfect every time
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 11-Oct-17 |
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I don't know how to not have them sideways but I hope you get the idea it holds the feather in place then close it and give it a light hit with a rubber mallet. I get very consistent cuts doing it this way. Make sure you buy the opposite wing cutter than you use so the quill base fits between the metal and the foam
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From: mgerard
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Date: 11-Oct-17 |
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Thanks for the pics Mike.
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From: 2 bears
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Date: 11-Oct-17 |
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So by using the foam I can use the chopper I have, to chop the opposite wing? How cool is that? I think you just saved me from buying the opposite wing chopper. Thanks. >>>----> Ken
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From: Cameron Root
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Date: 11-Oct-17 |
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Cool I have a left right up for grabs.
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From: Wild Bill
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Date: 12-Oct-17 |
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Ok, I'm missing something in the explanation of foam on the chopper.
How does adding foam to the blade or base plate require a feather of the opposite hand? I shoot left wing and have a left wing chopper. The natural twist to the feather has to match the helical setting on the mounting jig, right? As I understand, only the banana chopper is either handed.
Also, the space on the base plate in the shape of the fletch, In the photo, appears to be cork.
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 12-Oct-17 |
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It is cork tape. It is the same principle as the foam. The two choppers I was using had cork tape. The foam does the same thing I just didn't want to dig through my giant box of cutters to find a foam one. The cork or foam holds the quill base up against the the bottom metal rest. When you chop le feathers with a le chopper the quill base edge sticks up so you have to hold it down. If you have a re cutter you just put the quill base in the space between the foam and metal bottom. You have to use the correct fletching jig when installing the feathers. The foam is 1/16 inch adhesive backed foam that I got at the craft store or a roll of cork duct tape works too. I found it at menards
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From: Mikolay87
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Date: 12-Oct-17 |
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Lw and rw dang auto correct
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From: 2 bears
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Date: 12-Oct-17 |
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I had trouble with the pictures too but re reading and then referring to the pictures I got it. The last post helps too. You leave a space between the metal stop and the cork/foam for the quill to go down in between it. Chop with the quill down instead of up. That is why you can't see the quill on the big red feather. The gap is to hold the quill in place. Have I got it now Mikolay87? Thanks again. >>>----> Ken PS the foam at the top comes on the choppers.
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From: davesonic444
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Date: 12-Oct-17 |
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I use a bohning chopper and get perfect cuts everytime. There is a spring loaded knife in it.
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