Traditional Archery Discussions on the Leatherwall


fletch tape vs. glue - durability???

Messages posted to thread:
MattG 03-Feb-25
Chris04 03-Feb-25
BEARMAN 03-Feb-25
Bob Rowlands 03-Feb-25
M60gunner 03-Feb-25
Deno 03-Feb-25
Ricky The Cabel Guy 03-Feb-25
Live2Hunt 03-Feb-25
Zbone 03-Feb-25
Rick Barbee 03-Feb-25
Witherstick 03-Feb-25
N Y Yankee 03-Feb-25
soap creek 03-Feb-25
Krag 03-Feb-25
Nemophilist 03-Feb-25
Nemophilist 03-Feb-25
sheepdogreno 03-Feb-25
trad archer 1 03-Feb-25
Bownut 03-Feb-25
Tundra 03-Feb-25
Supernaut 03-Feb-25
Jon Stewart 03-Feb-25
Krag 03-Feb-25
buckeye 03-Feb-25
Stix 03-Feb-25
Stumpkiller 03-Feb-25
Jimmyjumpup 03-Feb-25
Longtoke 03-Feb-25
heydeerman 03-Feb-25
tnlonghunter 04-Feb-25
Bushytail 04-Feb-25
MCNSC 04-Feb-25
Kanati 04-Feb-25
Bernie P. 04-Feb-25
Live2Hunt 04-Feb-25
tzolk 04-Feb-25
tzolk 04-Feb-25
dizzydctr 04-Feb-25
skeetbean 04-Feb-25
Bob Rowlands 04-Feb-25
Live2Hunt 04-Feb-25
TB 04-Feb-25
N Y Yankee 04-Feb-25
bodymanbowyer 04-Feb-25
Longtoke 04-Feb-25
Corax_latrans 04-Feb-25
Live2Hunt 04-Feb-25
Stix 04-Feb-25
Corax_latrans 04-Feb-25
Bob Rowlands 04-Feb-25
Live2Hunt 05-Feb-25
Corax_latrans 05-Feb-25
Live2Hunt 05-Feb-25
David 09-Feb-25
Corax_latrans 09-Feb-25
Lost Arra 09-Feb-25
reb 09-Feb-25
sheepdogreno 09-Feb-25
Tim Finley 09-Feb-25
Brucev 10-Feb-25
Rivercain 10-Feb-25
bowhunt 11-Feb-25
sheepdogreno 11-Feb-25
Jim 12-Feb-25
Babysaph 12-Feb-25
Babysaph 12-Feb-25
dnovo 12-Feb-25
Corax_latrans 12-Feb-25
Steve P 12-Feb-25
Therifleman 12-Feb-25
bodymanbowyer 12-Feb-25
From: MattG
Date: 03-Feb-25




Those of you who have used BOTH glue and fletch tape - Do you find a difference in durability? if so, which is stronger? And when you knock off 1 feather, is the tape (or glue) easier to deal with to fix that arrow?? thx in advance mg

From: Chris04
Date: 03-Feb-25




I use carbon shaft and exclusively use fletch-tape. It holds well and when the feathers are worned it's very easy to strip them out and install New ones . I have some shaft that went thru 3 or 4 re-fletching ....

From: BEARMAN Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 03-Feb-25




I have had tape come loose over time. I prefer glue since I have more jigs. If I only had one jig, I would use tape. Still dot both ends though.

From: Bob Rowlands
Date: 03-Feb-25




Both are good. I prefer Duco on wood for my arrows. I've used tape on gift arrows for time constraint reason but can't remember having had to refletch one from a tape fail. I also dot glue on the ends of tape.

From: M60gunner
Date: 03-Feb-25




Had some issues with tape and our 100*+ days. But for indoor use it’s a great idea. I use Fletch Tite usually but lately have used SG .

From: Deno
Date: 03-Feb-25




I tried tape a few times and had no luck. I use Platinum.

Question For tape users. Do you use a drop of glue on the leading edge of your feathers?

From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
Date: 03-Feb-25




Fletch tape for both aluminum and carbon. Never had an issue with durability.

Deno...

Yes.

From: Live2Hunt
Date: 03-Feb-25




Switched to tape exclusively. I do dap the front and back with glue. No issues with carbon, alum, wood.

From: Zbone
Date: 03-Feb-25




Fletch Tape is the best thing since sliced bread...8^)

From: Rick Barbee
Date: 03-Feb-25




I prefer good glue, but that's just me.

Tape is great as long as it isn't excessively exposed to hot & humid conditions, which we have here a lot. Especially the heat.

Rick

From: Witherstick
Date: 03-Feb-25




I use tape but put a small dot of glue at both ends of the fletching as well as the middle. We have hunted in wet weather and temperatures in the single digits to over hundred degrees Fahrenheit around this continent as well as Africa. It’s very rare that a fletching starts to raise up from our cedars.

However, you really need to try it for yourself. Your experience might be very different. You will hear opinions and experiences on tape that range from great to terrible.

From: N Y Yankee
Date: 03-Feb-25




I find tape to be very awkward to install, like I need three hands. I have no problem with using glue and when done correctly, I've never had a feather or vane just come off. They need to be cut off. They are on there permanently but it can be tricky to remove one if you are trying to protect the finish, like on a wood arrow. I'd much rather have feathers that are difficult to remove over fletching tape that "might" come off on their own.

From: soap creek
Date: 03-Feb-25




I've been using tape for years. Mostly on aluminum and carbon. Never had an issue.

From: Krag
Date: 03-Feb-25




I used glue forever and then switched to tape about 5 years ago for aluminum and wood. Happy with tape.

From: Nemophilist
Date: 03-Feb-25

Nemophilist's embedded Photo



I used Bohning Tape, or the Platinum Fletch- Tite Glue on wood and aluminum for many years and haven't had a problem with either one.

From: Nemophilist
Date: 03-Feb-25

Nemophilist's embedded Photo



From: sheepdogreno
Date: 03-Feb-25




I’ve used tape for several years now. It makes the job quicker and I never have an issue with longevity. I tip and tail mine with superglue gel just to make sure the ends can’t pull up. I’ve found arrows buried under grass or out in my field that have been there months and I still needed a knife to strip the feathers off to re fletch

From: trad archer 1
Date: 03-Feb-25




Not a fan of tape. Use mostly NPV and it has worked well on all my shafts in all conditions.

From: Bownut
Date: 03-Feb-25




If tape is preferred just don't use the China brand......definitely inferior to Bohning.

From: Tundra
Date: 03-Feb-25




fletch tape works well as long as you don't store them in a hot shed or building during the summer months where temps get up in the 90 -100 mark. I have had the tape come off in those temps. fyi

From: Supernaut
Date: 03-Feb-25

Supernaut's embedded Photo



I like tape. It’s easy for me to use and has held up great for me even after it gets blood soaked.

From: Jon Stewart
Date: 03-Feb-25




Tried tape, ONCE. The arrows were in a quiver in the truck and the feathers folded over. I gave what tape I had left away.

From: Krag
Date: 03-Feb-25




I store tape in the refrigerator along with any glues I have on hand.

From: buckeye
Date: 03-Feb-25




I had a lot of leaners when I tried it. I won't be using it again, however they didn't come off and held up ok.

From: Stix
Date: 03-Feb-25




I've used fletch tape and dollar store super glue. Not a problem with either although I do prefer tape for no other reason than it's less messy.

From: Stumpkiller
Date: 03-Feb-25




I make Douglas fir shafts finnished with MinWax Poly wipe-on. For decades I used Duco, then switched to fletching tape. I find the Duco has better longevity. I do use Duco applied by toothpick to tack back down the embolisms where the tape has humped up. When my supply of fletch tape runs out I will just use Duco.

Note that the tape works pretty well nand is fast, but every year I get two or three spots needing fixing. That's really not bad. Likely smoother finished non-wood shafts would not be a problem at all.

From: Jimmyjumpup Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 03-Feb-25




I will tell you my story. Then you decide. I went to Africa one year and took about 4 dozen arrows. I fletched 3 dozen with fletch tote glue and a dozen with the tape. When I got there and opened my arrow case all the feathers that were fletched with the tape were laying in the case and had come off of the arrows. The glue might be good for pissing around the back yard but I would not trust it on a serious hunt.

From: Longtoke
Date: 03-Feb-25




the only downside to tape I have found is it gets soft in real hot weather. a couple drops of glue on the ends and middle fixes this problem for the most part.

Can't say how it holds up in humidity. its bone dry where I am at.

From: heydeerman Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 03-Feb-25




I used tape for several years and went back to glue. I only use gorilla super glue gel with the green cap. Best stuff I ever used.

From: tnlonghunter
Date: 04-Feb-25




I love the Bohning tape and use it over wraps. While i love the look of traditional crested arrows and all that, I don't particularly enjoy building arrows and hate how messy glue can get. It's just what is needed to get back to shooting.

I've never had an issue with tape coming apart, even after a couple of years. I do use a dab of Gorilla glue at the the tips and tails. However, I don't live in a very hot climate, and I dont hunt or compete much. So, I don't have much riding on my shoots. I could see where it would be an issue in such places.

From: Bushytail Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 04-Feb-25




I tried the tape. Pain in the a$$ to get the paper off so your can use it. It also moved on the shaft after I got the arrow fletched. It wouldn’t stay. Yes, glue takes longer but it stays put.

From: MCNSC
Date: 04-Feb-25




Tape doesn’t hold for me, yes I clean the shafts and do everything I’m supposed to but it just doesn’t hold. Don’t know if it’s the amount of helical or our heat and humidity. I do like it for its ease of use. Pretty much use SG now.

From: Kanati
Date: 04-Feb-25




Fletch Tite Platinum on arrow wraps for me. Never a problem.

From: Bernie P. Professional Bowhunters Society - Qualified Member Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 04-Feb-25




Glue.Tried tape.Nuff said.

From: Live2Hunt
Date: 04-Feb-25




I tried the super glue, hated everything about it especially the mess. All of you need to stay away from the tape, bad stuff, awful, I will buy the supply of it so you do not have to!!!!

From: tzolk
Date: 04-Feb-25




Been using tape for over 10 years on carbon arrows. Only time I’ve lost a feather, on rare occasion, has been on an arrow pass through into a hard target. I don’t like sitting around waiting for glue to dry for one feather at a time.

From: tzolk
Date: 04-Feb-25




I should have said Bohning is what I use and for hunting arrows, I’ll drop a dab of glue on the ends. For practice in the back yard, just tape.

From: dizzydctr
Date: 04-Feb-25




I like the speed of tape but haven't used it a while. It appeared to adhere well to the carbon or aluminum shafts but I could not consistently get it to stick to the feather, despite cleaning with alcohol prior to applying the tape. I seldom ever had the problem applying plastic vanes. is there a necessary prep to the feathers before applying the tape that I am missing? I do put a drop or so of glue to the fore and aft ends of the feather.

From: skeetbean
Date: 04-Feb-25




I’ve used tape on wood ,aluminum and carbon arrows for several years now and have never had any problems.

From: Bob Rowlands
Date: 04-Feb-25




I've never had a problem with taped fletch coming off wood arrows in summer heat, or any other weather for that matter.

I've shot taped arrows in three digit summer heat here in arid CO and cant remember any fletch popping off.

I store all of my wood arrows in my barn shed in 5 gallon buckets. The windows are open in the summer and the arrows are out of direct sun. It gets plenty hot in there.

Off topic.

I did have a Duco/wood finish incompatibility fail many years ago. I fletched two dozen new arrows with Duco. The arrows were coated with something I hadn't used before. The fletch just popped off. No adhesion at all.

I learned that lesson the hard way. If you change the finish, check for glue compatibility on one arrow BEFORE making a production run. In fact check the finish for compatibility over cap color and cresting paint on one arrow as well. Had a fail there as well.

From: Live2Hunt
Date: 04-Feb-25




When I put the feather in the clamp, I put the tape on the feather and before taking the protective cover wrap off the tape, I take the handle of my knife and press it onto the feather. Then take the strip of plastic off the tape.

From: TB
Date: 04-Feb-25




I have been using tape for a long time, no complaints.

From: N Y Yankee
Date: 04-Feb-25




I think many of those talking about the "mess" of glue are using super glue or something that runs freely. I've always used either Bohning Fletch-Tite or Saunders NPV, Duco on woods with polyurethane finish. There is no mess unless you squeeze too hard or have some sort of accident. Use a small cup to stand the glue tube upright on end and the glue will not run out.

From: bodymanbowyer
Date: 04-Feb-25




Tried it. They came loose in time, except for the ends that were glued. Not a fan. BMB

From: Longtoke
Date: 04-Feb-25




I’ve found an arrow that has been in the grass and weather for years. Fletch was ate up but the tape was still holding the quill on strong. I’m surprised to hear these people having trouble getting it to stick.

I do clean everything with Den alc and run my fingernail across the fletch to make sure everything is pressed tight together.

From: Corax_latrans
Date: 04-Feb-25




I have found arrows out on the course, BADLY weathered, but tape still holding well. My only quality-related problem with it is that it’s unforgiving if the initial contact is not fully squared up in the jig. But for whatever reason, I find it awfully fussy separating the tape from the backing….

I’ve been doing my best work to-date using Platinum.

From: Live2Hunt
Date: 04-Feb-25




A tip, I use bifocals and a scalpel. I leave a 1/8" tail when I put it on the feather in the clamp. Push the tail down on the clamp and use the scalpel to lift the backing.

From: Stix
Date: 04-Feb-25




^^^^ I do this!

From: Corax_latrans
Date: 04-Feb-25

Corax_latrans's embedded Photo



And I forgot to mention…. Tape may be suboptimal in the cold. Two outings in a row now, I have lost one or two feathers on hard hits….

You can see in this pic that I just tagged a pretty sizeable rock when I dropped a shot low from 65… Today I replicated the feat, more or less and lost one. Temps were cold — mid-30s — but hardly “frigid”….

From: Bob Rowlands
Date: 04-Feb-25




I also lift the tape backing with an xacto knife. In fact dealing with removing the backing is the part of using fletch tape that I really don't like. I much prefer glue.

From: Live2Hunt
Date: 05-Feb-25




I have a taped fletch arrow that has been in my quiver for a few years for stumpin. I have shot that shaft into frozen dirt at 0 degs this year and past years without loosing a fletch.

From: Corax_latrans
Date: 05-Feb-25




What kind of shaft?

Maybe it’s my DIY wrap causing an adhesion issue?

From: Live2Hunt
Date: 05-Feb-25




Carbon with a wrap. I think the issue comes with not pressing the tape down onto the feather and down onto the shaft. I take my finger nail and run it along the edge of the quill pressing down on the shaft.

From: David
Date: 09-Feb-25




I live where it gets hot and humid in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. I use tape and dab each end with Elmers Glue. Don't have any issues. Just my experience.

From: Corax_latrans
Date: 09-Feb-25




“ I take my finger nail and run it along the edge of the quill pressing down on the shaft.”

I’ve heard that’s helpful, so I always do — or at least I always intend to… Road to hell and all that; maybe I’ve missed a few?

From: Lost Arra
Date: 09-Feb-25




For those using tape, ask your dentist for an old scaler. It's the perfect tool for removing the backing and also running down the quill after taping the feather to the shaft.

From: reb
Date: 09-Feb-25




I find that tape comes loose to often. I am using glue only now.

From: sheepdogreno
Date: 09-Feb-25




I’m not sure why people have had bad experiences with fletch tape. I put the fletch in the clamp then put down the tape with the backing still on. Rub my fingers to make friction heat. Pull up the backing and clip the tape at the end of the fletch. Tip and tail with superglue and it’s rock solid

From: Tim Finley Professional Bowhunters Society - Qualified Member
Date: 09-Feb-25




With tape the feathers fall right off in cold weather . I wont use it theres good glue like NPV and Duco that I have had arrows fletched for many years and the feathers are still on .

From: Brucev Professional Bowhunters Society - Associate Member
Date: 10-Feb-25

Brucev's embedded Photo



These 2 arrows are probably 8 year S old and have been stuck in this tree going on 5 years exposed to the weather here in Alaska. The birds and the squirrels like to perch on them. All i have use for decades is the tape and have found that it holds well for me.i just cap with spray paint and have had no issues of tape losing feathers. When I read this thread I went out and tried to pull the tape off and the quill came off of the feather had to use my knife to lift the tape. Still stuck good. Just my experience your mileage may vary.

From: Rivercain
Date: 10-Feb-25




You must be using better tape than I had. All my feathers that were taped fell off.

From: bowhunt
Date: 11-Feb-25




Old tape wont work as well.Keep it stored properly.In a box or in fridge.

Never had a problem with it myself.Its fast and easy.Easier to remove than glue when its time to refletch the arrow.Surprised folks have trouble with it.A severe helical could be not as good as glue when using it.Been using it for 25 years.A few fletchings have come of in that time.I have been through hundreds of arrows using it though.

Seems like these glue vs fletch tape threads come up every few years.Some like it and some have less good experiences with it

From: sheepdogreno
Date: 11-Feb-25




Bruce I’ve found arrows under the grass in the yard that have been there for years and the tape was still holding feathers on. It’s good stuff in my opinion

From: Jim Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 12-Feb-25




You can keep the tape, I’ll stick with the glue!

From: Babysaph
Date: 12-Feb-25




I used fletch tite for years. I liked it better when it was in the white tube. Of course it worked so well they changed it the platinum. A year or so ago I started using NVP. I love that stuff. I don’t mind waiting for feathers to dry on the shaft. I have patience. Besides I dont wait until I run out of arrows to fletch shafts. I always have arrows to shoot so I can wait.

From: Babysaph
Date: 12-Feb-25




I used fletch tite for years. I liked it better when it was in the white tube. Of course it worked so well they changed it the platinum. A year or so ago I started using NVP. I love that stuff. I don’t mind waiting for feathers to dry on the shaft. I have patience. Besides I dont wait until I run out of arrows to fletch shafts. I always have arrows to shoot so I can wait.

From: dnovo Professional Bowhunters Society - Qualified Member Compton's Traditional Bowhunters
Date: 12-Feb-25




Only experience I've had with tape is getting some arrows in a trade along with a bow and other accessories. The arrows were fletched using tape. While in a quiver the arrows resting against each other caused the fletching to lay over and separate. I've always used glue with never a problem and see no reason to change.

From: Corax_latrans
Date: 12-Feb-25




It’s an Option, fellas… Use it if it works for you; don’t if it doesn’t. Either way, that doesn’t make anybody else Wrong.

From: Steve P
Date: 12-Feb-25




Didn’t have real good luck using the tape with feathers, it would let the quill move back to its natural curl/curve. I ended up just tapping the front and he shot them all winter like that with no problems. I use nvp for feathers, use the tape for Mylar fletching.

Steve

From: Therifleman
Date: 12-Feb-25




No tape fan here. I've tried it and carefully prepped and applied it only to have it let the feathers migrate around the shaft. Big disappointment because I really wanted it to work. I'm convinced that it's some kind of energy that I'm putting out because some really like it. I use gorilla super glue with excellent results and do no prepping before fletching Just what works for me..

From: bodymanbowyer
Date: 12-Feb-25




X2 rifleman. BMB





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