Spin Wings

reaper · Spin Wings

Hi all
Im still here, shoulder is all better now

I am going to be buying my first ever set of arrows,was thinking of cartel expert, however I wanted to use spin wing fletchings and wanderd if there was any other way to fletch them other than using the beaiter tri liner???

Ps I have never fletched an arrow in my life so any advice given would be appreciated!!

Thanks
Reaper

Jabberwocky

Hi Reaper,

Fletching spin wings is fairly simple if you have an ordinary fletching jig and the nock type you have installed on the arrows will allow you to rotate them after fletching. All you need to do is make sure that the arrows are cleaned as per the instructions and then use a pencil of a super fine gold/silver marker to put lines on the arrows 120 degrees apart with approximately 1 degree off set (as spin wings seem to work best at this angle on the shaft) and mark a point at the back and or front of this line where the fletching will start/finish. Then using a lightly sprung small bulldog type clip to hold the fletching fit the tape to the fletching, ensure that it has stuck well and peal the backing off. Then using the clip to make it easier to hold simply position the fletching on the shaft and smooth it on with your thumb to make sure it is well stuck. Then remove the clip and repeat for the other fletchings. Once complete cut a length of top/tail tape and apply it to the front and back of the fletchings and secure the end of the tape with a drop of glue or clear nail varnish. Finally twist the nock round to give you the best alignment for clearance on your bow.

I used this method for years with no problems and it is certainly a cheaper way of trying out spin wings without the expense of buying all the Beiter stuff. However these days I use the beiter jig to mark up my arrows and the wing holders to fletch the arrows as I like the convenience and accuracy of the wing holders and the jig allows for a wider offset range so with a little playing around you can it set up so you don't need to adjust the nock/fletching alignment after fletching.

I hope my explanation is clear enough and this helps

reaper

Thanx
Ill give that a shot,sounds simple enough.
Why do the spin wings need the 1 degree offset??

Thanx again

Jabberwocky

Arrows should spin slightly as they are shot, this helps stabilise them in the same way that Rifling in in the barrel of a gun is designed to spin a bullet to stabilize it in the air. One of the ideas around spin wings is to achieve this effect better than normal "straight" vanes do. I and many others have found that around 1 degree usually has the optimum effect (although feel free to experiment).

If you download the instructions for the beiter wing holder you will find that they include a 1 Degree offset "button". Werner Beiter seeks advice and feedback from some of the best archers in the world and would not go to the trouble of including such an accessory for no reason, further reinforcing the theory that 1 degree offset is generally regarded as the best angle to fletch spin wings.