12 replies to this topic

[FuzzyFultz]

I have glued my aluminum and also a couple carbon shafts with the Fletch-tite Platinum twice. First time I used regular alcohol to clean the shafts after using a light scratch pad. The fletching came right loose. So bought some acetone and did the same again and used the same glue with new fletching, and good fletching. Same results.....coming unglued with just a very small amount of pressure to the fletching. The aluminum shaft was the first I tried, one vane came loose in flight. Yes, I am using enough glue, to much sometimes. So now I have some Gorilla super glue. Will this work you think ? Or maybe not a good idea ? Maybe I got a bad batch/tube of Fletch-Tite  Platinum ....?????
The glue is coming loose from the shaft, not the vanes. The glue is stuck to the vanes, Sooooo ????

[robertyb]

Sounds to me like you got a bad batch of glue. I have vanes that have literally a thousand or more shots fletched with Fletch Tite Platinum on both aluminum and carbon. I use MEK to clean with though. Dangerous stuff but works good.

[FuzzyFultz]

robertyb, on 06 February 2012 - 04:29 PM, said:

Sounds to me like you got a bad batch of glue. I have vanes that have literally a thousand or more shots fletched with Fletch Tite Platinum on both aluminum and carbon. I use MEK to clean with though. Dangerous stuff but works good.

Thanks, I am not much on texting or abbreviations. So what in the world is MEK ? I called Bohning and they are sending me a new bottle of the newest glue they have, Quatum glue. Dries in 8 seconds. So thumbs up for Bohning. I know I never had a problem until now.

Edited by FuzzyFultz, 06 February 2012 - 05:08 PM.

[vixenmaster]

Did you use rubbing alcohol ? Don't it has oil in it. Buy ajax powder use warm to hot water & scrub those shafts where you will fletch vanes. Once scrubbed well rinse in very hot water let them dry & fletch yer vanes on with-in an hr so dust doesn't settle on before fletching

[FuzzyFultz]

vixenmaster, on 06 February 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

Did you use rubbing alcohol ? Don't it has oil in it. Buy ajax powder use warm to hot water & scrub those shafts where you will fletch vanes. Once scrubbed well rinse in very hot water let them dry & fletch yer vanes on with-in an hr so dust doesn't settle on before fletching

Thanks will try that....

[Fullquiver]

Methyl Ethol Ketone which is very similiar to the acetone you used and should have been sufficient to clean your shafts.  Alcohol should have also worked as long as there wern't any additives to it.  I used to build custom arrows in my shop and never have had Fletch-tite fail unless you let it freeze or otherwise contaminated it.  It's my go to fletching glue and unless I find something better it always will be.  BTW,  I am talking about regular and Platinum fletch-tite glues, having used both on thousands of arrows.

[Jack Pine]

Fuzzy, have you ever used a silicone-based rail lube?  Nearly impossible to get rid of and nothing wants to stick to it.  I even use it on my snow plow and snowblower so the wet snow won't stick.
Vixenmaster's method is solid, but instead of Ajax, I use Skotchbrite pads and wipe off any residue in acetone.

Jack ><>

[FuzzyFultz]

Fullquiver, on 06 February 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

Methyl Ethol Ketone which is very similiar to the acetone you used and should have been sufficient to clean your shafts.  Alcohol should have also worked as long as there wern't any additives to it.  I used to build custom arrows in my shop and never have had Fletch-tite fail unless you let it freeze or otherwise contaminated it.  It's my go to fletching glue and unless I find something better it always will be.  BTW,  I am talking about regular and Platinum fletch-tite glues, having used both on thousands of arrows.

You know what Fullquiver, you have hit the mark. I bet that I let it freeze in the automobile while in my bow-case. I always take the bow case to Ohio with me and I put my little bow-hunter box in the case with the glue in it. That is exactly what happened, I let it freeze while in Ohio this year. Packed the vehicle night before leaving next day and I bet it froze that night.

[FuzzyFultz]

Jack Pine, on 06 February 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

Fuzzy, have you ever used a silicone-based rail lube?  Nearly impossible to get rid of and nothing wants to stick to it.  I even use it on my snow plow and snowblower so the wet snow won't stick.
Vixenmaster's method is solid, but instead of Ajax, I use Skotchbrite pads and wipe off any residue in acetone.

Jack ><>

Thanks Jack. No never used any silicone based rail lube. Ya, the Skotchbrite is what I used with acetone the second time around. I let the glue freeze in my vehicle is the problem Jack. I threw it away. I thought the glue was no good, but it was my fault. Bohning sending me some though.

[FuzzyFultz]

FuzzyFultz, on 06 February 2012 - 05:08 PM, said:

Thanks will try that....

OK, scrubbed the arrows with Comet after Skotchbrite, let dry for a while by the stove. Then just before putting the shaft into the Bitz, I  wiped the fletch end surface with the acetone and used a Q-Tip to wipe the vane as always. Then fletched one shaft with the Gorilla super glue. I really liked it. It is not as fast drying as the regular Super Glue brand and is thicker, more user friendly, not so runny. Takes a little bit to set, but I like it so far. I will find out tomorrow how it holds up. I did only one shaft to experiment with. Let it set all night just as I always do. Will try it out tomorrow after physical therapy at 9 AM.

[dropzone]

If I'm cleaning glue off the shaft I use a dull razor knife and then clean it with a SOS pad and hot water then rinse with hot water and let air dry over night. I do the same with new shafts except I don't scrap them. I never have had any luck with fletch tight. Gorilla Super Glue with the blue top is what I use, I Promise you will have to scrap them off. It doesn't take a lot I normally put 3 small dots of glue one at the front then middle then back and spread it out with a tooth pick. You'll get it after a few vanes if glue squeezes out the side you used too much. When I use a little too much glue I use a q-tip and clean the excess off. Acetone is bad for super glue it will leave a film behind you'll see it because it will turn white when you apply the glue. If you want to use any thing use Isopropyl alcohol 97%  if you can find it 100% is better either one will dry and doesn't leave a film behind. But just plane old SOS and hot water is all I use with out a problem.

Edited by dropzone, 06 February 2012 - 08:00 PM.

[FuzzyFultz]

dropzone, on 06 February 2012 - 07:58 PM, said:

If I'm cleaning glue off the shaft I use a dull razor knife and then clean it with a SOS pad and hot water then rinse with hot water and let air dry over night. I do the same with new shafts except I don't scrap them. I never have had any luck with fletch tight. Gorilla Super Glue with the blue top is what I use, I Promise you will have to scrap them off. It doesn't take a lot I normally put 3 small dots of glue one at the front then middle then back and spread it out with a tooth pick. You'll get it after a few vanes if glue squeezes out the side you used too much. When I use a little too much glue I use a q-tip and clean the excess off. Acetone is bad for super glue it will leave a film behind you'll see it because it will turn white when you apply the glue. If you want to use any thing use Isopropyl alcohol 97%  if you can find it 100% is better either one will dry and doesn't leave a film behind. But just plane old SOS and hot water is all I use with out a problem.

Well Thanks DropZone. That is exactly what I am using, the blue top lid Gorilla glue. Good idea about the drop and spread it around. I never thought about the acetone residue, you are right though. It will leave a white film. I think I will do a couple more that I have already scraped and used Skotchbrite and then Comet and let dry. They are dry and I will try a few now with out the acetone.

The new Quantum glue from Bohning is supposed to be really good. Similar to the Gorilla super glue per customer service lady.

[FuzzyFultz]

OK, I finished gluing up another half dozen. If I am able to shoot tomorrow now. Got physical therapy in the morning. I really like this Gorilla glue with the blue lid. Just as you said Dropzone, the toothpick worked fine. I got the hang of it after a couple vanes. Very clean job, I am impressed. I also like to put a little small drop just at each end of the vanes before calling them done. I also put a small amount of Elmers school glue on the nocks and lined them up. I tried this the other day and it works fairly well. The Elmers glue will allow you to remove the nock if need be and also holds the nock in place. It takes overnight and then some for it dry completely. I am using the Q nocks from Firenock in the 2219 aluminum shafts. They work perfect.