Home > Arrows and Arrow Making > Tripple Fletching Jig

For many an archer the fletching process is a laborious and boring affair, I don't know too many archers that own more than one fletching jig, therefore the majority will be waiting around for a fletch to set so they can move on.

The idea then of being able to fletch all 3 feathers at once has got to be a good one and would appeal to anyone who finds fletching one at a time a real chore.

This jig has no brand name, I can only assume the makers were too embarressed to put their name to it. Quite simply the nastiest poorly thought out jig I have ever been unfortunate enough to encounter - They have taken the brief of "put 3 fletches on at once" as the only consideration without thought to how difficult they would be making things.... this is the result.

Made entirely from polycarbonate with a host of rubber grommets the jig requires the most accurate and lightest of touches. The shaft sits in a central well at an angle of 45° in to a receiver much the same as any other jig, the first fletch is then put into clamp 1 which slides along a guide at the bottom but is equipped with a rubber clip at the top which must be snapped on to the shaft itself. So far so good, fletch number 2 goes in to a similar clamp which again slides along a guide at the bottom to line it up, once again the top must be clamped to the shaft itself. This time however the clamp is a little shorter to allow you to clamp it underneath the first one, this requires a steady hand and the ability to hold the first in place whilst doing it.

The 3rd clamp.... this time you have 2 other clamps in place and must attach the 3rd to the shaft again in a slightly lower position, it is very crowded now and any slight touch to the shaft will cause the other clamps to "jiggle" about and become mis-aligned. Even a slight movement will be enough to move the fletch from it's desired position.

Using the actual shaft to clamp the jigs to is a bad idea, I am very dexterous yet all my attempts have ended is frustration, swearing and a poorly fletched arrow - I don't think we need to further humiliate this jig as it fails in it's primary goal of fletching an arrow well. The price I believe was around £27 which makes this an expensive mistake.

 

Rating
Features & Design
The idea of 3 fletches at once is good, the design is poor
Performance
Fiddly, not very secure, although it will fletch arrows against almost any other jig this looks stupid !
Value for Money
None what so ever
Overall
It is possible to fletch arrows with this but unless you have the fingers and touch of an Elf I would steer clear

 

 

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Essential Details
What : Tripple Fletching Jig Price : £27

Each clamp clips to the shaft - try doing it without disturbing the others.

3 clamps and not a magnet in sight.

In order for the clamps to work they must be tight, which in itself causes all sorts of problems when applying the 2nd & 3rd clamps.

Magazine

July 2010 The Mary Rose story comes to life this month, when Steve and Andy went to visit archaeologist Alex Hildred and got our hands on 500 year old long bows (literally). We look at the battle of Vernuiel, Andy visits France on a peace mission and we talk to Sid at Border.


June 2010 Bumper edition this month, a pig in armour, Geoff towers direct from Homildon Hill and a look at the Mary Rose. There is also news of the UK Atlatl championships and all the usual regular items.


May 2010 This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows. 

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