How to Fletch Arrows

Prep the arrow.

Rub down the arrow shaft with denatured alcohol on a clean rag.

Choose your fletching.

Decide whether you want straight fletchings, off-set fletchings, or helical fletchings and adjust your jig accordingly. Straight fletchings are those which sit on a straight line along the arrow shaft. Off-set or helical fletchings grasp the shaft at an angle or twist along the shaft, introducing torque in the arrow's flight for increased range.

Set the arrow in a jig.

Fletching by hand is incredibly hard, so use a fletching jig. Adjust its position depending on the type of fletching you've decided to use.

Measure your cut.

You’ll want to mark off 1 ⁄2 inches (3.8 cm) from the end of the shaft. Use a grease pencil or marker to mark the spot.

Line the fletching up.

Position the fletching in the jig. Use the jig's measurement feature to line up the fletching with how far it will be from the end of the arrow shaft.

Lock the shaft in place.

Line everything up in your jig. Take particular care to line it up evenly and at the appropriate measurements so that the fletching will adhere evenly and in the right spot.

Apply glue.

Add glue from the spot you measured to the opposite end of the arrow shaft. The glue should be in a line equal to the length of your type of fletching. Adjust the direction of your glue line for off-set or helical fletchings.

Fill in the edge of the fletching.

Apply glue to the rim where you’re going to fletch the arrow. Do not use too much glue, as this will spill out and affect the flight of your arrow.

Tighten the clamp.

Lower the clamp onto the jig and the arrow. A magnet built into the jig should keep the clamp tight without you having to hold it.

Let the clamp sit.

Wait at least 5 minutes to give the glue time to cure. It shouldn’t take too long for the glue to harden.

Remove the arrow.

Test the strength of the fletching when you take it out. Gently push on the fletching to ensure that it doesn’t move.

Add glue to the feathers.

Add a small dollop to the front of each feather. Do this at the end of each arrow tip.

Wait 2-3 hours.

You can use and shoot the arrows after a few hours. It doesn’t take super long for the arrow to become usable.