For the duct tape fletching, I tear off a strip a little over 15 inches (for three 5 inch fletches), lay down on a piece of wax paper, and cut it into 5 inch strips with a straight-edge and knife.
Next, I cut a piece of wax paper a little over 5 inches long. You need at least one of the 5 inch sides to be straight. Pull one of the 5 inch pieces off the wax paper and lay it down sticky-side up. Now I take the piece of paper I just cut, and lay it along the bottom edge of the tape. I just eyeball it, but I imagine it's just under 1/4" on the tape.
Now carfully fold the tape over onto itself, making sure the long edges line up together.
Now I draw the outline of the fletch onto the tape and cut it off. You can use whatever pattern you prefer, just make sure the taper ends up at the edge of the wax paper, like this.
Next, I lay the shaft down, and mark where the fletch will be layed down. You can see by the marks, there's a slight helical twist. It's a good idea to start with the cock feather, which will be perpendicular to the nock. I wasn't paying attention here and made the first one parallel to the knock, but it worked out ok.
Now, peel the tape open where the wax paper sits in between the layers.
Using the marks on the dowel, place the tape on as straight as you can.
Rub the tape well on the shaft once it's in place, then carefully peel of the wax paper from the other side, and rub it down good to get a good stick.
Proceed with the next fletch, laying it down along the edge of the first one.
Finish it off the same way with the third fletch. With a little bit of trial and error on how much tape you use for the "flaps", you can get them spaced out symmetrically without the tape overlapping. And there you have it. Poor mans fletching. It may not be the most durable, but works in a pinch.
