Bohning tape won't stick

[WhistlingBadger]

Hi, all.  I've always fletched my arrows with Bohning tape.  On my last two batches of sitka spruce arrows, the stuff won't stick, and when it does stick it comes loose sooner or later.  The shafts are dyed with analyne/alcohol wood dye, but otherwise untreated, completely bone dry before I fletch them.  Wrapped front and back with silk thread coated with TBIII.  Any idea why this stuff won't stick?

A complication:  I heavily oiled my last batch with bear grease, and then noticed the fletching coming loose.  I could re-fletch them (ug, who has the time to do this twice?), but is there any adhesive that will stick to a greased arrow?

Any recommendation?

Thanks!
Thomas

[dylanholderman]

not sure what to do with the untreated set, but for the greased one's i think you are boned, i don't know of anything that will stick to a greased surface 

maybe spiral wrap them like english style arrows that way even if the glue isn't holding the fletches won't go anywhere.

[Pat B]

The porous surface of the shafts probably prevents the tape from sticking well.

[WhistlingBadger]

not sure what to do with the untreated set, but for the greased one's i think you are boned, i don't know of anything that will stick to a greased surface 

maybe spiral wrap them like english style arrows that way even if the glue isn't holding the fletches won't go anywhere.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.  Bummer--they turned out really nicely, other than the feathers falling off.   

The porous surface of the shafts probably prevents the tape from sticking well.

I wonder if spruce is different than cedar that way.  I don't remember ever having this problem with cedar.  Come to think of it, I don't remember having this problem with my first couple batches of spruce, either.  Would I be better with a liquid glue?  What do you recommend?

[Pat B]

If you can find Duco it is a good fletching glue or you could wrap your fletching, either with a full length spiral wrap or just wrapping the fletch fore and aft.
I've used fletch tape but on arrows with poly finish or cane arrows.

[WhistlingBadger]

Pat, I always wrap fore and aft with silk thread coated in TB3.  That's holding up fine.  It's everything in between that's screwed up.

I reglued a few of the greased arrows, just putting glue into the loose parts with a tooth pick and pressing them in place.  I did two with TB3 and two with duco.  Shot each a few times, and both seem to be holding up OK.  TB3 maybe a little better.  Time will tell.

[gutpile]

probably just gonna have to spiral wrap complete fletch on greased shaft.. won't come off then but .... it makes arrow whistle louder... TRUTH...gut

[Hawkdancer]

Fletch first, then grease?  I would go with the wrap to secure.
Hawkdancer

[WhistlingBadger]

Fletch first, then grease?  I would go with the wrap to secure.
Hawkdancer

Well, yeah, normally.  I didn't realize my adhesive was coming loose until after I'd greased them.

[JEB]

What is the purpose of greasing your arrow shaft?

[WhistlingBadger]

What is the purpose of greasing your arrow shaft?

Sealing the wood so it doesn't deteriorate or warp when it gets wet.