DIY feather burner?

[lebhuntfish]

I successfully made one several months ago, very similar to Patrick's.  I used a 6v battery charger like Clint suggested.  For the burn wire I am using .045" stainless steel Mig welding wire, haven't had one burn up or lose its shape yet.

Stainless steel might wire,  I never thought about that.  I will get some and try that! Thanks Aaron.

Thanks Clint,  it was simple and cheap,  just the way I like it!

Patrick

[Aaron H]

Patrick, if you or anyone else needs any I can mail you some stainless weld wire, easier than buying a whole roll if you don't have access to any. Just pm me

[Mesophilic]

Long time lurker first post.

I haven't figure out how to post pics since photobucket crapped out, but can do so when I figure it out.

Anyway the best success I've had for the burner wire is ribbon resistance wire that vapers use in their vaporizer.  For power I'm using a Variac Autotransformer, if you can find one these are awesome as they let you dial in the amount of heat you need.



The wire itself is a 2mm wide ribbon, can be bought online or vape shops.  It will slightly expand when heated but nothing like the round wires I've tried.

Hope this gives some ideas of options.

[lebhuntfish]

Welcome to PA!
Thank you for the info,  I may see if I can get one of those and try it as well.

Patrick

[JEB]

I didn't have to make a feather burner as I got my dads Young feather burner from the 60's so I can't add to that but I just picked up a feather burning stick made by Howard Hills son Jerry Hill.  It allows me to slide a length of feather into the stick and then use my Young burner to burn the feather design.  I can burn almost any length of feather for future use.  No more tossing 3" of feather and no more choppers.  NOW if I can just convince my wife that burning feathers has a good smell to it.

On the sentimental side I can use all my dads old ribbons that he shaped.

[DC]

Do you think there is an advantage to burning the fletch before or after attaching it to the arrow? My brain says after might be truer but it may just be covering for a crooked shaft or something.

[lebhuntfish]

After is the way my burner is made to do it.  Not sure how the consistency would be doing it before it was glued on. 

Patrick

[Pat B]

I burn after fletching to be sure the feathers are evenly shaped. You have to be careful not to scorch the shaft, binding or paint.

[Hawkdancer]

I think we as a group come up with a lot of neat jigs, tools, and such!  I like Patrick's set up, and will try to duplicate it. 
JEB, you might try smudging sage and/or sweet grass while doing the feathers!  White sage if you can find it!  Lots of Fabreze, maybe!
Good ideas everyone, thanks,
Hawkdancer

[Hawkdancer]

Aaron,
Pm sent.
Hawkdancer

[JEB]

Back in the 60's in dads Archery shop I used to fletch and then burn.  This stick gives me a chance to burn smaller feathers for kids arrows and not have so much feather waste.  I won't mess with it now until spring and we get back from the SW .

I also like to fletch pencils with 1" feathers and give them away to the young ones.  This gives me a chance to burn that size feather also.

[Hawkdancer]

JEB,
Can you post a pic of the feather stick?  Sounds like a neat idea.  Thanks,
Hawkdancer

[JEB]

Here you go. You slide the feather into the cut out slot.

[lebhuntfish]

Thats cool,  I guess it would work almost like it was on the arrow.

Patrick

[JEB]

It does work like it is on the arrow. I just slide the feather out of the groove and snip the front and back of the feather to length .  I needed that thing like I needed a hole in my head but it does allow me to use smaller feathers for kids arrows rather than toss them.  That is the only reason I bought it.