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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,054
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,054 |
I like my Bitz too, had it about 15 years. I finally switched to super glues a couple years ago. Wish I had switched sooner.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,479
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,479 |
I've used the same Bitzenberger for 25 years. They allow you to adjust the amount of helical from little, to extreme, and last forever. I have used three of them for about the same 25 year time period. They are the best as far as I am concerned. I won a lot of tournaments using them, when I lost it was not the arrows fault. Before them I used a Jo-Jan multiple jig that I could fletch 6 arows at a time on. It was not too bad but the little inserts that held the nock did not match each other too well, so you had to ste a couple of the knobs so they would match the others. The best set up I ever worked with was 24 Bitzenbergers set in a circle on a lazy susan type pivot. They were set so the shaft pointed toward the middle of the circle You would start on the first arrow then, move to the next, etc. By the time you got back to the first arrow it was set so you could turn to the second fletching position and keep on moving around until you were done. Really efficient way to make a couple dozen arrows in a hurry.
Nothing is fool proof for a sufficiently talented fool !!
"Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until your sights are on the target".
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950 |
I have and use a Bitzenberger. It works OK but I really wish I had a Jo-Jan multi fletcher. Local shop had one for sale last year for $100 but i didn't have the coin at the time. Dang!
The amount of helical is determined by the clamp, NOT by the adjustments on the jig. Those adjustments are for making the root of the vane/feather lay correctly against the shaft for maximum contact and bond strength. It is either set correctly, or incorrectly, and is must be adjusted for each different size shaft.
Our God reigns.
Harrumph!!!
I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,923
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,923 |
I have a Bitz with a right helical clamp.
I would like to try the Arizona EZ Fletch, is it worth 50.00?
Dave
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,479
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,479 |
Red,
I am aware of how to center the fletching with the adjustments of the Jo Jan, as I have made well over 200 dozen using the jig including small diameter beamans and 2514 "line cutters". The problem is the ROTATION of the shaft to be sure the fletchings are equidistant in their position around the shaft, which is controlled by the small positional knob that holds the nock. I had to reorder several of these to get all six to match each other to make all of the arrows match with out adjusting the individual shafts position in the nock.
Simply, the quality control of the Jo Jan product was not up to the quality of the Bitzenburger, which had been outstanding in all of them I have used. My existing set have all been purchased at different times from different sources and all produce high quality precise fletching. Once set they are very easy to use. My 8 year old made his own arrows with relative ease.
Nothing is fool proof for a sufficiently talented fool !!
"Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until your sights are on the target".
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,389 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,389 Likes: 6 |
I have a Bitz and love it. I don't need a multifletcher because I use fletching tape.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,090 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,090 Likes: 2 |
I used an Az ez fletch for years, still have two, they work well. I then went to the Bitz for little more consistency on spacing with skinny shafts... plus I like to try new gear.
Kent
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,923
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,923 |
Kent, they list a "new" model specific for 2" Blazer vanes with maximum helical on small diamter shafts.
If the tape works better I would probably stick with the Bitz.
Dave
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,090 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,090 Likes: 2 |
The first one I got was in the 80s for fat aluminum shafts, then in the 90s switched to ACCs and needed another for skinny, then switched to Goldtips with blazers and got the Bitz. I was shooting prong rests and consistency of spacing seemed an issue, maybe... but I use dropaways and WBs now and a ez would do fine really.
There's just something about the Bitz I like and the ez is a good take along jig for camp.
Kent
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950 |
Red,
I am aware of how to center the fletching with the adjustments of the Jo Jan, as I have made well over 200 dozen using the jig including small diameter beamans and 2514 "line cutters". The problem is the ROTATION of the shaft to be sure the fletchings are equidistant in their position around the shaft, which is controlled by the small positional knob that holds the nock. I had to reorder several of these to get all six to match each other to make all of the arrows match with out adjusting the individual shafts position in the nock.
Simply, the quality control of the Jo Jan product was not up to the quality of the Bitzenburger, which had been outstanding in all of them I have used. My existing set have all been purchased at different times from different sources and all produce high quality precise fletching. Once set they are very easy to use. My 8 year old made his own arrows with relative ease. fyshbum, I was referring to the earlier post about adjusting helical on the Bitzenberger, not the Jo-Jan. No offense was intended to anyone. I must have an older Bitz because there were no detented positions for fletching the cock feather down (or up), only to the side. I modified the adjustment drum to add my own set of detents for this. Didn't cost me a thing but a little time. Those are my favorite kind of fixes.  Another way to do this is to fletch the shaft before gluing on the nock, then adjusting the knock when gluing. If the plastic nock is pushed on hard with a bit of a twist, it will stay put while gluing but can be removed for final positioning when gluing. I'm a cheap bastid and can get quite creative when it comes to saving money.
Our God reigns.
Harrumph!!!
I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,903
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,903 |
I'm a cheap bastid and can get quite creative when it comes to saving money.
Amen, we're prolly related. Kinda why I'm getting a jig and why I reload. I can't see paying someone for something I'm capable of doing. Kinda like paying someone to take care of your lawn. Foolishness.
Last edited by brinky72; 05/04/12.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950 |
Last night I mentioned to my younger son that I would like to pave our driveway to the road. He said "You could hire Kenny to do it." I told him I would never pay someone to do something I am capable of doing and would do given the time, money, and inclination. I can't begin to tell you how many thousands of dollars I have saved this family by fixing and building things myself instead of hiring out, not to mention all the friends for whom I have done the same. Don't mean to sound haughty, but I am proud of the accomplishments and regularly thank God for the abilities he has entrusted to me. I know, I know, pride goeth before a fall. Sorry, but it is who I am and who He made me to be.
Our God reigns.
Harrumph!!!
I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 300
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 300 |
I use a Bitz. While I won't say it's the best as I've never used another jig, I like it and do agree with a few of the others, the majority of the people who have used multiple jigs prefer the Bitz I think.
It would be nice to be able to do more than one arrow at a time. I have considered trying a Jo Jan at some point.
+1 on this... I have a Bitz and love it. I fletch crossbow bolts with it and my regular GT arrows. Does a good job. it is faster with the new glue for carbon arrows and I have not fletched wood arrows in many years. For my use it is great. Would like to go faster but I'm not fletching for a living so it works and thats all I need.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 627
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 627 |
I use a bitz for feathers and an Arizona for plastic.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 627
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 627 |
+1 on the loctite gel its good stuff and easy to find
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