Fletching is one of the hindrances that a user might face in their bow-hunting experience. However, the likelihood of this can be immensely reduced by attaching a quality jig to the arrow using a fletching glue.
A quality fletching glue guarantees the integrity of the hunting bow against any unforeseen issues. Because of the vast number of brands of fletching glues to choose from, it can become challenging to choose one most suited to your liking.
It can be tacky to lay out all that you should consider before making your purchasing decision. This is why we have laid out a guide for you below where you can find information regarding the useful features and its usage.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Fletching Glues
- OUR TOP PICK: Starbond EM-2000
- RUNNER-UP: Bohning Fletch Fuse Instant Glue
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Gorilla 7805601
Comparison of the Best Fletching Glues
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What Makes Glue Great for Fletching Arrows?
Fletching arrows requires a solution that would provide the extra strength that is needed to stabilize the arrow. Glue is also more compatible with a wide range of materials used for arrows. Here’s why glue makes for a great choice for fletching arrows:
Suit Different Climatic Conditions
Most glue brands offer compatibility with different climatic conditions. This means your medium of bond will not come off because of humidity or dryness.
Portability
Fletching glue is one of those things which can come in handy anytime when the user is out on their hunting expedition. They are useful for quick fixes, which is why they are easily transportable and carry-able. They are also super compact, which allows for the repairs to be done on the spot.
Quick Setup Time
The glue has a liquid consistency, which makes it super easy for it to come out of the bottle or tube and has quick drying times. It also doesn’t require too much effort to hold pieces together till they dry out and has a long shelf life, which allows it to be re-used for hunting purposes in the future.
Heavy-Duty Strength
Fletching glue can hold parts together without any risk of them falling off without the help of added pressure. The thickness is also ample enough to survive any accidental damages.
Are All Fletching Glues the Same?
In the market today, the two main types of fletching glues are Cyanoacrylate (CA) and Solvent-Base. The former is formed of an acrylic resin, which is made of molecules forming connections once they make contact with water. It normally results in a plastic mesh as a form and solidifies.
What makes CA glue different from the solvent-based glue is its molecules' ability to link together quickly to provide a strong setting base. This makes it a lot more efficient in terms of its instant curing ability. However, it has some drawbacks, such as its inability to tolerate harsh conditions, and it is also tougher to remove if the user wishes to fletch their arrow again. The holding strength is not up to the mark either.
In comparison, solvent-based glues can find their way into the tiniest of nooks and crannies of an object, thereby creating a strong bond even after evaporating. They also provide a better, weather-resistant formula as compared to CA glue. Not only this, but they prove to be longer-lasting than the CA glue. The only slight drawback is that it takes a longer time for a solvent-based glue to dry up.
Overall, solvent-based glues are better for fletching issues because they have a stronghold in terms of strength and resistance to weather conditions.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
Type: The chemical type used in the glue. Cyanoacrylate (CA) is an acrylic resin with a quick curing time. This type reacts to moisture, forming tight chains, creating heat, and bonds instantly. Solvent-based types fill in any gaps or spaces and as the solvent evaporates, the adhesive bonds to surfaces.
Compatibility: Common arrow parts the glue is compatible with. This can include vanes, nocks, feathers, and inserts.
Cure Time: How long it takes for the glue to fully set and be ready for use.
Review of the Best Fletching Glues
After considering overall customer reviews, the following are the best fletching glues we have chosen to review for you in terms of their pros and cons and the most striking features.
Best Overall:
Starbond EM-2000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Known for its durability and long-lasting shelf life, the Starbond EM-2000 is also praised for its industrial-grade quality. It is reportedly famous amongst consumers for lasting out in cold temperatures and for coming in a whole package of additional supplies that may come in handy for fletching.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What makes Starbond stand out from other fletching glues on this list is the multi-purpose nature. This means that it is equally suitable for regular tasks. Having a thickness of 150 cPs along with an extremely fast bonding time of 10-20 seconds, it is one of a kind.
Being of immense use in any repair situation that could come to mind, it has a medium thickness, which solves small to big repair issues. It can also be used to fill any gaps in the wall or wood, making it great for use in construction repairs. There is no wastage in its usage, and there’s no need to over-squeeze the bottle to get the product out.
Bottom Line
The Starbond’s availability in the form of an aerosol and a pump sprayer gives a lot of freedom to the users in terms of choice. Each option has its benefits for use under different circumstances too. The aerosol decreases the drying time, and the accelerator leaves the product without any white films on it. Overall, owing to its versatility and affordable price tag, it is a very good deal.
Product Specs
Type:
Cyanoacrylate (CA)
Compatibility:
Vanes, feathers and nocks
Cure Time:
120 seconds
Runner-up:
Bohning Fletch Fuse Instant Glue
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Hailed as a budget-friendly instant glue option, this one has been praised for its versatility when it comes to handling various nooks and crannies of an arrow. It is liked for being equally effective on a shaft having different materials, such as carbon, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Being a product that can easily provide a stable base for your bow no matter what the weather conditions are, this can be the perfect solution to your fletching needs, provided that you use it in the correct manner. The ideal way is to ensure the surface that has to be treated is dry, which would allow the glue to stick together.
Not only is it great for bonding wooden surfaces, but it also works well with aluminum and fiberglass, which is the contemporary material used today for making arrow components. Compared to other brands, it has slightly more thickness and calls for a 30 seconds clamp time. To avoid this glue from drying out too early, it can be kept in a plastic bag inside a refrigerator away from food.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, the quality of this glue is unmatched, especially considering its price point. The best thing about this is that it can be used multiple times for an extended period. The best results come from it if enough curing time is given, which adds to its strength.
Product Specs
Type:
Cyanoacrylate (CA)
Compatibility:
Vanes, feathers and nocks
Cure Time:
2 hours
Best for the Money:
Gorilla 7805601
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most users have reported its affordability to be the top reason behind its purchase. Users also love how the bottle of this Gorilla glue can fit in easily in their hunting backpack and lasts longer in comparison to other brands.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Not only does this glue work amazingly on vanes, but it also embodies a large head, which makes the application super convenient for the user. This is half the hassle that it would otherwise be to get the glue out. Moreover, its setup time is also pretty instant, which means users can take off the clamp once they have applied the glue in under two minutes.
For getting the best out of this fletching glue, it is advised to always shake it before use to balance its thickness and prevent any runniness during application. Judging by its look, it gives the impression of high-end super glue and also delivers features of one, which is quite outstanding.
Bottom Line
Based on the price point and the efficiency of this super glue, it is safe to say that it is one of the most affordable and hassle-free fletching glues that you can get. It can be a really good choice if you are looking for something that would set on hand without you having to wait long hours.
Product Specs
Type:
Cyanoacrylate (CA)
Compatibility:
Vanes, feathers, nocks and inserts
Cure Time:
10-30 seconds
Best Glue For Fletching Carbon Arrows:
Bohning Platinum Fletch Tite
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Being a solvent-based glue, this product is known for drying out quickly and very neatly without the risk of over-spilling. It is also reported to offer more working time for the users and also works well in low humidity settings.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This fletching glue is pretty durable for the price range it is offered at. It offers flexibility to the user by being malleable even after drying up but still withholds immense consistency. The promising strength, combined with the thin consistency, easily reflects its good formulation.
Its nozzle is quite eloquent, giving control to the user in terms of application. Its design also lends to easy cleaning and prevention of any unforeseen clogging. It works great for just any kind of arrow and is custom-made for vanes and feathers.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a fletching glue that would make the vanes stick in a sturdy manner while being malleable enough to be removed easily for any adjustments later, this is the one to go for. It also offers a lot of flexibility, which is frequently needed when hunting with arrows.
Product Specs
Type:
Solvent-based
Compatibility:
Vanes and feathers
Cure Time:
48 hours
Best Fletching Glue For Blazers:
Loctite Ultra Control Super Glue
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
One reason for the inclination of majority users towards this fletching glue is its strength; it is made of the highest quality rubber, which has been transformed to toughened super glue, preventing any shocks or vibrations.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Withstanding high temperatures along with chemicals, moisture, and freezing temperatures is the stronghold of this fletching glue. Its bottle is designed to enable more control for the user, and special care has been taken to ensure a no-drip application.
It is great for multipurpose use and for treating multiple surfaces, such as rubber, wood, paper, metal, ceramic, leather, etc. The applicator is extremely user-friendly; it does not have to be meddled with roughly to dispense gel with precision. The glue is specifically formulated to be tough and withhold rough conditions.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is great fletching glue for those who are purely looking for strength and one that is compatible with various surfaces. In this manner, Loctite Ultra-Gel Control Super Glue offers a lot in great packaging, which prevents wastage that, too, at an affordable price.
Product Specs
Type:
Cyanoacrylate (CA)
Compatibility:
Vanes, feathers and nocks
Cure Time:
24 hours
Fletching Tape vs. Glue - Comparison Overview
For fletching, either tape or glue can prove to be useful, depending on the circumstances. To help you gain a clearer understanding, both have been compared under some sub-headings, leading up to the conclusion below;
Faster Setting
The tape has the tendency to set faster than glue, which means it can be a good choice for people looking to wrap things up quickly. By using tape, stripping becomes easier and quicker.
Precision
For people who don’t have the habit of working with precision, glue can become quite messy. Not everyone can handle its spillage or revert it in case any changes have to be made. However, overall, the tape is more expensive.
Ease of Use
Tape may also not be the best choice because it gets tough to put on if there are more than two different feathers to adjust. Trying to tape down two at the same time can force the feathers in a curly shape on the shaft. Even though a tape can be just as efficient in sturdily holding the feathers to the shaft, the curling outcome is not something that is preferred by most users. This often becomes the reason why people choose glue over tape most of the time.
Starbond EM-2000
Fletching Glue Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Success
No matter how good your fletching glue is, you may never end up with the desired result if you don’t know how to work your way around it. You can follow these tips and tricks below to get the best out of your purchase;
Vane Preparation
To make the most out of your glue, you need to ensure proper preparation of the arrow shaft and vane. This can be done by putting vanes on wraps correctly, as these would determine how smoothly your glue goes onto these surfaces. This is why this step should be supervised to ensure the shafts' cleanliness prior to the installation of the wraps.
Setup Time
All fletching glues have their own setup time, depending on their formulation and consistency. Normally, it does not take more than a few minutes. Stronger glue requires more time to cure, but it is worth the wait.
Maintenance
Most glues go ineffective or brittle in a short while, which is why it is suggested that shafts should be prepared carefully; scrubbing with a green pad usually gets the job done. Following this step, denatured alcohol can be used to wipe the surface and hands, or any other prints must be kept off it.
Precision
A number of super glues tend to be really messy when used for the purpose of fletching. However, the root cause is usually just excess application, so it is advised to be really precise when targeting the spot to put on the glue.
Adhesive Quality
The strength of the glue is often undermined. When making your purchasing decision, ensure that it works in a hassle-free manner for fletching arrows and if it has the tendency to be re-glued. Glues that are good for inserts are always more reliable.
How to Remove Fletching Glue
Fletching glue can be removed by various methods, though some may take longer than the others, depending on the consistency and overall formulation of the fletching glue. Normally, a vane stripper does the job by gliding over the surface. Another method is by wiping the surface with acetone repeatedly. Isopropyl alcohol works pretty well, too, for this purpose.
How Long to Let Fletching Glue Dry?
There is no rule set in concrete when it comes to letting the fletching glue dry. It is really quite dependent on the formulation, clamp time, and dry time of the glue. Fletching glues with medium consistency take about 15 to 20 minutes to dry. This allows them to set and bond. Care should be taken to not touch or move the joined surfaces so they can strengthen efficiently.
How to Remove Fletching Glue From Your Fingers
Even though it can be a little tough to get the fletching glue from off the fingers, it can be achieved with some patience. A common remedy to this is dipping your fingers and rubbing them in saltwater. If this does not work, try oils or acetone.
How Long Should Fletching Glue Dry?
All brands offer varied drying spans. This is usually mentioned in the information section of the packaging. If kept under recommended atmospheric conditions, the majority of fletching glues can take 15 to 20 minutes to dry. After application, keep the arrow under cool atmospheric conditions.
Fletching Glue Dispenser Bottle Tips
The glue dispenser should, after application, be kept in cool conditions and also tightly sealed to prevent any airflow inside the packaging that may dry the glue and render it useless for further uses.
How Do I Get My Fletching Glue to Stop Hardening Between Uses?
Fletching glue can be prevented from turning hard and useless. This is usually done by limiting any contact to air and humidity. A quick hack is placing the glue inside of a glass bottle and covering it with a sealing lid, after which some uncooked rice can be poured onto it.
How to Fletch Your Own Arrow Using Fletching Glue
After you are done building your own arrows using the right arrow shaft and components for your bow, you will be required to trim the shafts to your draw length so that the bow is ergonomic to use. To fletch your own arrow using fletching glue, ensure it is clean and dry.
The first step is to dip the shaft in hot water and then dry it using a cloth. Next, sterilize the shaft by using alcohol or any other cleaning method. The next step is to determine the amount of glue that needs to be used. Then locate the vane and the arrow shaft in a fletcher jig. Usually, a sufficient amount is putting glue on the vane until it covers about half of the base width.
The last step is to check its working. This can be done by locating an arrow shaft in the jig and fletching in the clamp. The clamp should be located on the jig till the glue dries. The outcome would be great-looking arrows, after which the wait would be worth it.
If you want a visual reference to what is mentioned above, be sure to refer to this video;
Conclusion
By now, it must be quite evident that to fletch your arrows in the correct manner, you need more than a fletching jig and arrow; you also need a sturdy glue to match. This will ensure accurate fletching and perhaps even more precise shots. Combined with good packaging and storage options, the glues available today don’t wear out in terms of shelf life and come with quick drying times.
People Also Ask
Landing a quality fletching glue within your budget is not the end of it; there may be many concerns that arise as you use it for multiple purposes. To help you move smoothly through its usage, we have answered some frequently asked questions below;
Can I Use Super Glue For Arrow Fletching?
There is very little difference between the two, but what makes fletching glue unique is its strength, which is higher than super glue. Fletching glue is also considered to be a type of super glue by some people.
For binding the vane and the arrow, super glue can be sufficient, but you cannot expect it to hold as long as fletching glue would. Therefore, the former can be used for arrow fletching in case of a lack of better options and only as a temporary measure.
Can You Use Fletching Glue For Inserts?
Fletching glues are not strong enough to use for inserts. Instead, users can go for rubber toughened agents. A good investment sworn by many consumers is the Gorilla's Super Glue with the rubber impact-resistant additive.
Should Arrow Nocks Be Glued In?
Usually, arrow nocks do not require any glue to be in place. They can easily fit in and can be pulled out as needed. This is probably because all arrow manufacturers make unique nocks that would be compatible with their arrows. Furthermore, it is not recommended to glue them in because, in case of breakage of a single one, managing replacement for that single piece can be tiresome if they are all glued in together.
Is Gorilla Super Glue Good For Arrow Fletching?
Gorilla glue is a very well-known brand and is frequently reported to work effectively instead of cracking under colder climatic conditions such as epoxy glues. The glue needed for fletching purposes should be fast-drying, and it must have the tendency to bond soundly with the surfaces allocated in the shaft and fletching. Gorilla Super Glue is thick glue and can serve the purpose while also reducing the risk of glue shifting.
Do You Need a Fletching Jig to Fletch Arrows?
In order to connect the fletching to the arrow shaft, a jig is needed that would arrange each fletching in an accurate, steady location. Fletching jigs have a bottom that makes the foundation for the arrow shaft and a clamp that holds the fletching adjacent to the shaft.
