I have always wanted to build my own arrows for years. My local, slow, archery shop has finally pushed me to finally do this.

I am going to get a Bitz fletcher and was curious which clamp to get with it. I'm sure there are many opinions on this. I just want to get the wrong one. One forum i looked at said right helical is prefered. I was also reading a thread posted here where most said straight.

With a straight clamp, will this put the fletchings absolutely straight on the shaft? Wouldn't you need some kind of helical pitch to get the arrow to spin? I plan on using blazer vanes.

Could someone also explain what offset is? It sounds like most use 2 degrees offset when fletching blazers.

THX

Iowabucks,
I recommend you read the info at this site:

http://www.huntersfriend.com/2007-Carbon-A...tion-guide4.htm

I think it will give you the information you need in order to make a good decision. Bottom line: what is best depends on your bow set-up (probably most importantly on what kind of rest you have).

A more aggressive fletch setup (more twist or offset) will generally result in better accuracy since the rotation will stabilize a poorly tuned arrow better. The flip side of this is that for a well tuned setup and with exceptional form it doesn't matter how much twist or offset you have in your fletching -- the arrow won't be wobling to begin with. The trade-off that you get when you choose an aggressive fletching setup to improve accuracy is that you will lose down range velocity.

The one notable exception to the logic above is Wisker Biscuits. Only straight vanes or vanes with a very slight offset will work well with these.

Hope this helps.

an off set is made with a straight clamp set on an angle

xx