Cartel Fletching Jig

This is my first fletching jig and I purchased it on a recommendation from other reviews and fellow archers. I found it an easy to use piece of kit, and have fletched more than enough arrows with it. I have even used this jig to position XS Wings (spin wings) by setting the clip back a little from the arrow and marking the line along the arrow shaft, using the clip as a rule. Pros - The jig is easy to use and flexible enough for variations (between straight and offset fletching - the standard jig does not allow you to helical fletch arrows, although I believe you can buy different clamps that will). The jig is rugged and strong. It has a strong magnet that clip, and the clip is well delineated. I use pencil on the required marks when fletching, as it can easily be removed / rubbed out for the next set of arrows. It does what it says on the box! Cons - I can see how some other reviewers found issues with the jig getting stiff (especially with the rotating of the arrow via the knob). I used some WD40 to loosen it up and haven’t had any issues since. There are no instructions with the jig, but I have managed to acquire some – see pictures, I hope someone finds them useful. I have, on occasion, required a band to keep the arrows weighted down to the valley, though for me, this appears to be with light weight arrows. Overall, an easy to use, cost effective fletching jig.

We use similar looking fletching jigs at work for our archery classes and I wanted one for my own home personal use. The build quality is good and the instructions were easy to follow. I simply screwed the jig onto a suitable base of wood and then setup the jig as per the instructions for my 3 fletch arrows. I was able to 100% adjust the jig for perfect fletch alignment despite my arrows having an unusual diameter. Perfect results every time and the magnetic fletch holder is very easy to attach and hold in place. Sturdy product which should last a long time.

Good quality jig although comes with no instructions for use. The dial is also very stiff upon receipt, note that the 2 Allen key screws adjust between 3-4 fletchings make sure to screw the un needed one fully out. The jig can do straight or offset vanes but not spin vanes, The clamp is very robust, easy to read due to the etched markings but is not aligned with the markings out of the box so some adjustment is required. For best results grease the barrel to do this unscrew the rotator unit from the base, remove the Allen key screws from the top of the unit turn upside down to remove the springs and ballbearings from the screw holes. Next remove the knob by undoingthe allen screw on the nob, then remove the nock holder. Finally undo the bolt on the top and remove the cylinder. If you were able to get the screws out earlier but not the bearings hold the unit upside down whilst you do this then catch the ballbearings. Apply a thick grease to the cylinder and reassemble it will now be very smooth and positive.

Now I’ve used it to fletch two sets of different size arrows, it’s very good and better than most! However it’s a real pain in the ass to setup for the first time!

But it does its job very well. And at a very affordable price.

Very sturdily built fletching jig.although no instructions included they're available online to download. Once downloaded very clear and concise. Large enough to take a 4 inch fletch.

Great little jig and inexpensive. Ideal for re-sticking loose fletches or fleeting complete arrows.

There were no instructions with the jig and it was not user-intuitive. Neither myself nor my partner could set it up (with and/or without instructions) as the settings for 3 or 4 fletches were not obvious. The mechanism turned without any ‘stopping’ points. I asked to return the item and although this was agreed after emails providing me with instructions that still didn’t help, I had no help with return postage and was refunded, less the £3.50 ‘free postage’. They say the jig works when set up correctly. Having now seen other jigs where the settings are obvious, I would steer clear of this one. It is poorly made, difficult to set up and not a good design. I’m £8 worse off with no jig! I plan to buy a better made jig that is more expensive but easy to use. Unhappy with seller’s assumption that this is down to my inability to set it up properly. In my view it was defective.