Rütger's SCA Combat Archery Folio

Making Siloflex Arrows With Fletchings

Step 5 - Prepare Nock End

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a.	Set Fletching. Push a piece of fletching through the fletching slot on one side of the arrow. The slot should be thin enough that this will require a bit of effort and care. If necessary, use needle nose pliers to reach inside the tube to pull the fletching through the slot. Insert an awl (or screwdriver) into the opposite slot and twist to open the slot (be careful not to split the tube). Pull the fletching carefully through the slot (expect some casualties to the fletching at this point). Center the fletching lengthwise in the slot. Measure the front and back placement of the fletching to be sure it is even on both sides of the arrow.
	Using awl to help fletching through slot   Fletching with arrow centered
b.	Secure Fletching. Cut a 4" piece of duct tape in half lengthwise. Cut each resulting piece in half to form four pieces of approximately 1" x 2". Apply these pieces to the sides of the fletching so that about 1/4" of tape is along the base of the fletching, and the rest is on the tube. [If the tape holding the fletching in place does not fully cover the tube between the fletchings, an additional small piece of tape may be applied to cover the gap.]   Fletching taped in place
c.	Insert Nock Cover. Cut a piece of duct tape 2" long. Remove the corners. Place the duct tape over a finger (sticky side out). Insert the tape into the nock end of the arrow. Press the edges of the tape against the side of the tube forward of the nock.
	Cutting pattern for nock cover   Insert duct tape into nock end

Step 6 - Shaft Taping

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a.	Shaft Covering. The requirements indicate that Siloflex may degrade if left in strong sunlight. The requirements further suggest that covering the body of the arrow in duct tape will prevent this degradation. However, the covering of the shaft is not a requirement. - Covering. Cut two pieces of duct tape which are long enough to stretch from the front end of the fletching to either; 1) a point where the Group Markings will be applied, or 2) the bottom of the red tape of the head. If using Group Markings (as described later), this will be about 16" long for a 28" long arrow. Without the Group Markings, it will be about 22" long. Apply the tape lengthwise along the arrow. - No Covering. Experience with these arrows suggests that placing tape on the body of the arrow is not a particularly good idea. The tape is subject to extensive damage in use, and sometimes appears to significantly increase the friction when the arrow is fired. As the covering is not a requirement, it should not be used.   Tape applied along length of arrow
b.	Nock Wrap. Cut a piece of duct tape about 4" long. Slice this in half lengthwise. Wrap one piece tightly around the arrow just above the end of the nock holes.   Nock wrap around arrow
c.	Fletching Wraps. Cut a piece of duct tape about 4" long. Slice this in half lengthwise. Wrap one piece around the arrow just in front of the fletching. Wrap the other piece around the arrow just behind the fletching (this will partially cover the Nock Wrap). Pull these pieces tight when applying to help insure the fletching slot does not split further. If Group Markings are not used, cut a third piece of tape and apply it over the ends of the Shaft Covering near the head of the arrow (obviously, if the Shaft Covering is not used, this extra piece of tape is not needed).   Fletching wraps around arrow

Step 7 - Identification

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[This section is not optional. A "maker's mark" (i.e., the Personal Markings) and Personal Identification are required by the Middle Kingdom. Name, group, and kingdom (or some combination of this information) is required each year at Pennsic War.]

a.	Group Markings. Apply three pieces of duct tape in the owner's group's colors below the head of the arrow. Start about 3" from the top of the arrow head and use the full width of the tape. In addition to identifying the owner's group, this also helps to make the arrow easier to find on the field. [The Yellow-Blue-Yellow shown is for the Shire of Shadowed Stars.] [Also see the Errata.]
b.	Personal Markings. Wrap three to five 1/4" wide pieces of duct tape around the arrow staring about 1" below the group markings. Select a distinctive order of colors (probably based on a heraldic device). [The described wrapping is not a requirement, however, some sort of "maker's mark" is required. The Blue-White-Blue-Yellow-Blue marking shown is from the author's device.]
c.	Personal Identification. Cut a piece of clear duct tape (or clear packing tape) about 1" longer than the Identification Label. Put an Identification Label lengthwise in the center of the tape with the printed side towards the sticky side of the tape. Place the tape so that the label is about 1" from the Personal Markings, along the length of the arrow and in line with the fletching. [This will minimize damage to the label due to hitting the bow as the arrow is launched.]   Completed arrow identification

Step 8 - Completion

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a.	Final Inspection. Go over the entire arrow. Try to move the arrow head. It should feel solid and fully cover the top of the rubber stopper, but still have give when pushed. Make sure the fletching is firmly attached. Finally, squeeze all the tape to be sure it is well attached.
b.	Congratulations! Your arrow is now complete and ready for use.   Completed arrows

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