Actual archery question for Bowsite
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Jaquomo
30-Apr-23
I decided to try the AAE Max Bond for AAE fletches. First time with both. Do I really need to spend another $23 on the primer, or will just the glue work if the shafts are prepped properly?
From: Lawdog
30-Apr-23
Are you referring to fletches or vanes? The vanes have something that activates with the glue. AAE fletches may the same way. Just clean the shaft either way. You should be good to go.
From: midwest
30-Apr-23
Which vane, Lou? The Max Stealth need prepped. The Hybrids do not.
From: Shaft2Long
30-Apr-23
FWIW I recently switched to the max stealth. I always, regardless of fletch, very lightly sand with fine grit the shaft and clean with acetone. Doing this the vanes have stuck with and without prepping the base with acetone and using Bohning fletch tite platinum and Saunders NPV. None of the AAE specialty stuff was needed.
From: Jaquomo
30-Apr-23
These are the Max Hunter vanes. It says I need to use the primer pen first, then the glue. I've been fletching arrows for 50 years with all sorts of fletching glue and never heard of a need for primer. I don't want to spend another $23 for primer if it is only a gimmick for AAE to sell more crap.
I'm switching from Blazers, which always held well with just a clean vane and prepped shaft and NPV glue.
Thanks for the replies!
From: Nick Muche
30-Apr-23
I’ve fletched another brand with just glue that recommended a primer pen, they fell off. With the pen, they’re not coming off.
From: Scott/IL
30-Apr-23
I’ve been using AAE vanes (both stealth and hunters) for ~5 years now and always use the primer kit. I’ve never had any issues with them falling off.
From: Jaquomo
30-Apr-23
Thanks, guys. Guess I'll drop another $17 for the AAE primer pen.
From: Bowfreak
30-Apr-23
You don’t have to use the AAE primer pen. Other people make primer pens. I think Easton makes one that is cheaper. I haven’t tried in on Max vanes but on Flex Fletch vanes, which need similar prep, I always just used a Qtip with acetone and those vanes weld to the shaft. Currently I am using the primer pen but the next time I fletch I’m going to try Max Stealth with acetone swab. You definitely don’t need their expensive glue though. Just get some loctite gel from Wal mart. It is great and all I use.
From: Fields
30-Apr-23
Prime them... I didnt and had ongoing problems.. refletched every arrow I own and used primer... Hopefully, that ends the problems.. Nothing worse than sitting in your stand and watch a fletch fall off you arrow and float to the ground, or shoot an arrow and see the fletchings fly off on the way to the target.. ask me how I know..
From: TREESTANDWOLF
30-Apr-23
Another fan of the primer pen.
Leave no arrow to chance. :)
From: Cheesehead Mike
30-Apr-23
I use Zing Kling primer glue combo on my Blazers and it has cured all of my adhesion issues.
From: Coondog
30-Apr-23
Yes. You absolutely need to prime the fletchings before gluing to the shafts if they say they need to be primed. Don’t take shortcuts. An extra two seconds for each fletching will save you the headache in the end.
From: Jaquomo
30-Apr-23
Ok, thanks. This is a new one for me. But I'll do as I'm told. :-)
From: ILbowhntr
30-Apr-23
The Max Hunters fell off when I didn’t use the pen. Tried straight acetone on a q tip and I don’t recall any falling off. Went back to the pen just out of caution. I’m only paying $7 for the pen. Got a extra I’ll make you a good deal on!
From: Scrappy
30-Apr-23
You all are crazy using stuff that you know requires more crap to make work to achieve the exact same results as blazer vanes:)
From: Ollie
30-Apr-23
What does this have to do with Trump? Or Biden for that matter?
From: Gileguy
30-Apr-23
I clean both shafts and vane with acetone, never bought the primer, works great
From: EmptyFreezer
30-Apr-23
I refill the pens with acetone when they run out cuz there so handy. Not exactly sure but i'm sure they are filled with acetone :). Elmers glue bottles are great as an acetone dispenser when your building arrows. Thats also what i use to refill the pens.
From: elkmtngear
30-Apr-23
If you smell the Zing primer, it smells exactly like PVC cleaner. So, I buy it in bulk, about 11 bucks for an 8 ounce can. Lasts a long time!
I rough up the base of the vanes with an emory board, then just do a quick sweep with the brush that comes in the primer can. Been working great on Flex Fletch, for years.
From: ILbowhntr
30-Apr-23
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSuUn_zu8l00xl82eM8txnv70k17zHvu9lxtD7SSSSSS-- MSDS on the primer pen, it’s more than acetone. Amazing what you can find on the internet!
From: butcherboy
30-Apr-23
Why fix it if ain’t broke? I keep it simple and just stick with blazer vanes and any glue I decide to use. I guess if you like to tinker and try new stuff then that’s just fine too.
From: midwest
30-Apr-23
Using the primer and AAE glue, I've never had fletching stick so well. Amazing stuff.
From: Jaquomo
30-Apr-23
Butcher boy, I'm definitely of the "If it ain't broke" school. If I find socks I like, I might buy 8 pairs.
Ran low on Blazers, and a friend I trust recommended these. I didnt realize until I got them that everything was so specialized. Long way from when we used to glue up aluminums with Fletch-tite and call it good.
From: butcherboy
30-Apr-23
Yeah Jaq, the good ole days for sure! I still use hot melt glue for inserts as well and will never change that. It’s so simple and it works so well.
From: fuzzy
01-May-23
Is this type content still allowed? ;)
From: Bowboy
01-May-23
I have Max Stealth vanes on my arrows. In my experience if you don’t you the primer pen they don’t stick very well. The base of the vanes have some kind of activator.
From: APauls
01-May-23
With the small number of arrows I am using up now I no longer fletch my own. It was always fun, but the odd frustration plus the glues getting so expensive and then getting old and not usable in my drawer....started to make more sense buying fletched arrows.
From: Jaquomo
01-May-23
Adam, I'm just about there with you. I wanted to buy some IW arrows but they don't offer them in 400 spine yet. And I have this dozen raw shafts sitting in the corner.....
From: carcus
01-May-23
I use the AAE primer and glue now for a couple of years, best adhesion yet, worth the $
From: Kurt
01-May-23
Lou, just finishing a dozen new arrows up.....Blazer vanes and Fletchtite Platinum glue fletched on a Bitzenburger 3* helical. Why change....never had a fletch come off yet, arrows fly good, things die.
And Bohning Ferr-l-tite hotmelt glue to attach the SS half-outs into the Axis FMJ buff arrows.
From: Ambush
01-May-23
I wonder how much per vane it costs the manufacturer to add something so they won’t stick without their proprietary primer?
Like Kurt, Fletch-tite Platinum for many years and never any problems.
From: rattling_junkie
01-May-23
I still love fletching my own, and yes the AAE primer is worth it.
From: wildwilderness
01-May-23
Easy solution to ditching the primer and an extra cost and time is to just use AAE Hybrid vanes. that's why they made it to get rid of the primer step.
From: Blood
01-May-23
Just buy the Easton primer pen. It’s the same stuff. You can find these for $8-$11 online. Gorilla glue too. I use Q2II vanes and my son uses AAE vanes. Zero issues. You won’t be able to pull off your vanes with pliers.
From: Jaquomo
01-May-23
Thanks for all the input, guys! Guess I'll use a primer and see how it goes. I never had any issues with Blazers and NPV as long as I prepped everything correctly.
From: boothill
01-May-23
Been using Blazers and wraps with Gorilla glue for years with a Arizona Mini Fletch and never had an issue. Thought about changing but not worth it to make the switch for no more arrows I go through these days.
From: Mathewsphone
01-May-23
Shooting blazers is like shooting a bear whitetail hunter sure it will kill stuff but there is better out there
From: WV Mountaineer
01-May-23
I just fletched up some arrows not too long ago with the silent knight vanes made by flex fletch I think. I never thought about a primer. They fell off. Makes sense now.
From: TD
02-May-23
Ever use a paint that says "no primer needed!" ? Really good/great or "good enough"?
I still use a little pvc primer on pipe even when using the blue glue that says the primer is in it already. You can see it change/soften the plastic for the glue to bond best. Plus with purple fingers folks don't ask for help, shake your hand or bother you much.
Better living through chemistry..... hehehheh
I use the Super Ultra Control gel on all my vanes, used to use alcohol or acetone to clean them as most have a coat of mold release still on em. They stayed on "pretty good". But when Zinger primer came out and started prepping with it.... worst thing now is trying to strip them if you have to refletch. Wraps almost become a must, they tear the wraps long before any other damage. Still working on the same bottle of it from forever ago, hasn't lost any pop that I can tell, not like the glues, or even some of the vanes I've tossed.
From: JohnMC
02-May-23
Brandon you shoot a bear whitetail with your preferred fletching. I'll shoot my bow and blazers. We can see who comes out on top. ;)
