C.U.A. - The Jig is up: Bohning Cauldron Fletcing Jig

In 1999 I started fletching my own arrows. During that time period, I had transitioned from a Martin Lynx Mag compound bow to a Bear Kodiak recurve and was building arrows from raw shafts to finished pieces of art. Using a borrowed Bitzenburger set-up, I sat at a lazy susan and turned out a dozen arrows at a time.

Bitzenburger Dial-A-Fletch mounted on a lazy susan.

In 2015 I transitioned back to the modern world of archery with the purchase of a Mathews Helium. My first fletching jig was a hand-held EZ Fletch, quickly switching to a Bohning Pro Class jig. Shortly after, I transitioned to the Bohning Tower Jig and have used the Tower Jig until this past year. I am a big fan of Bohing as a company. Founded in 1946 by Rollin Bohning, the Michigan based company has been producing industry-leading products and components for archers for nearly 80 years.

January of this past year I attended my first Archery Trade Association (ATA) show and I found myself at the Bohning booth. Low and behold, Bohning had redesigned their Tower Jig and I was introduced to the Cauldron Jig. The 9.5” x 6.5” rectangular box sitting at their display housed a simple and effective 3-fletch jig. The box included the base and arm assembly, a plastic bag with 5 sets of fletching inserts (3* left and right, 1* left and right and straight) and an adjustable pressure ring. I was immediately intrigued and Bobb Potter, Bohning’s Design Engineer, was more than eager to provide a demonstration of the new tool.

Introducing and testing the Bohning Cauldron Jig.

Having used the Tower Jig for 7 years, I was used to the many parts and pieces required to produce a 3-fletched arrow. The multiple arms, pressure slides, screws and shaft adapters a customer received required a tool box in itself. The assembly process was lengthy and I always had to refer to the instruction manual prior to each use. Although the Tower jig was lightweight and produced a quality fletch, it was not user friendly or easy to store.

A seasoned Bohning Triple Tower Jig.

The Cauldron is a different story. The improved design allows the user to fletch with a nock inserted, no longer requiring multiple center posts for different diameter shafts. The vane inserts, which allow up to 5” vanes, easily snap in and out of the jig arms. The pressure ring is easily adjustable when switching from micro diameter shafts to .204’s or standard diameter. When finished, the components are easily returned to the original cardboard container and stored away.

The Cauldron in action, fletching a dozen Victory RIP TKO's for a local archer.

As for price point, the Triple Tower jig ranges from $91.21 - $149.21, with additional add-ons in upwards of $21.99 per selection. The Cauldron is available in two options, $109.00 for a 3* helical or $153.44 for the complete set-up. The Cauldron is available on the Bohning website, with both configurations ready to ship at www.shop.bohning.com/cauldron-fletching-jig.

Components of the Bohning Cauldron Jig Complete set.

Having used both the Tower and Cauldron jig sets, I strongly recommend the Cauldron Jig. Whether you are a novice archer exploring the idea of fletching your own arrows, or an experienced Nock On enthusiast, the Bohning Cauldron Jig is a worthy investment for the home archery technician.

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