I am new to the whole fletching thing, and was wondering if anyone had any tips for me. I am using oak dowell rods for the shafts is that matters

This might help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GHZ_lf-CVI&feature=related

See the comments for more info and advice.

ok here is the little I know about fletching. I had help making a dozen arrows couple months ago so it fresh in my mind.

Not sure what you know about fletching so I'll start with the basics.
Make sure that you have either all right hand or all left hand feathers on your arrows. It doesn't seem to matter which but make sure that on any one arrow they are all the same. I just buy right hand feathers so that I can't mess it up

Other than that getting the right tools helps a lot.
Some questions for you. Are these going to be self arrows or are you going to be putting nocks and points on them?
not sure about the shafts you have selected. the typical choices seem to be spruce, and are they spined for your bow?

now for some steps as I know them.
1 - make sure the dowels are straight
2 - Shave the end thats going to receive the nock.
3 - Dip the dowels in slightly thinned urethane to protect them - or paint first then urethane for color.
I clipped cloths pins the the other end, not the shaved end, dipped them then hung them on a wire to dry
4- cut the arrows to length once dried.
5- painted some cresting - just colored bands by the fletching to individualize that set
6- glued on the nock using Duco Cement - don't buy fletching cement get Duco its traditional and cost a mere .99 at walmart
7- glued on fletching using Duco Cement. - used Bitzenburger which is supposed to be the best but the Bohning system is supposed to be about as good and a lot cheaper. about 1/3 of the price
8-shaved the ends for the points and glued on the points using a hot glue.

Yeah it helps to find someone who has the stuff and knows what there doing.
but the only tips I have is use to Duco Cement instead of fletching cement and make sure to use only right or left hand fletching

But arrow making is more technical than bow making unfortunately. hope this help.

Try these links:

http://www.englishwarbow.com/making-blbs-standard-arrow.html
http://www.englishwarbow.com/making-mary-rose-war-arrow.html

These describe English heavy (livery) arrows, but the techniques are equally applicable to other styles

Not to sound ignorant (never done archery), but what's the binding on the arrow for? I figure it has something to do with trim characteristics.

M.

Believe its just to keep the fletching in place. I see that the fletching was glued in place first but if that is hide glue its a good glue but is prone to weakening in wet weather and may not be able to take the stresses of the impact of the arrow and the rough handling arrows invariable receive. Thats just my theory.