Cresting

[Mark L]

I have , in the past , tried cresting arrows using everything from a dip method through to a jig using an old drill motor. Unfortunatly none seems to give me the finish I want. I have found this cresting jig on a site in the states.

Arrow Tools, Archery Equipment & Supplies - Valley Traditional Archery - valleytradarchery.com

I was thinking of buying the pro. one.

The problem is that I seem to have the artistic talent of your average 3 year old.

Does anyone have experience with this jig? , and does it negate the problem of having no artistic talent.

Or do I just have to face the fact that no matter what equipment I buy, my lack of talent will always come to the fore.

Hope you can help.

[darthTer]

I managed to crest some of my arrows by simply using very narrow (5mm) masking tape....

Surprisingly, it didn't take that long and it gave very nice results.

I am hoping to make myself a proper jig, using a small model motor & some pipe clips.....don't know if it will work yet, but it'll be fun doing it!!!

[jaselpool]

Originally Posted by Mark L

I have , in the past , tried cresting arrows using everything from a dip method through to a jig using an old drill motor. Unfortunatly none seems to give me the finish I want. I have found this cresting jig on a site in the states.

Arrow Tools, Archery Equipment & Supplies - Valley Traditional Archery - valleytradarchery.com

I was thinking of buying the pro. one.

The problem is that I seem to have the artistic talent of your average 3 year old.

Does anyone have experience with this jig? , and does it negate the problem of having no artistic talent.

Or do I just have to face the fact that no matter what equipment I buy, my lack of talent will always come to the fore.

Hope you can help.

Hi there

That's the jig I use. Without the shafts being really straight you stand no chance of good linework no matter what jig you use. Time spent on straightening the shafts will always be worth the effort when cresting.

What issues are you having when trying to crest? Is it inspirational or technical?

I usually design the master crest on paper first in black and white and then print out a template to place in the bottom of the crester. Colours will match whatever feather colours with either a black or white base colour. That gives me consistent placement and something solid to follow. Always put a base of white under any colours to make them really zing.

Visual attached hope it makes sense http://www.thelongbowshop.com/crest.pdf

Don't give up on painting the shafts - practice makes perfect and there's something really nice and traditional about a hand crested set. Much better than using wraps or pens etc!!

Jase

[Stack]

Mark L

I recently purchased a cresting lathe from 3-Rivers, manufactured by Bohning.
Cresting with this is remarkably easy. I use Tamiya Enamels, obtainable from most Hobby Shops at about 0.99p/tin and obtained a selection of decent flat brushes from an Artists' Supplier. A very fine brush is useful for narrow bands to delineate between differing colours. Once you start cresting it is difficult to stop and soon your total stock of arrows will be done. You then move on to the family chopsticks.
Keep your paint thin and keep dipping the brush in thinners to prevent a build up of paint. Some colours cover in one coat others it may take two.
American bought electrical goods will require a voltage convertor I bought mine from Euro-Batteries.

[alanesq]

If you have access to a colour laser printer you can print your own transfers which work really well on arrows
you can then have pictures and/or writing on your arrows :-)

search ebay for "decal paper"

btw - you can get it for inkjet printers but I have not tried this myself

[Mark L]

Originally Posted by jaselpool

Hi there



What issues are you having when trying to crest? Is it inspirational or technical?


Jase

Hi Jase

Its purely technical, I have lots of different ideas, but no real talent to bring them to the fore.

Thanks

Mark L.

[jaselpool]

Originally Posted by Mark L

Hi Jase

Its purely technical, I have lots of different ideas, but no real talent to bring them to the fore.

Thanks

Mark L.

No probs just stick with it as it's only a matter of practice makes perfect. Honestly once you get your eye and hand in and can straighten the shafts well enough it becomes second nature. As I said there's something really satisfying about hand cresting that beats decals and vinyl etc hands down

J

[steve58]

Crested/dipped arrows look very nice, and I'm sure it help must when trying to pick your shafts out on a crowded target when everyone's using white nocks, but how does it affect the arrow in flight?

[jaselpool]

Originally Posted by steve58

Crested/dipped arrows look very nice, and I'm sure it help must when trying to pick your shafts out on a crowded target when everyone's using white nocks, but how does it affect the arrow in flight?

Hi - cresting won't alter the flight characteristics of the arrow but crown dipping may stiffen the shaft slightly depending on the length of the dip and the material used.

Jase

[steve58]

Originally Posted by jaselpool

Hi - cresting won't alter the flight characteristics of the arrow but crown dipping may stiffen the shaft slightly depending on the length of the dip and the material used.

Jase

Hi Jase, would that be enough to make a difference to choice of spine, or pile weight? I am thinking of making a really nice indoor set... Also, can anyone point me to some good tips on crown dipping? I am thinking of this to really show off the fletching colours.