Anyone crest without a machine?

[LimbLover]

I've been saving up for a cresting machine but am currently doing all of my cresting by hand by spinning the arrows on those cheap $2.99 wooden drying racks that 3 Rivers sells.

I do okay with the thicker lines but I'm AWFUL with the thinner lines. Some of you do incredible work and I've always assumed that you are using a machine to help you get so accurate.

Does anyone crest by hand?

If so, I'd love to see pics!!!

[Stumpkiller]

These are hand spun with Sharpie & Pilot markers.  I rest the nock in a hole drilled in a block (screwed to a plywood base) and rest the other end of the shaft in a "v" block about 24" seperated from that one.

 

 

But I also have a Bohning cresting lathe and I do a better job with that.

Also with markers -

 

[LimbLover]

Thats an awesome idea. I'll give it a shot. I've got lots of scrap wood lying around.

Those markers seem to work great. Are you doing that on top of the finish?

What finish are you using? Polyurethane? Lacquer?

[EL Mejor]

GOOD WORK....IVE DONE IN THE PAST....

[Ben Maher]

I do mine by hand and them give themtwo coats of poly afterwards .
nice work Stumpkiller !

[LONGSTYKES]

Thanks , I like these treads. You learn every day. Always used paint too crest. Will have to try sharpies. Stumpkiller, do you coat them after using a sharpie. With what?

[Rob DiStefano]

man, too many folks are just not using the the search engine or checking out the "how to - resources" forum!

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000119;p=6

 

[kawika b]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
man, too many folks are just not using the the search engine or checking out the "how to - resources" forum!

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000119;p=6  

 

Looks like you might have to add your build-a-longs to your sig Rob, lol.

[Rob DiStefano]

i have yet to find a clear coat that won't dissolve both sharpie and pilot pens.  some folks cover with clear tape or the new clear cap wrap.  i leave 'em neked.

[Pack]

I have good luck with the paint pens, sealing them with spray-on polycrylic.

[LimbLover]

Well I finished some tonight. This is with the fast drying Rustoleum latex stuff you can find at the hardware store. I hand spun them on a drying rack.

I did see your post in the stickies Rob. I wanted to see who was actually painting them on via hand spinning.

 

Forgot to adjust my photo...sorry guys!

[macksdad]

Nice job Limblover! you arrows look great

[LimbLover]

Thanks mack!

[bigbadjon]

I used to use a homemade job similar to Rob's. I know use a Philip's crester. The improvised methods are servicable and you can make good looking arrows. If you are trying to win a PBS competition or make exhibition type grades you definately want a motorized setup.

[tyu888]

I followed Rob's method in the How-To forum but the speed of the drill is just too fast so I'm back to cresting with my hand...

[Knapper]

Even the best crester does not make up for two main elements in cresting.  Number one is to get really good brushes.  Most of the brushes being sold for cresting make really good house painting brushes but lousy cresting brushes.  I get mine at the art supply stores or at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby.  Secondly, the paint must be thinned to the proper consistency so that the paint will flow properly.  This just comes from trial and error and it depends on what type of paint you are using.  One note if you are using lacquer you will have to continually thin as the thinner just keeps evaporating out of the paint as you are using it.

[MO Bow]

Totally agree with Knapper.  Paint and brushes are key.

If you do a search of my handle, I've got a couple arrow build-alongs on here that shows the home made cresting machine that I use.  Cordless drill, rubber tube and some cheap drawer rollers.  If you already have a cordless drill, you won't spend more than $10 at Lowe's.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by LONGSTYKES:
Thanks , I like these treads. You learn every day. Always used paint too crest. Will have to try sharpies. Stumpkiller, do you coat them after using a sharpie. With what?

I put three coats of MinWax semi-satin polyurethane (regular formula but I wipe it on with a cotton patch) after the Sharpie colors but before the metallic highlighter ink.  The polyu. dissolves the metallic Pilot ink but not the Sharpie.  The metallic holds up well on the surface.

[Rob DiStefano]

pure and simple, cresting is non-functional and strictly artwork.  for the highest results, quality paints and brushes - and painting knowledge - are vital.  i've been there and done that, decades ago.  not worth my efforts these dayze.  sharpie/pilot cresting looks good to me, goes on fast and easy, and the arrows never last that long that it matters.  building pbs-quality arrows is creating art - i could never bring myself to shoot those beautiful arrows.

[LimbLover]

Well I'm not looking for PBS quality because I had never heard of that until now. Plus..I agree with you Rob, I won't shoot them if they look too nice.

On the other hand, I feel I would like to build arrows for people someday and in that case, I would like them to look as perfect as possible. I'll most likely end up with a machine.

I totally agree that the brushes are key. I bought a few more art brushes yesterday and I had wished I would have made the investment before I started the ones I posted above.