crafting excellent woodies

[lpcjon2]

Very Nice Rob

   

[Rob DiStefano]

cresting with sharpies

to mark the same cresting location on each arrow, lay down on your arrow measuring tool and mark the meauring tool where you would like the crest to start and end, then transfer those marks to each arrow ...

 

 

the diy "cresting machine".  simply an electric screwdriver (set so that the rotation of the arrow is away from you), with a piece of 3/8" surgical tubing over the screwdriver phillip's head bit and over the arrow nock that acts as a "transmission coupler".  make up a "V" block cradle for the arrow out of wood or foam or whatever - even a "V" notch in a piece of folded cardboard works quite well.  i fancied this one up a bit with an extended piece of 1/8" ply "guide" store predetermined cresting marks, but since we used the arrow measuring tool to precisely lay out where the cresting starts and ends on the shaft, this is not necessary.

 

i'll begin laying down a crest background main color using an orange chisel point sharpie, sweeping from the left crest pencil mark (on the shaft) and ending over at the right crest pencil mark (on the shaft) ...

 

there is no "drying time" required, so i switch over to the black chisel marker to lay down the margin stripes ... i freehand added a center stripe, with stripes to the left and right of it ...

 

now i'll add the silver highlight lines - this really makes a crest look great and imo is mandatory ...

 

i also added a tiny crest between the nock and fletches, using the same colors and scheme, just done freehand with no guide ...

 

all done - not worthy of an arrow contest, but looks great (to me) and makes a bland arrow look kinda nifty ...

 

[Green]

Very nicely done, Rob.  If you put a second application of the sharpie on do you gain anything in the depth of color?

[Huntschool]

Cool stuff Rob...  Keeps a fellow busy on those "can't get out of the house" kinda days...

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Green:
Very nicely done, Rob.  If you put a second application of the sharpie on do you gain anything in the depth of color?

yes, definitely darkens the hue.

[Dave Bowers]

Dang I thought i was the only one that crested with sharpies...must be a Jersey thing  

[macksdad]

Very nice Rob

[Pokerdaddy]

Thank you Rob for this great tutorial!  And thanks for really breaking it down step by step.  I'm excited to soon try my first batch of arrows, and this thread will go a long way in helping me achieve that.

[Last of the Breed]

Very nice!

[bowslinger]

Rob,

Have you tried or heard of someone using Birchwood-Casey's Tru-oil as a finish over stain?

I like to use it for refinishing gun stocks.  It goes on easily by hand and cures to a nice hard finish.

[Rooselk]

This has been very informative. I learned a lot. Thank you.  

[greyghost]

Rob, nicely done.

My wife viewed the thread and said why did'nt I think of that 50 years ago. Would have avoided our clashes of the mess and smells. LOL I told her they did not have sharpies then.

I have always been a dip kind of guy, crown, crest and sealant that is for arrows. But after seeing your cleaner, cheaper and appears easier way, who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  Thanks!


Earl

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by bowslinger:
Rob,

Have you tried or heard of someone using Birchwood-Casey's Tru-oil as a finish over stain?

I like to use it for refinishing gun stocks.  It goes on easily by hand and cures to a nice hard finish.

i use tru-oil extensively in guitar making, and it works just fine for arrow making, too!  

it's really a toss-up 'tween min-wax wipe-on or tru-oil ... the min-wax is much easier to find at home depot or lowes.  they both do a yeoman job for woodie finishing.  

[Gator1]

INSPIRING:

         

[JamesJamison]

That looks like something that would be fun to try.

As far as cost, would it be a cost effective altervative to aluminum or carbon?

[coaster500]

Great post Rob !!!

Thank you


 

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by JamesJamison:
... As far as cost, would it be a cost effective altervative to aluminum or carbon?

woodies are a labor of love.  

since finishing, and possibly straightening, is always part of woodie crafting, there is more expense and time involved than making carbons or alums.

i love woodies and will always build and shoot them ... but without a doubt, carbons are the most durable, and consistent with regards to both accuracy and climate, and easiest to craft arrows of all shafting material readily available today.

[Elkchaser]

Thank you Rob.
Excellent tutorial and great looking arrows.
Makes me want to get some shafts ordered and try my hand at it.
Looks like a call to one of the sponsors is in order.

[Claym]

Great tutorial! Thanks for all the info.