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A question for you that crest arrows

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1.2K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  Les K  
L
#1 ·
Hi All,

I'm thinking of trying to crest arrows and have been eying that sewing machine to remove the motor and foot speed controller to make my own cresting machine. I have a few questions though and hopefully you can help.

First, have any of you used an airbrush to paint the main color on the spinning cresting machine as opposed to dipping the arrow? If this works well enough, it seems that I could apply a thinner and lighter coat of paint to the arrow. Also I could do some nice fades.

Another question: Suppose I crest the arrow and it needs to be re-fletched due to damage how do you get the old cresting off of the arrow without damaging the carbon? I imagine that sanding would not be good; probably chemicals will be way to harsh...Do you just have to start with a new shaft? What do you folks do to re-fletch? I would think that the paint will certainly be damaged and the cresting would need to be reapplied.

Any info would be great! Thanks in advance!

Les.
 
C
#2 ·
Les, you can use any dual speed motor for power. I found a motor from a stove vent fan, used a dimmer switch left over from installing new lighting. You can use spray paint or air brush, but use a paint that is flexable. The paint of choice is lacquer. For strips get the best brush you can afford. They will cost five or six dollars each but are worth it. Before painting, clean your shafts, I use acetone on a clean rag, don't soak them. For re-fletch or replace a single vane, I trim the vane with a X-acto knife as close as I can get it, then I use a fine file, such as a diamond nail file to clean the base down to the paint. I use the fletch tite glues so the base doesn't have to be down to carbon, just smooth. Don't worry if you mar the paint a little, the new vane and glue will cover. For removing the old cresting. I use the cloth rag and acetone. You can scrape most of the paint off with a dull blade, and use the acetone and rag and recrest as often as you want.
Ceebee
 
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