A cresting machine (also called an arrow-cresting machine, an arrow-crester, or simply a crester) is a machine that aids in the adding of coloured lines called ''cresting'' to arrows in order to identify the

bowyer A bowyer is a master-craftsman who makes bows. Though this was once a widespread profession, the importance of bowyers and of bows was diminished by the introduction of gunpowder weaponry. However, the trade has survived and many bowyers conti ...

. Cresting machines are small lathes that consist of a

chuck Chuck is a masculine given name or a nickname for Charles or Charlie. It may refer to: People Arts and entertainment * Chuck Alaimo, American saxophonist, leader of the Chuck Alaimo Quartet * Chuck Barris (1929–2017), American TV producer * C ...

and an

engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power ...

attached to a board. Cresting machines do not paint the arrows themselves but are rather

jigs The jig ( ga, port, gd, port-cruinn) is a form of lively folk dance in compound metre, as well as the accompanying dance tune. It is most associated with Irish music and dance. It first gained popularity in 16th-century Ireland and parts of ...

that rotate the arrows uniformly so that a separate steadily held paintbrush can paint the cresting accurately.

References

Archery Lathes Woodworking jigs {{archery-stub