CROWNARC Instructions
Page 3
Here’s a basic way to calculate your bow:
When you crown your bow, you must allow for the arch. The crown (an upward curve in the B
to C dimension) allows water to drain off the finished top. Crowning creates 2 changes: The B
to C dimension (the width) shrinks,and the legs drop.
To allow for the “shrink” in width (B to C), try adding 1/2" for every 15" of width.
Example for a bow that’s 75" wide: 75/15 = 5. 5 × ½ = 2 ¾. 75+2 ¾ = 77 ¾. So in this
case measure, cut & bend the bow as if it were 77 ½" wide, because when you crown
the width will shrink toward the 75" you really need. This is a guide not a hard rule.
If you want a higher crown, try adding ½" for each 12" of width.
Crowning also drops the legs so leave them high! You can bend the legs down more,
later if needed, but you can‟t raise them once they are bent.
1. Measure the distance from A to B, from B to C, and from C to D and total these 3.
(Remember, the B to C dimension is always increased to allow for the crown –see above)
2. Subtract from this number: 5" for a 6" radius Bendarc
67/8" for an 8" radius Bendarc
81/2" for a 10" radius Bendarc
101/4" for a 12"radius Bendarc
3. Cut a piece of tubing that long and mark the midpoint.
4. Put the tubing in your Bendarc and align the midpoint mark with the number on the
scale that‟s the same as the adjusted B to C distance (the width). Clamp & bend a leg.
5. Turn the tube around; align the midpoint mark on the scale again and bend the 2nd leg.
6. It‟s important that the 1st leg bent is straight down when it‟s turned so that the 2nd leg will
come down in line with the 1st. Accurate guide boards will help.
7. If you‟re bending matching bows, each one must follow the same crown pattern as the
1st one. Example: You turn the adjusting bolt down ¾ turn, then turn it down another ¾
turn on the 2nd pass, and then ½ turn on the 3rd pass to get the crown you want. Each
matching bow must follow the same sequence.