Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:23 am Post subject:
Homemade Crossbow
Subject description: Second bow started. Early pics within.
Homemade crossbow
First: The video sucks. I seem to not work well in front of cameras and my camera man seems to not work well behind them. So... yeah. So, eyes off me and on the bow?
A few months back I gained an interest in archery. I didn't pursue to far before getting sidetracked. Seems I enjoy making bows more then using them. That lead to this.
'This' is an experiment in problem solving. I did some internet research but avoided spoilerific 'how to' pages as much as possible. While some elements are common and unoriginal, this crossbow is my design. Certainly a novice's work, but it was an enjoyable experience. Even beyond the general mechanics this project give me a lot of firsts. First wood working, first PVC pipe manipulations, first foray into actual knot tying. Stiff like that.
I have already the acquired materials to make a much more functional/presentable bow and look forward to doing that eventually. The video was made mostly for people I know in person. Just a quick way to show what I made, but after putting this much thought into a project I want to show it off a bit more then that
I was wondering if that was a homemade crossbow in your old avatar
The arrow looks like it's just resting in a grove with a clip on top to hold in it place, how secure is that? I'd imagine it might fall out if you ran with it or pointed it downwards etc. _________________
The clip can hold the arrow's weight pretty well. You can aim it at your feet, run with it loaded and other perform other hazardous activities without fear of the arrow wandering off. _________________ "It's got that Droke style to it!" QUICK_EDIT
So do you plan to use it for any hunting? Not sure what the laws & ares for hunting are like in California. Could make an interesting "harpoon" launcher for fishing tho! _________________
Nah. Made it just to make it, besides it isn't strong enough. I do plan to work myself to something that powerful though. Not that I know much about hunting. _________________ "It's got that Droke style to it!" QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Location: Iszkaszentgyorgy, Hungary
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:34 am Post subject:
Looks cool either way. I always failed at my handcrafting courses, so I'm always amazed by stuff like that. _________________ "If you didn't get angry and mad and frustrated, that means you don't care about the end result, and are doing something wrong." - Greg Kroah-Hartman
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Past C&C projects: Attacque Supérior (2010-2019); Valiant Shades (2019-2021)
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@Graion Dilach
This is pretty much my introduction to such stuff. Before I was always impressed with people making this kind of thing, now I'm impressed with how much is possible with just whats laying around.
@Dutchy
...don't think that I haven't thought about it. I may actually do that eventually. >_<
Since posting I have rubbed the stock down in mineral oil. Looks properly finished now. Not sure if I will end up posting pictures though, as its just a different look to the wood.
I have also acquired a length of thicker PCV piping for the prod of my next bow. I'm hoping that the next crossbow will have at least double the power, in addition to other refinements such as a smoother release mechanism and a more functional stock. _________________ "It's got that Droke style to it!" QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Location: Dordrecht, the Netherlands
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:04 pm Post subject:
Droke wrote:
@Dutchy
...don't think that I haven't thought about it. I may actually do that eventually. >_<
Afaik a Chu-Ko-Nu (or any repeating crossbow) works by having a magazine on top, and a mechanism that pulls back the bow and inserts the next arrow, so you don't have to do all manually. QUICK_EDIT
Yeah, I know what is it is. As I said, I have thought about it before. I am serious about the possibility of doing one eventually. _________________ "It's got that Droke style to it!" QUICK_EDIT
Speaking of doing one eventually... this is the start of my take on a repeater crossbow.
It will be small and not much more powerful then a toy. Pump action. So far I have the prod (bow) and the slider done. As with with anything I make it is made of PVC pipe, wood, and fishing line. More progress to come over the weekend.
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_________________ "It's got that Droke style to it!" QUICK_EDIT
We used to make crossbows out of different leaf springs when we were kids. We even tried scary huge truck (GAZ-52) springs. Best were the normal automobile (Lada/Vaz) leaf spring sown into half width - killed ravens and shot a heavy arrow about 150-200 metres. The only substance that could serve as the string was a 4mm wrapped steel wire... QUICK_EDIT
I really, really want to make a prod out of a leaf spring. I don't have a good place to shoot though, which is the main reason I'm sticking with lower powered PVC for the moment.
Strings were a learning experience starting out.
I had made a rather weak first bow and even then it kept breaking everything I tried to use for the string. Eventually I bought the 100 lb test dyneema fishing line I use now, works like a charm. I think it would even work in the stress of a leaf spring prod as it is often used as a lighter alternative to steel cables. Time will tell though. _________________ "It's got that Droke style to it!" QUICK_EDIT
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Homemade Crossbow
