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Crossbows - Everything about Building, Modding, and Using your Crossbow Gear

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» 12th Century Chinese Crossbow Chronographed
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Nov 24, 2023 3:50 pm

» Crossbow Stock
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» Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin
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» Arab Crossbow
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» prod angle, and lever trigger for sale anyone?
by stuckinthemud1 Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:54 am

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» [solved]Skane/Lillohus crossbow thread
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» Digitar prodsc
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» Troubleshooting
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» Wood Prods
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» Simplified Löffelhotz speedloader
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» Fiberglass H-bows
by c sitas Sat Nov 12, 2022 8:44 am

» Bad Antler
by drawknife Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:48 am

» Anyone make their own bolts?
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5 posters

    Prod building question

    waldoe
    waldoe
    waldoe
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    • Post n°1

    Prod building question Empty Prod building question

    Post by waldoe Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:25 pm

    I am building a crossbow to resemble this one pictured.Prod building question Daco111I have the stock rough cut and the trigger mechanism fabricated. My question is about the prod. I am using ash for prod and stock. I was wondering if I should cut the prod into shape or cut it straight and shape it after? Or buy a prod online? Any help is appreciated. Thanks buds.
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    MRobin
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    • Post n°2

    Prod building question Empty Re: Prod building question

    Post by MRobin Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:59 am

    If you intend to make a wooden prod, its back must follow one single growth ring, it will break wotherwise. Same with the sides : if you cut straight into a piece of wood that is "snacky" in front view, you may have problems. But ash can provide quite straight material. Then you can shape it by using steam, of course. But the bow you posted is short and has pretty strong curves, common wood as ash will probably need strenghtening on the back (sinew, raw hide..)

    There is a "wood" that can handle such design with ease : rattan.

    That's all with wooden prods.
    If you go for fiberglass sandwich, things are different of course.
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    Todd the archer
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    • Post n°3

    Prod building question Empty Re: Prod building question

    Post by Todd the archer Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:23 am

    Building your own prod is a study in itself. While it looks simple enough there quite a bit to know and understand ask any bowyer. Wood bows require more skill to make than fiberglass laminated prods however fiberglass prods require more equipment for building. Far easier to buy a prod and will get better performance as well.

    I would recomend either buying a steel prod from Slobow about 65.00 or use one of the asian made fiberglass prods which are only about 20.00 plus shipping.

    Todd
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    kenh
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    • Post n°4

    Prod building question Empty Re: Prod building question

    Post by kenh Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:00 am

    I'm with Todd. If you've never built a wooden bow, tackling a crossbow prod for your first would not be a good idea, even for a weak 30# or 40# draw.

    Buying a 'replacement' prod is an inexpensive option (under $40). Buying a Slobow prod is a good option too.

    You'll have to come up with some other prod attachment system if you
    use anything other than steel, and even then a hole in the middle is a
    potential source of trouble (breakage).

    If you really want to build something take a look at the loose laminate prod, made from chainlink fence tension bar (under $10), in my most recent build:

    https://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t945-loose-laminate-pinlock-build#9107

    A single piece of that fiberglass bar about 28" long will give you a decent draw weight, and two or three can be really powerful.
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    drawknife
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    • Post n°5

    Prod building question Empty Re: Prod building question

    Post by drawknife Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:19 am

    When building a warbow from ash you can get a whole lot of problems even at 6ft 6inch long. Trying to build a crossbow lath could be even more frustrating. However, I have made crossbow laths from ash with a hickory backing. Lemonwood with a hickory backing and straight hickory. All performed well, up to 90lbs draw at about 40 inch length with a 12 inch draw. The ash one followed the string so it needed unstringing when not in use.. Bind it along the back with a piece of rope to stop it hitting you in the face should it break at full draw.
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    waldoe
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    • Post n°6

    Prod building question Empty Re: Prod building question

    Post by waldoe Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:45 am

    Thanks for all the replies. A lot of information to take into consideration. I have ordered a fiberglass prod.... I think I may also try constructing a loose laminate prod in the mean time. Great idea to use fiberglass tension bar.
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