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

Latest topics

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

» Crossbow Stock
by kenh Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:19 am

» Colletiere a Charavines continuing experiment
by stuckinthemud1 Sat Oct 07, 2023 5:36 am

» Cocking - how
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:24 am

» Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin
by stuckinthemud1 Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:10 am

» Arab Crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:57 am

» prod angle, and lever trigger for sale anyone?
by stuckinthemud1 Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:54 am

» flexible string
by jasper1978 Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:25 am

» [solved]Skane/Lillohus crossbow thread
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:44 am

» jens sensfelder
by jasper1978 Wed Mar 08, 2023 11:58 pm

» 400lb Windlass crossbow bolts weight and accuracy shooting high.
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:53 pm

» Codex Löffelholz crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:14 pm

» Digitar prodsc
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Jan 15, 2023 2:42 pm

» Troubleshooting
by Andy. Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:29 pm

» Wood Prods
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 12:47 pm

» Colletiere a Charavines crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:54 am

» Simplified Löffelhotz speedloader
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:05 pm

» 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?
by Juniper Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:20 am

» Josef alm in English
by Juniper Sat Oct 15, 2022 4:22 am

» Qin/Han lock drawings
by kenh Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:16 pm

» stirrup dimensions?
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:49 pm

» Skane/Lillohus lockbow information needed
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:23 am

» need help contacting le musee Dauphinois Grenoble
by stuckinthemud1 Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:22 pm


5 posters

    New... in more ways than one!

    gearboxx70
    avatar
    gearboxx70
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 2
    Join date : 2014-11-12
    • Post n°1

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    Post by gearboxx70 Thu Nov 13, 2014 2:26 pm

    I'm new to the forum, and new to crossbows. I dabbled in archery some time ago, so I have some familiarity with pointy projectiles.

    The reason I'm here is to pick as many brains as I can. Somehow, it got into my head to build my own crossbows. I figure I have the basic skills needed, and a cool collection of tools. I'm a journeyman carpenter, part time fabricator, experienced tinkerer, and honorary redneck.

    I want to build usable, modern, accurate equipment without using exotic materials like carbon fiber, magnesium, or unobtainium. I may even consider building my own bolts when I feel more comfortable with my 1930's Dunlap lathe.

    Hope to get as much as I can from this forum, and share all my mistakes along the way!
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    Todd the archer
    Todd the archer
    Todd the archer
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 581
    Join date : 2010-02-25
    Age : 62
    Location : sellersville,pa.
    • Post n°2

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    Post by Todd the archer Fri Nov 14, 2014 2:18 am

    Welcome, will try to help in anyway i can. So where are you from?
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    Onlinekenh
    kenh
    kenh
    Crossbow Junkie

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    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


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    Location : Living Aboard a Sailboat in Fort Myers, FL
    • Post n°3

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    Post by kenh Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:42 am

    Welcome!  "Exotic materials" around here are things like ivory and lignum vitae!  We've cornered the market on unobtanium .  

    If you're a metalworker there are lots of fancy, modern, multi-axle actions you can build.  If not, there are plenty of traditional action styles that have worked well for hundreds, if not thousands of years.  Same thing with making your own metal prods (better than waiting a loooong time for a commercially available one).  There are readily available, non-metallic, modern materials that make good prods too.   As a woodworker you'll have fun making medieval and modern-futuristic looking tillers.  Most of us make our own bolts from dowel stock rather than lathe-turning them - it's a lot less hassle unless you're into micro-metric target shooting and 'one-hole' accuracy.

    So read a few thousand topics here and pick a style of bow for your first attempt.  Also decide whether you want it to be a hunting c-bow, a precision target c-bow, or a general backyard plinking c-bow.

    Then, ask and ye shall receive -- answers to questions.  If not, we'll offer them anyway as you show us your progress!
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    gearboxx70
    avatar
    gearboxx70
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 2
    Join date : 2014-11-12
    • Post n°4

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    Post by gearboxx70 Fri Nov 14, 2014 9:19 am

    Thanks for the welcome, guys!

    Todd, I live in northern California. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon.

    Ken, I'm looking toward something usable, and easy to maintain. My thought is to use a leaf spring for the prod, and hardwood for the stock. I have experience working with most materials, so even making my own drop in trigger is part of the plan.

    The end result should be something I can use for hunting or defense, and will last for many years. Once I have something that meets my satisfaction, I'll make a couple more just like it and start on the same thing in pistol size.
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    Hermit
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    Hermit
    Workshop Savvy

    Did you see my tool collection?


    Workshop SavvyDid you see my tool collection?


    Posts : 245
    Join date : 2013-09-10
    • Post n°5

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    Post by Hermit Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:30 am

    Hi Gearbox,from your self description,you already have the box,from what I know of this Forum,it's many experienced members will be happy to give you the gears................
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    Gnome
    Gnome
    Gnome
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 451
    Join date : 2011-10-16
    Age : 60
    Location : North Georgia
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    Post by Gnome Sun Nov 16, 2014 2:14 pm

    welcome, Gearbox. I think you've come to the right place to start the journey you've described. I don't know why it's so addictive- I've rebuilt a couple firearms, made a few swords and knives and warhammers and whatnot, but I set out three or so years ago to build ONE crossbow and by now I've built 10, six full size and four pistols. No shortage of useful advice here, sprinkled lightly with entertaining nonsense! Get started and let's see where this takes you.
    Gnome
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