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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
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

    First Efforts

    rickraedeke
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    Post by rickraedeke Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:04 pm

    First Efforts 100_5513First Efforts 100_5514Lifted the plans from several internet sites. My amazing housekeeper Tina scored a hit at fifty feet with zero training. She also wrapped the prod (an old Jayco)  and did all the lacing and knots using a crochet hook. At fifty feet some of the cheap Chinese bolts I was shooting went clean through the board to vanish into the dirt bank beyond. Not too bad I suppose.
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    Post by c sitas Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:41 pm

    A real nice effect . I like the hand work  you've done. It's things like that , that make it" your bow".Keep up the interest, it's catchie.
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    Post by JacobL Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:10 pm

    Loving the stock! What kind of wood?
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    Post by rickraedeke Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:17 pm

    First Efforts 100_5313
    First Efforts 100_5314
    Walnut from Home Depot. One application of linseed oil, hand rubbed.
    JacobL
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    Post by JacobL Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:51 pm

    Would you say a linseed oil finish is preferable over polyurethane? Very interested.
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    Post by kenh Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:30 pm

    If you like gloss, a linseed oil finish will never be as glossy as a normal or glossy urethane finish.  Linseed is more trouble to apply.
    Urethane is a harder finish, the wood will be less subject to minor dings and dents.

    Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances...
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    Post by JacobL Wed Aug 02, 2017 10:42 am

    I see. I do know of a friend that does a mix of poly and linseed oil, and man does he get a glossy finish on his work. Very impressive. I just don't like how urethanes apply so thick, hard to control without diluting them.
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    Post by kenh Wed Aug 02, 2017 2:23 pm

    I've never had a problem applying polyurethanes with either a brush or a spray can.  However normally I use "rub-on pol.  Minwax among others makes that.  My real preference is for a Tung Oil finish.
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    Post by JacobL Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:18 pm

    Tung oil? Guess it shows how much of a craftsman I really am when I say I have no idea what that is  Laughing

    I have had great success with urethanes, but the biggest problem with me was the brush strokes showing up, so I switched to a foam brush. Works great, have yet to see any dreaded brush strokes.

    Thanks for the replies! To you and to everybody else. Representing the community well for me.
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    Post by c sitas Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:06 am

    The problem with urethane is controling the shine. It's tuff enough. Ever notice though, nice things don't shine , they have a shene.
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    Post by kenh Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:41 am

    Never use "gloss" -- use the "satin" version
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    Post by c sitas Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:45 am

    Even so , your right but, it still wouldn't stand along side of a hand rubbed surface.
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    First Efforts Empty linseed oil finish

    Post by rickraedeke Thu Aug 03, 2017 10:05 am

    I'm new to crossbow building but I've been wood working all my life. Love linseed, one coat rubbed in with 24 hours to dry than buff. Not too much sheen, just enough flat. Stained the ramp with India ink.First Efforts 100_5416
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    Post by JacobL Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:03 pm

    Interesting. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion!
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    First Efforts Empty More build pics

    Post by rickraedeke Thu Aug 03, 2017 10:23 pm

    Jayco prod, Darkwood Armory string (very nice) aluminum nut was machined on my 75 year old Logan lathe that is still running top notch. Had a lot of fun with this.First Efforts 100_5417
    First Efforts 100_5317
    First Efforts 100_5418
    First Efforts 100_5516
    First Efforts 100_5517
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    First Efforts Empty Tina knots and braids

    Post by rickraedeke Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:37 pm

    First Efforts 100_5429
    First Efforts 100_5432
    First Efforts 100_5430
    First Efforts 100_5433
    First Efforts 100_5431
    Credit where credit is due. The remarkable Tina (my house keeper) put a lot of time and effort  into this build. Using crochet methods she turned out the beautiful work seen here.
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    Post by JacobL Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:41 am

    Some of the best builds are when there are more than one builder. Congrats to Tina! On the other hand, how does the aluminum nut hold up? Any wear? Rubbing?
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    Post by rickraedeke Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:54 am

    Tina would like express her thanks for your kind words. The aluminum nut is holding up  well with very little wear showing. I blackened the surface with a Sharpie pen and touch it up as needed. First Efforts 100_5522
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    Post by JacobL Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:09 pm

    No problem, Tina looks so happy with the bow  Smile I ask too many questions, but how did you make the rail on the top there? A router?
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    Post by rickraedeke Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:42 pm

    Never too many questions, ask away. This is my first build and you guys have been a rich source of build info  and are more than happy to share. Thank You. As for the ramp, the stock was made from two glued halves and when dry and solid the seam is easy to pick up with something pointy and sharp. I used a round jewelers file honed to a fine point. Using single strokes and progressively bigger tools I cut the groove by hand bringing it where I thought looked correct. The final tool used was a triangular file. Before oiling the wood I stained the ramp with black India ink swabbed on with old pieces of cotton cloth. First Efforts 100_5436
    First Efforts 100_5435
    First Efforts 100_5434
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    Post by JacobL Sat Aug 05, 2017 8:55 am

    I see. Thank you for the info. I also agree, this place is a great resource, and I'm learning quite a bit too. Hope to see more on this build!
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    Post by Gnome Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:10 pm

    Nice work, Rick and Tina. I'm curious about the bolt clip, it is quite tall. That doesn't block your line of sight for aiming?
    I used linseed oil and beeswax for years, then finally tried Tung oil. It's a great look with a lot less maintenance.
    Thanks for sharing your build,
    Gnome
    rickraedeke
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    Post by rickraedeke Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:17 pm

    Being my first build I'm still learning. I took my first bolt trap back to the forge yesterday and beat it into something a little lower a more accurate to the period. Left the metal rough and fire blued the hardware. The retaining screw was filed and
    ball peened to resemble a medieval nail (I assumed that's what they used) wanting to give it a somewhat rustic historical look. From what I understand the hardware for these interesting weapons was contracted to the local blacksmiths or fabricated by the builders themselves.  Turned out nice and the thing shoots.First Efforts 100_5532
    First Efforts 100_5533
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    Post by c sitas Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:53 am

    Rick ; Very well done .Workmanship is tops.
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    Post by rickraedeke Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:25 am

    Thank You one and all for the many positive and kind comments on my first build. Can't wait to get started on the next one. Yes, that's me in the profile pic, twenty years ago and fresh out of the academy.

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