HomeWell my name is Anthony and I love making crossbows. One odd thing about me is that I prefer making crossbows than shooting them 
. Oh and I am 13 years old about to be 14 
. Oh and I am 13 years old about to be 14 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
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
Hello from Southern California
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows
- Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
jake-owa- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 145
Join date : 2010-11-06
Awesome, welcome to your new home away from home.
Pics of any of your stuff would be really great. I love crossbows of all kinds.
Pics of any of your stuff would be really great. I love crossbows of all kinds.
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows - Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
Thanks for replying . At the moment Im working on a rifle stock crossbow.Its almost complete I just need a stirup (which will be made of some type of thick string for looks).I also need new string for the bow and a bit shaping on the stock. I horribly messed up my crossbow 
By drilling a hole where the finger grooves were being placed and now I have a very large hole near my finger grooves, So I must put a stirup going through there or else my fingergroove would look like a theremometer. None of my crossbows ever come out neatly there very cheaply made but effective. 
jake-owa- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 145
Join date : 2010-11-06
Well, effective is what counts.
What about steel cable for your stirrup? What draw weight are you shooting for?
What about steel cable for your stirrup? What draw weight are you shooting for?
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows - Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
Yeah ,steel cable would do the job but I want my crossbow to have an authentic old-school kind of look. Approximately 110 or 120# But I might shorten my Leaf spring for a bit more power around 150#
Oh yeah I forgot to mention I still need my trigger on the crossbow. The crossbow's trigger area looks very odd because I had a Pin trigger (it pushes the string up)And It was MUCH to hard to shoot.So now I cut a groove inside the trigger area and I need to put a more effective trigger.
I just need a supplier of metal for that.Where do you get your metal for your trigger?
Thanks Imma get working right now.
Oh yeah I forgot to mention I still need my trigger on the crossbow. The crossbow's trigger area looks very odd because I had a Pin trigger (it pushes the string up)And It was MUCH to hard to shoot.So now I cut a groove inside the trigger area and I need to put a more effective trigger.
I just need a supplier of metal for that.Where do you get your metal for your trigger?
Thanks Imma get working right now.
jake-owa- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 145
Join date : 2010-11-06
I am working up my trigger with mild steel stock from Lowe's.
What style trigger are you after? You can add a go between lever to help the push pin. I recommend looking at the trigger designs here to see what suits you most.
Pics?
What style trigger are you after? You can add a go between lever to help the push pin. I recommend looking at the trigger designs here to see what suits you most.
Pics?
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows - Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
Lowe's you said..Hmm..Ill be sure to go there today then
Im planning on doing a simple type of trigger ,It uses the roller nut style trigger and a "L" that pivots for the trigger.
I would upload photos but I dont own a camera .Sorry
Ill try to use my sisters camera when she gets home..How do you upload photos?
Im planning on doing a simple type of trigger ,It uses the roller nut style trigger and a "L" that pivots for the trigger.
I would upload photos but I dont own a camera .Sorry
Ill try to use my sisters camera when she gets home..How do you upload photos?
jake-owa- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 145
Join date : 2010-11-06
Well, you post them somewhere online or in dropbox and paste the html location in your post here. This site doesn't host photos I don't think.
Ivo- Admin
- Posts : 1041
Join date : 2009-11-25
Age : 36
Location : NJ, USA
Hi and Welcome Young XBow,
I was a little hesitant at first on the welcomes(drawing from my experience with my younger brother who is also 13 and surprisingly also Anthony by name
), but so far you are proving my assumptions wrong and I'm glad it's turning out that way...keep it up. 
We would definitely like to see your builds and I did a bit of a tutorial to help with the picture posting question >>>Link
Jake is right, you can use a picture hosting website like Photobucket.com and then copy an IMG code to your post, and another option is to use the built-in picture hosting option that I explain how to use in the video.
Triggers are kinda scattered around the forum in peoples builds, so you can just post your build as a new topic in the workshop and we can discuss it there...we're always glad to help out.
Lastly...I really hope you're not soloing this thing and have an adult watching over your progress. Reason I'm worried is we would really hate it if you got hurt...it is a crazy hobby and sometimes bad things happen. Play safe.
Again Welcome,
Ivo
I was a little hesitant at first on the welcomes(drawing from my experience with my younger brother who is also 13 and surprisingly also Anthony by name
), but so far you are proving my assumptions wrong and I'm glad it's turning out that way...keep it up. We would definitely like to see your builds and I did a bit of a tutorial to help with the picture posting question >>>Link
Jake is right, you can use a picture hosting website like Photobucket.com and then copy an IMG code to your post, and another option is to use the built-in picture hosting option that I explain how to use in the video.
Triggers are kinda scattered around the forum in peoples builds, so you can just post your build as a new topic in the workshop and we can discuss it there...we're always glad to help out.
Lastly...I really hope you're not soloing this thing and have an adult watching over your progress. Reason I'm worried is we would really hate it if you got hurt...it is a crazy hobby and sometimes bad things happen. Play safe.
Again Welcome,
Ivo
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows - Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
Oh Okay Ill try to do it soon when I get REAL progress,all day I was busy shopping for my Graduation from Junior High to High School clothes.Its really time consuming.
And thank you for worrying about me,my dad is always with me when Im using dangerous tools,grinder,powered hacksaw,etc
Quick question:Is it okay If I use metal cable/wire as the string for my crossbow?
Im planning on putting a metal rail So the wire wont damage the wood.
And thank you for worrying about me,my dad is always with me when Im using dangerous tools,grinder,powered hacksaw,etc
Quick question:Is it okay If I use metal cable/wire as the string for my crossbow?
Im planning on putting a metal rail So the wire wont damage the wood.
jake-owa- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 145
Join date : 2010-11-06
Most of the home built Russian bows I have seen use steel cabling. I am no expert but I think it could work fine. If you are going to try to shoot dowels you may end up beating the ends up but as long as you design your trigger so the arrow can rest firmly on the string I bet you would be ok.
Problem with steel cable is the mass. You have to snap that heavier cable up to speed. It probably won't be an issue, just covering all the bases I can think of.
Problem with steel cable is the mass. You have to snap that heavier cable up to speed. It probably won't be an issue, just covering all the bases I can think of.
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows - Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
Oh I get you ,my trigger wont let the bolt rest on the string so what If I would put some type of "sear"on the end of my bolt(my bolts are dowels)Just like a ruller nut uses a sear.
jake-owa- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 145
Join date : 2010-11-06
Even with a sear reinforcement you will be striking the arrow, pushing it into a possibly bad trajectory right off the bat. I think the smoothest acceleration you can get would be best. Also, making your own arrows can be tedious. I eventually just forced my bows to accept standard crossbow bolts.
Ivo- Admin
- Posts : 1041
Join date : 2009-11-25
Age : 36
Location : NJ, USA
Check out Crossbow Building Wiki for information regarding string making. Our friend Basileus did an excellent job on gathering all sorts of information regarding our topic, read through it and most of your questions will be answered. 
The Wiki can be found in the right side panel > "New member & useful links"
Ivo
The Wiki can be found in the right side panel > "New member & useful links"
Ivo
Geezer- Master Crossbowyer
- Posts : 1194
Join date : 2010-01-12
Age : 76
Location : Austin, Texas, USA
Steel cable for crossbow strings?
Steel cable will work... heck, I've seen iron chain used for crossbow strings, but it's a very-very poor choice. Steel is heavy, and heavy strings hurt performance a LOT. Steel strings are hard, they wear down every part they come in contact with. Steel cable strings STRETCH with use and eventually go flying, but they cannot be twisted down to fit after stretching. They just kink instead.
So yeah, you can make a bowstring out of steel cable, but honestly, a bit of clothes-line would do a better job.
LIke the man said, check the links for string-making. I recommend Dacron B-50 for the purpose, but you can make a tolerable (if somewhat stretchy) string out of artificial sinew, available at your local leather-working store.
Geezer
Steel cable will work... heck, I've seen iron chain used for crossbow strings, but it's a very-very poor choice. Steel is heavy, and heavy strings hurt performance a LOT. Steel strings are hard, they wear down every part they come in contact with. Steel cable strings STRETCH with use and eventually go flying, but they cannot be twisted down to fit after stretching. They just kink instead.
So yeah, you can make a bowstring out of steel cable, but honestly, a bit of clothes-line would do a better job.
LIke the man said, check the links for string-making. I recommend Dacron B-50 for the purpose, but you can make a tolerable (if somewhat stretchy) string out of artificial sinew, available at your local leather-working store.
Geezer
theyoungXbow- Fresh Blood
Doesn't mean
I'm new to crossbows - Posts : 7
Join date : 2011-05-27
Age : 26
Location : Moreno Valley ,California
Thank you so much guys! I will make good of your advice.
Unfortuneatly Im leaving for vacation to go to Mexico.Luckily theres a junk yard in front of my house and its free because we own it ,so ill probaly work on another crossbow over there.Might aswell take advantage of alll the free metal The only challenge will be finding wood suitable for a strong crossbow.
Thanks guys ill be back on July 16
Unfortuneatly Im leaving for vacation to go to Mexico.Luckily theres a junk yard in front of my house and its free because we own it ,so ill probaly work on another crossbow over there.Might aswell take advantage of alll the free metal
The only challenge will be finding wood suitable for a strong crossbow.Thanks guys ill be back on July 16
8fingers- Workshop Savvy
Did you see my tool collection?
- Posts : 200
Join date : 2011-04-06
Location : Chetwynd, BC, Canada
Anyway you could take some stock blanks with you?
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