So I decided it might be fun to try to make a crossbow. After a few unhelpful google searches I found this site. The problem is, theres way too much info! I was hoping to make an "early" style crossbow with minimum modern tools and resorces. Really! I don't mind chisling a block of wood for a year. So my question is... Does anyone know of a middle ages crossbow that can be made with minimum modern resorces? I would prefer if it is hand-cockable.

I do however have access to a coal forge if metal is involved.

Hi Nurgle, Welcome to the Forum!

Minimum resources?

Can you please be a little more specific from that point on?

If you're asking whether it's possible to build a crossbow out of what you have on hand with minimum knowledge of how crossbows work.

- My answer would be "Yes and No"

You can build an improvised crossbow from materials you find laying around, but to do that you really need to know the principals on which these weapons operate and how to best put them together.

Each component has to function correctly and play along with the rest of the components, the only way to make that happen for a beginner is to go looking for examples...and this forum has quite a few.

Also, and this is something you should do first, is read a few books on crossbow building. The recommended ones are:

• Iolo's First Book of Crossbows (A very nice resource written by David R. Watson, aka Geezer on the forum)
  
• The Crossbow - (written by by Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, wish he was a member here )
  
• Crossbow Building Wiki - (Put together by one of our members, this is a resources with both practical and theoretical articles on crossbow design and construction that will give you better understanding of the process)
  
• And finally the Arbalist Forum. Here we discuss our projects, ask and answer questions, bringing the information that was once only available through heavy research - to the surface. Making Crossbow building available to anyone who is interested in the subject.
  

So, yeah...you really need to get a grip on the resources made available to you and make your choices based upon what you learn. No there is no "easy" paint by #'s way of doing it....You have to read, look at different examples, read some more, make decisions, gather materials/tools, plan your build, and get to it...the good thing is - we are here for you every step of the way. You can ask a question at any time and we will try and answer it for you as best as possible basing it on our personal experiences.

I hope you don't see my answer as rude, it's just how things work - you need to know what you want to do, we can't tell you what you want.

Please read the Crossbow Resources topics, as well as visit the New Member & Useful Links found in the panel on the right side of the forum. Don't rush, get to know the place, read the forums...there are quite a few picture rich build-alongs to serve as a visual aid in understanding what you'll be doing when building the crossbow. We have a great team here and would be glad to have you join the discussion. Just make it worth it...read through the forum rules and use the search feature *before posting anything*...once you see that you can't find an answer to your question, that's when you go in and ask your question in a topic dealing with the issue *or* if no such topic exists - you have the honor of starting it.


Good Luck, hope it wasn't an overkill.


Ivo

Hi, Nurgle, if you are looking for a simple "early" design crossbow, you should take a look at this page: Skåne Lockbow

The lockbow is made entirely of wood, but i am sure you won't have to chisel a block of wood for a year to make one

Alright. Thank you both for the information. Ivo I didn't think you were rude, you gave me alot of information and thats what I was looking for. I'll be looking at those resorces soon.

Cheers!

Cleaned the topic of all the junk (way to go on getting off topic ) so...

Ivo