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

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4 posters

    PVC used for Prods

    tnetcenter
    tnetcenter
    Fresh Blood

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    I'm new to crossbows


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    PVC used for Prods Empty PVC used for Prods

    Post by tnetcenter Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:00 am

    Hi everyone,

    I just spent most of the evening looking at videos of various bows and crossbows using PVC for the limbs/prods.

    I was hoping there would be more information here but a couple of searches turned up nothing.

    I'm not expecting to get high power, in fact I'm thinking more along the lines of research and development uses.

    What are all of your thoughts on using PVC for prods and other components??

    From what I've seen, pvc is very workable and as far as prods and bows go - repairable!

    Jeff
    Bend, Oregon
    Gnome
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    PVC used for Prods Empty Re: PVC used for Prods

    Post by Gnome Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:13 am

    I know Todd the archer has made a few bows with thermally formed pvc pipe, though I haven't seen that he's used it for a crossbow. There are some benefits, mainly that it is so readily available and relatively inexpensive. If I understand correctly it does tend to "set" much more under tension than more traditional materials, which is probably why it's less suitable for crossbows than regular bows, where it only remains fully spanned for a second or two before release.
    I'm sitting on a supply of 3mm PVC sheet that I'm thinking about trying out in a loose-laminate prod sometime. I work in a signshop and this was ordered by accident- normal PVC signage is actually PVC foam, lightweight and brittle, but this stuff is solid, it's white like schedule 40 pipe but seems harder, has a glosssy, impact-resistant surface.
    Gnome
    Todd the archer
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    PVC used for Prods Empty Re: PVC used for Prods

    Post by Todd the archer Sat Aug 24, 2013 10:29 am

    Pretty much what Gnome said. I have made several bows from PVC for fun and experimentation but not none on a crossbow although Nick (AKA Backyard bowyer) has. A lot like wood in some ways, does take a set and like all wood prods best for light weight (read low stress) applications IMO.
    PVC used for Prods Hungarianstylebow259

    Todd
    tnetcenter
    tnetcenter
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


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    PVC used for Prods Empty Re: PVC used for Prods

    Post by tnetcenter Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:40 pm

    Nick "The Backyard Bowyer" is the author of a lot of the videos I watched including a 100 lb draw crossbow that has some interesting features.  I did look at several other PVC crossbow videos as well.

    As I indicated earlier, I'm likely to use PVC as a research and development tool rather than as a final product.  I'm actually looking at using chain link fence fiberglass Tension Bars for loose laminate prods.


    Last edited by tnetcenter on Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
    Todd the archer
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    PVC used for Prods Empty Re: PVC used for Prods

    Post by Todd the archer Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:50 pm

    PVC is good for experimental purposes. But I have to say that the Asian imported prods from poe lang and man kung are bargains for the money 25.00 to 30.00. Although that takes something away from the homebuilt pride.


    Kenh has made some crossbows using loose laminates maybe he will chime in.


    Todd
    kenh
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    PVC used for Prods Empty Re: PVC used for Prods

    Post by kenh Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:24 am

    There's a really good group on Google+ called PVC Archery and Crafting, run by my friend Tim Piatek.   Tim is currently working up a crossbow prod with 1.5" PVC flattened, and at first guess it's going to draw over 200#.  But the jury is still out on whether it will work, and if so, how effectively.

    Backyard Nick's 100# crossbow has an interesting, easy to make top-lock action that allows the shooter to use conventionally nocked arrows rather than flat-butted bolts.. 

    The 'bow in my Avatar is made with chainlink tension bar fiberglass.  It works very well, the lams held in place with bands of heat-shrink tubing.  You can read about my adventures with loose laminations and chainlink tension bar here:

    https://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t945-loose-laminate-pinlock-build?highlight=pinlock
    and here:
    https://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t740-loose-laminate-prods

    For my non-traditional money, chainlink tension bar is hands down the easiest, least expensive way to get a powerful crossbow prod for under $20.

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