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

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    contemporary crossbow build

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:49 pm

    Been thinking about building another crossbow. I had certain parameters I wanted to meet.

    Light weight and compact.
    Ergonomically design for natural handling.


    I hunt sometimes in a tree stand but also like to do some still hunting which is slowly walking through the woods looking for game.

    The idea was to build something that would be a joy to CARRY around in the woods and not something that is a joy when you hang it on a hook once your in the tree stand.

    So here is a sketch of what I came up with:
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-07162639_zps21584854

    What you think?

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:58 pm

    I liked how it looked so I made a template and transferred it to a slab of Walnut I had laying around although it was a little too short.
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-07162713_zps22bba467
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-07162741_zpsd74f941c
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-07162804_zpse1dc88bb

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:01 pm

    It will not be all handmade parts. I am using the trigger and bolt clip from a Horton Steel Force.
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-07162918_zpsf7b09908

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:05 pm

    Roughed out the profile. Was a bit of work as my bandsaw is down right now. Used a circular saw and drill bits. Pictured with the piece of wood to be spliced on the butt end.

    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-07192920_zps0859cade

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:08 pm

    Here it is with the splice in and trimmed closer to the outline.
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-11045256_zpsde063492
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-11045313_zps287e87af

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:10 pm

    Now it is inletted for the trigger and the groove for using three fletched bolts.
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-15073851_zps4d67c1ba

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:11 pm

    Mostly contoured.
    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-17203115_zps98dee71a

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    Post by Todd the archer Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:13 pm

    Just about done sanding, and I added a buttplate made from Osage Orange.

    contemporary crossbow build 2013-07-22171014_zps84b6c29b

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    Post by Lightly Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:28 pm

    Todd! It's been nearly a half an hour! What else have you done?

    Really liking this... and love the documentation, from a drawing, to a chunk of wood, to this... cannot wait to see more. It is really good looking, and looks comfy as well.
    Love to also see a photo of you holding it up, ready to shoot, see your hand placement, and it's fit.
    I love the medieval bows, and someday, would also love to make one more contemporary, like this.
    Thanks so much for sharing.

    Best!
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    Post by chaz Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:04 am

    Todd,
        Very nice.............. kinda "James Bond " in a medievil sort  of way!
    Can't wait to see the end product.

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    Post by Todd the archer Fri Jul 26, 2013 2:16 am



    Thanks everyone, putting on the finish at this time. Using Tru-oil for the finish.

    Been working on this for over a month in my spare time but did not want to torture you all by slowly dragging out the progress, so I wait until now to reveal my project!

    Should have it together and shooting in a couple of days.

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    Post by kenh Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:48 am

    Really nice, Todd.  Sort of "stick and string meets Star Wars".  Great tiller profile, and beautiful woodwork as always.  What are you mounted for the prod?
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    Post by Stonedog Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:13 am

    Definitely reminds me of Chewbacca's bowcaster!
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    Post by Todd the archer Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:43 pm

    For the prod I plan on using one of those 150 pound Poe Lang/Man Kung fiberglass prods. They are narrow enough to keep the overall dimensions where I want it.

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    Post by Lanceofsouthaustralia Fri Jul 26, 2013 5:36 pm

    Hi Todd .
    What a beauty as always your work is exceptional and a inspiration to those of us just starting out . I was particulary interested how you spliced the new piece of wood onto the but . Thanks for sharing .
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    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:04 am

    Thanks Lance. Don't know if a splice is the best word. Where the bark was I removed the bark then ran it across my bench top joiner until I had a flat surface to glue the other piece of wood to. Simple over lapping of wood. When I glued together I clamped with strips of rubber innertube wrapped around at different angles so it did not slide off while the glue set up.

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    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:44 pm

    Here it is basically finished. I have a cheap scope on it now but it is set too low and plan on changing it later to a shorter red dot sight.
    contemporary crossbow build 114_1609_zps98f63570
    contemporary crossbow build 114_1607_zpsf88f595a

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    Post by kenh Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:22 pm

    William Tell meets the 21st Century!  Very nice indeed.  Love the flowing ergonomic shape.  Like a great target rifl, you "wear" this rather than just carry it.
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    Post by Todd the archer Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:41 pm

    Thanks Ken. I kind of think of it as traditional meets tactical. Been working on the mount for the red dot and it is just about done. The new sight set up is higher and lines up better for sighting.

    I have shot it some and I have to say it is a lot of fun, very easy to handle and carry around like a longbow compared to a compound.

    I am going to call this one "Woodswalker".

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    Post by ZigiMan Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:47 am

    Impressive work, Todd! That's a look I really like! Looks wonderful!
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    Post by Gnome Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:35 pm

    A work of art, Todd, in a very "form follows function" kinda way!
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    Post by Todd the archer Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:53 pm

    Thanks everyone again, I definitely am a form follows function guy because if it does not serve it's intended purpose then it really is no use to me no matter how pretty it is.

    Have the red dot sight just about finish and will have pics and maybe a video in a few days.

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    Post by Todd the archer Sat Aug 03, 2013 5:28 am

    Couple of pictures with the red dot mounted. Note the round disc of Osage at the rear of the sight is for elevation adjustments.

    contemporary crossbow build 114_1614_zpsaab38159
    contemporary crossbow build 114_1615_zpsed706c27

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    Post by Hotspur Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:45 am

    Great work Todd.

    Sorry to pepper you with questions...Smile 

    In accommodating the fletch grove, does it make the string push on down on the table too much (I gather fiberglass is never  canted up)? Also, is that a bolt pushing the prod in place?  The shoulder sling configuration I'm swiping.
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    Post by Todd the archer Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:07 am

    Hotspur, the fiberglass prod is tilted up some but still has some down pressure. The bolt in front does clap the prod in place much like the cheaper recreational crossbows use, very simple and effective. Ha,ha that's not a shoulder sling but the stirrup for the foot when cocking, helps keep the overall length more compact.

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