Hello from Eastern Canada

Just joining up, mostly trying to gather info on building a medieval style crossbow and/or arbalist, not sure of the proper terminology. REcently found out that Crossbow hunting has been made legal in my are so that's a future possibility too. Anyway, hi.

Welcome to the forum!

Lots of experience here to draw on.  When you figure out a general build direction you will get more input than you know what to do with

more than likely looking to build a sort of medieval heavy crossbow, I've got this leaf spring see………here's an example of what I'm after.

It makes sense to start with the prod and its draw length as the nut position and the tiller will follow those dictated measurements.

There are some threads here about shaping a leaf spring.  Spring steel will make a great authentic medieval looking bow with the resultant authentic short power stroke. I think a good starting point is the free plans on Alchem Inc (careful ordering parts from them as delivery times are measured by seasons) Plans are at the very bottom of this page:

http://www.alcheminc.com/crossbow.html

If you need some pre-made medieval type parts I recommend Slobows:
http://www.slobowscrossbows.com/

There are a couple of threads on nut material here as well worth reading.

Something to consider at the planning phase (some here may disagree) but I think if hunting is going to be a prime use, I would consider a fibreglass prod.  With a steel prod the bolt velocity will, in my opinion, end up a little slow for deer hunting (probably around 200 fps give or take).  This will be the case regardless of draw weight as the limiting factor is the efficiency and physics of steel.  All other things being equal, the increased power stroke and efficiency of glass will make a better hunting bow and be lighter to carry.

Heh! Wargasm, that bow came from our shop, I'd say, some time ago, at least not in the last 5 years, I think..

Good luck on building a bow, and keep the questions coming...

Best!

Lightly

Hi, just joined myself, (2 years after you ) I am from the East coast myself.