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New guy’s First Build
I was hesitant to post this build since it is a very amateur effort compared to what I have seen on this site but what the heck, gotta start somewhere. My intent for this build was to make a functioning crossbow using materials on hand, mostly wood, where possible and to learn and have fun. I pretty much succeeded on all counts although it is an ugly beast.
I did not have a plan, or a prod to build around and I now realize that this was not a great way to start but lesson learned.
The prod is made from two fiberglass chain link tension bars (thanks to kenh for the idea) held together with shrink tubing and zip ties. The zip ties are not a great idea as they stretch when flexed and don’t have the elasticity to return to size, and since I cut off the tails before flexing the prod I can’t tighten them now.
The tiller is just soft woods I had lying around the shop. The rifle stock part is two 1x6 fence boards one spruce and one cedar, glued and doweled together. The rail part is poplar and wasn't supposed to be as high but when I went to route the bolt groove I couldn't find the mounting bolts for my router table so I built up the rail with two strips of poplar to create the groove.
The stirrup is made from two bicycle training wheel brackets bolted together.
The trigger mechanism is a combination of old and new styles, pinlock release with a modern trigger. Another not so great idea here as the trigger is extremely heavy, I imagine with a tickler and its extended leverage it would be a lot lighter.
I fired two test shots couple of nights ago in the basement from 24ft and the grouping was great however on the second shot the bracket holding the prod in place split and part flew off. Not a good idea for securing the prod since it is basically a bending handle bow so the flex popped the wood. Plus I had the grain on the oak plate running parallel to the prod.
Prod is 28” lg, 27” ntn, braced at 3” with 11” power stroke. Pulls about 68lbs measured with a bathroom scale. I was expecting heavier after reading kenh’s “Loose laminate pinlock build” but then realized the fiberglass rods I have are ½” wide versus his ¾” ones. Maybe 3 rods next time?
I’m still tinkering with the build and it will be good for shooting in the basement this winter while I plan my next. For the next one I will plan it out this time, start with a prod, share plans, ideas and pictures during the process and seek advice from members here.
I was hesitant to post this build since it is a very amateur effort compared to what I have seen on this site but what the heck, gotta start somewhere. My intent for this build was to make a functioning crossbow using materials on hand, mostly wood, where possible and to learn and have fun. I pretty much succeeded on all counts although it is an ugly beast.
I did not have a plan, or a prod to build around and I now realize that this was not a great way to start but lesson learned.
The prod is made from two fiberglass chain link tension bars (thanks to kenh for the idea) held together with shrink tubing and zip ties. The zip ties are not a great idea as they stretch when flexed and don’t have the elasticity to return to size, and since I cut off the tails before flexing the prod I can’t tighten them now.
The tiller is just soft woods I had lying around the shop. The rifle stock part is two 1x6 fence boards one spruce and one cedar, glued and doweled together. The rail part is poplar and wasn't supposed to be as high but when I went to route the bolt groove I couldn't find the mounting bolts for my router table so I built up the rail with two strips of poplar to create the groove.
The stirrup is made from two bicycle training wheel brackets bolted together.
The trigger mechanism is a combination of old and new styles, pinlock release with a modern trigger. Another not so great idea here as the trigger is extremely heavy, I imagine with a tickler and its extended leverage it would be a lot lighter.
I fired two test shots couple of nights ago in the basement from 24ft and the grouping was great however on the second shot the bracket holding the prod in place split and part flew off. Not a good idea for securing the prod since it is basically a bending handle bow so the flex popped the wood. Plus I had the grain on the oak plate running parallel to the prod.
Prod is 28” lg, 27” ntn, braced at 3” with 11” power stroke. Pulls about 68lbs measured with a bathroom scale. I was expecting heavier after reading kenh’s “Loose laminate pinlock build” but then realized the fiberglass rods I have are ½” wide versus his ¾” ones. Maybe 3 rods next time?
I’m still tinkering with the build and it will be good for shooting in the basement this winter while I plan my next. For the next one I will plan it out this time, start with a prod, share plans, ideas and pictures during the process and seek advice from members here.
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