The Arbalist Guild

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

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

Latest topics

» [solved]Skane/Lillohus crossbow thread
by stuckinthemud1 Sat Aug 10, 2024 3:16 pm

» Colletiere a Charavines continuing experiment
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Aug 02, 2024 7:13 am

» What you building?
by hullutiedemies Tue Jul 09, 2024 12:39 am

» 12th Century Chinese Crossbow Chronographed
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Nov 24, 2023 3:50 pm

» Crossbow Stock
by kenh Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:19 am

» Cocking - how
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:24 am

» Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin
by stuckinthemud1 Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:10 am

» Arab Crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:57 am

» prod angle, and lever trigger for sale anyone?
by stuckinthemud1 Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:54 am

» flexible string
by jasper1978 Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:25 am

» jens sensfelder
by jasper1978 Wed Mar 08, 2023 11:58 pm

» 400lb Windlass crossbow bolts weight and accuracy shooting high.
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:53 pm

» Codex Löffelholz crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:14 pm

» Digitar prodsc
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Jan 15, 2023 2:42 pm

» Troubleshooting
by Andy. Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:29 pm

» Wood Prods
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 12:47 pm

» Colletiere a Charavines crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:54 am

» Simplified Löffelhotz speedloader
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:05 pm

» Fiberglass H-bows
by c sitas Sat Nov 12, 2022 8:44 am

» Bad Antler
by drawknife Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:48 am

» Anyone make their own bolts?
by Juniper Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:20 am

» Josef alm in English
by Juniper Sat Oct 15, 2022 4:22 am

» Qin/Han lock drawings
by kenh Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:16 pm

» stirrup dimensions?
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:49 pm

» Skane/Lillohus lockbow information needed
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:23 am


+3
Geezer
kenh
victortkz
7 posters

    where to find antler for nut construction

    victortkz
    avatar
    victortkz
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 7
    Join date : 2014-05-21
    Age : 39
    Location : Romania
    • Post n°1

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by victortkz Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:57 am

    Hi, I'm new to this and I decided in trying to build a crossbow replica.

    This will be my first build of something like this.
    The model is a 16th century german hunting crossbow, and I have some questions that hopefully someone could answer:

    I was wondering if someone could help me find a source of antler for the roller nut and the saddle.
    The required dimensions for the nut are: 
    45mm diameter
    40mm length 

    so I need a cylinder or some piece/s able to accommodate the nut and the saddle.

    What was the most common type of wood used for the tiller?

    I'm from Romania, so sources closer to my region are preferred.

    Thank you in advance, and as soon as i start working I'll create a thread with my build.

    Cheers
    • Back to top
    kenh
    kenh
    kenh
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 884
    Join date : 2012-08-03
    Age : 76
    Location : Living Aboard a Sailboat in Fort Myers, FL
    • Post n°2

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by kenh Tue Apr 09, 2019 6:53 am

    The base of a red stag antler should be just right. Not the part where it enlarges just at the skin, but above that and below the first branch.  You want 'new' antler, not something found lying about on the ground for who knows how long.  

    Any good hard hardwood (not pine) will do -- oak beech, maple, hawthorn, etc.
    • Back to top
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA
    • Post n°3

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by Geezer Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:03 am

    Moose horn (the stem) will give you pieces large enough. Google Moscow Hide and Fur  (Moscow Idaho, USA) You can see what's available and order online.  Geezer.
    • Back to top
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA
    • Post n°4

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by Geezer Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:23 pm

    As for wood to build your stock.  Crossbow makers used whatever good hardwood was available in their area.  I have seen cherry, walnut, oak, birch, elm, maple, pear, apple and others.  If you're in Romania, pick a plentiful, yet workable local hardwood and go to it. 
    Geezer.
    • Back to top
    victortkz
    avatar
    victortkz
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 7
    Join date : 2014-05-21
    Age : 39
    Location : Romania
    • Post n°5

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by victortkz Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:58 am

    Geezer wrote:Moose horn (the stem) will give you pieces large enough. Google Moscow Hide and Fur  (Moscow Idaho, USA) You can see what's available and order online.  Geezer.
     Tnx, but they don't seem to ship to europe, i couldn't even register with them (their form is US only)

    Regards,
    Victor
    • Back to top
    kenh
    kenh
    kenh
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 884
    Join date : 2012-08-03
    Age : 76
    Location : Living Aboard a Sailboat in Fort Myers, FL
    • Post n°6

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by kenh Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:52 am

    Do you know any hunters there?  They may be able to help you find the antler you need.
    • Back to top
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA
    • Post n°7

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by Geezer Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:09 pm

    Finnish Elk/Moose are closely related to North American moose, though their antlers aren't quite so dramatically palmate.  Do you suppose you could find a supplier in Finnland?  it's certainly closer than Idaho, USA.  Geezer.
    • Back to top
    Gnome
    Gnome
    Gnome
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 451
    Join date : 2011-10-16
    Age : 60
    Location : North Georgia
    • Post n°8

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by Gnome Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:52 pm

    Thanks Geezer! I just had to look up the word "palmate." Any day I learn a new word is a good day.
    Gnome
    • Back to top
    stuckinthemud1
    avatar
    stuckinthemud1
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 530
    Join date : 2014-02-05
    Age : 56
    Location : south wales valleys
    • Post n°9

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by stuckinthemud1 Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:59 am

    It was suggested to me that the most dense part of an antler is the pedicle - the part that exits the skull below the skin and that that is the most suitable part of the antler for making a nut from?

    I use Highland Horn in Scotland and The Stick Man, and have found both to be excellent, pretty sure they would be able to sort you out
    • Back to top
    8fingers
    avatar
    8fingers
    Workshop Savvy

    Did you see my tool collection?


    Workshop SavvyDid you see my tool collection?


    Posts : 200
    Join date : 2011-04-06
    Location : Chetwynd, BC, Canada
    • Post n°10

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by 8fingers Sat Apr 20, 2019 12:13 pm

    Over here, pet shops sell antler pieces as chew toys. Maybe a source your pet shop can look into. I toured German museums and saw that the crossbows that were actually used for hunting used horn, not antler for the nut, and dark woods for the tiller. The bone inlays are too shiny and scare game, and the glare impedes aiming. The horn nut was badly chipped but still serviceable in the crossbow I remember best. Knife maker supply companies offer disks of water buffalo horn 1 1/2" wide and 1" thick. An importer from the Philippines might be able to source water buffalo horn for you too. Other materials could be imported from Africa. Horn from African cattle looked like a good bet.  Also check out Sambar stag. Mercorne in France might be able to help.
    • Back to top
    victortkz
    avatar
    victortkz
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 7
    Join date : 2014-05-21
    Age : 39
    Location : Romania
    • Post n°11

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by victortkz Tue Apr 23, 2019 2:57 am

    Hi,
    I purchased a big red deer antler.
    And now I'm wandering how to cut the cylinder out of the burr to avoid the spongy part.
    Should i cut it axially or perpendicular on the axis of the antler?
    I don't know how the grain is inside the antler.

    Regards,

    Victor
    • Back to top
    victortkz
    avatar
    victortkz
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 7
    Join date : 2014-05-21
    Age : 39
    Location : Romania
    • Post n°12

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by victortkz Thu May 02, 2019 5:48 am

    Here I have some pics of the pieces of antler I was able to purchase
    Where is the highest density?
    how should I cut them?

    Regards,

    Victorwhere to find antler for nut construction 20190512
    where to find antler for nut construction 20190510
    where to find antler for nut construction 20190511
    • Back to top
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA
    • Post n°13

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by Geezer Thu May 02, 2019 2:35 pm

    Generally the best/hardest part of the antler is nearest the base. I cut with bandsaw, shave away the ruffly crown bits, and turn it on my lathe.  A drill press can serve in place of a lathe.  Geezer.
    • Back to top
    victortkz
    avatar
    victortkz
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 7
    Join date : 2014-05-21
    Age : 39
    Location : Romania
    • Post n°14

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by victortkz Mon May 20, 2019 4:26 am

    solved the problem... got this instead 
    where to find antler for nut construction 20190514where to find antler for nut construction 20190513
    • Back to top
    stuckinthemud1
    avatar
    stuckinthemud1
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 530
    Join date : 2014-02-05
    Age : 56
    Location : south wales valleys
    • Post n°15

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by stuckinthemud1 Sat May 25, 2019 9:56 am

    That looks excellent, what species is it?
    • Back to top
    drawknife
    avatar
    drawknife
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 37
    Join date : 2011-02-11
    Age : 75
    Location : Barnsley, England
    • Post n°16

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Crossbow nut

    Post by drawknife Sat May 25, 2019 10:43 am

    Hi,
    What you really need is the part of the skull that supports the antler. This is the hardest and most dense piece and as soon as you go past the coronet up into the antler itself it becomes weaker and fibrous. See if you can source a large skull and you will get 2 nuts from it. The saddle it revolves in can be done in the same way. Good luck. ps I tried Highland Horn in England but the pieces they sent were too small.
    • Back to top
    victortkz
    avatar
    victortkz
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 7
    Join date : 2014-05-21
    Age : 39
    Location : Romania
    • Post n°17

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by victortkz Sat May 25, 2019 10:47 am

    stuckinthemud1 wrote:That looks excellent, what species is it?
    It's moose
    very dense 
    i'll get about 4 nuts out of it
    • Back to top
    Sponsored content

    Sponsored content


    • Post n°18

    where to find antler for nut construction Empty Re: where to find antler for nut construction

    Post by Sponsored content

    • Back to top

      Current date/time is Tue Nov 26, 2024 9:54 pm