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

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5 posters

    My version of medieval hunting crossbow

    Todd the archer
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    • Post n°1

    My version of medieval hunting crossbow Empty My version of medieval hunting crossbow

    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:41 pm

    I have been working on this for about 5 months off and on.
    My version of medieval hunting crossbow DSCF1423
    It uses a laminated wood and fiberglass prod 157# @12" power stroke mounted on a walnut tiller
    It may not be a historically correct medieval crossbow, but that is not what I was trying to achieve. I wanted a medieval "style" crossbow to use for hunting. So it has some variations such as the stirrup is independent of the binding for the prod.
    My version of medieval hunting crossbow DSCF1427
    This is done for two reasons:
    cocking the crossbow puts no strain on the bindings holding the prod and the stirrup is bolted on with two lag bolts which strengthen the forend of the tiller.
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    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:46 pm

    The nut is made from walnut 1 1/2" wide with a steel insert expoxied in for the trigger sear.
    My version of medieval hunting crossbow DSCF1421
    The bolt clip is made PVC pipe heated and molded to shape.
    My version of medieval hunting crossbow DSCF1424
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    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:59 pm

    Couple more touches for hunting. I came up with an automatic saftey that sets when the crossbow is cocked. You must hold back the spring loaded hinge under the trigger with your index finger while squeezing the tickler/trigger.
    My version of medieval hunting crossbow DSCF1428
    There is also a small groove at the end of the tiller to accommodate a rope cocker.
    Performance is better than I thought, chonograph says 243 FPS with a 428 grain arrow.
    Thanks for looking Todd
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    • Post n°4

    My version of medieval hunting crossbow Empty Todd

    Post by Moon Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:05 pm

    You are the man!!! Who made your recurve limb? Nice! cheers
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    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:40 pm

    Hi Moon, got the prod from elk ridge archery.
    http://www.elkridgearchery.com/Pilgrim%20Adult%20Longbows%20&%20Recurve.htm
    Todd
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    • Post n°6

    My version of medieval hunting crossbow Empty Thanks

    Post by Moon Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:47 pm

    How wide is it?
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    Post by Todd the archer Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:42 pm

    Just measured it. At brace it measures 34 1/2" tip to tip.
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    • Post n°8

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    Post by Ivo Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:59 am

    Good stuff Todd,

    Three things caught my eye:

    Very clean job on the binding and I have to agree with you on the path taken with the stirrup...keep things from stretching and therefore keep the prod from moving around...smart move.

    Great idea with that safety... that is one clever nick-nack that qualifies for the simply genius award.

    Beautiful recurve prod, I remember basilisk120 first showed off his bow with one of these laminated limbs, but I didn't realize they did glass laminated prods with such a wild veneer under it... definitely will drop a compliment to the elkridge guys. Wondering how heavy they managed to push the design, being glass prods they should easily go up to #200, although I don't see the need. BTW, what kind of arrow did you use in your test?

    All in all, glad to see the forum helps and that wheels are turning...Great job and happy hunting. Smile

    Ivo

    PS: Did you put a makers mark on this bow yet? My version of medieval hunting crossbow 951629
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    Post by Todd the archer Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:08 pm

    Thanks Ivo. Yeah I got the idea for the prod from seeing Basilisk 120,s crossbow. The one that I got was the heaviest Joe had in stock (Wow no wait time!). I asked about heavier ones but got a funny look from him and he said why would you want anything heavier. He said he might consider making heavier ones but after seeing how this one performs I see no reason to bother.
    The arrow I used is something else again. It is a 3/8" diameter hardwood (guessing ramin wood) dowel from a set of window blinds. It is 14 1/2" from the butt to the back of the 125 grain field point. Glued on two 3" feathers and filed flat sides on the butt end to fit inbetween the fingers of the nut. The total weight on a powder scale was 428 grains. In the future I want to make up some longer and heavier combos.
    No, I have not put a "makers mark" on it but now you have me thinking!
    Todd
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    Post by Moon Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:52 pm

    Todd, if you get a chance to chrono your setup please let us know the results.
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    Post by Todd the archer Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:31 pm

    I did shoot it thru my chrony: 3 shot average- 242.8

    Todd
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    • Post n°12

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    Post by Moon Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:09 pm

    and well worth the extra 7 inches in width over the steel prods....at least worth my rethinking which way to go :-)
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    Post by Todd the archer Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:26 pm

    No doubt the extra width allows for a longer power stroke which I believe is where the speed comes from. Also as a result of the longer stroke the over all length is 38 1/2" from end of stock to end of stirrup. Even so it only tips the scales at about 5 pounds as I did make the stock slender and sort of stretch out.

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    Post by Moon Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:32 pm

    keep the power stroke to about 9 or 10 inches. I would still end up with more speed than I can get with a similar draw weight steel prod and save physcial weight in the process. We shall see.
    Thanks for the info Very Happy
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    Post by Basilisk120 Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:35 pm

    That is one good looking bow and a clever way to mount to foot loop. I like how those composite prods can keep the crossbow weight down as well.
    I should add that the prod on my bow has a cool snake skin like finish from the wood choice that didn't show up too well in the picture.

    Yeah that long power stoke is were it is at.
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    • Post n°16

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    Post by basileus Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:31 am

    Todd the archer wrote:No doubt the extra width allows for a longer power stroke which I believe is where the speed comes from. Also as a result of the longer stroke the over all length is 38 1/2" from end of stock to end of stirrup. Even so it only tips the scales at about 5 pounds as I did make the stock slender and sort of stretch out.

    Todd

    Widening the bow allows increasing the poundage without having to shorten the draw length. Or in other words, width does not affect the maximum draw length, unlike thickness.

    Anyhow, the performance of that crossbow seems very good. Steel bows seem to require heavier bolts to work effectively. One of my steel crossbows (~150 pounds, 14" draw) gives 184fps with same weight bolts as yours. Doubling the bolt weight increases my crossbow's performance (energy output) significantly, around 40%. I doubt yours would benefit as much for a heavier bolt.

    What's your draw length, btw? The suggested 9-10" seems too little for such a long bow. I'd use more (15"?) but then again I don't know how much punishment fiberglass-wood bows can take...
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    • Post n°17

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    Post by Todd the archer Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:08 pm

    Just to clarify things about the draw length. The power stroke of 12" is measured from the string at rest or brace height to the groove in the nut. Add to that the brace height of 3" from string to the inside of limb where it makes contact with stock and you have an overall draw length of 15". Hope this makes everything more clear.

    Todd
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