Looking for someone who wants to build a crossbow (Crossbow kit development)

Hey guys and/or gals I have been playing around with the idea of making a medieval crossbow kit. It would be all roughed in with the nut and trigger etc., in fact it would be shootable upon assembly. The stock would be cut out in profile only and would need to be shaped and finished. This would be complete with nothing needed to buy.

What I am looking for is someone to finish one of these and to take some pics to showcase the finish product. Ideally I would like someone to to show the full potential of what can be done with this kit. For example: inlays, carving.

Well what do you all think, anyone interested?

I think this sounds like a great product. There are a number of U-Finish longbows for sale and they seem to be selling well. I know a number of people who would like to get into crossbow shooting and have talked about building one and I think they would love a kit crossbow.

If you looking for testers or need some help, just let me know what I can do to help.

Thanks Basilisk 120, yes I am looking for a tester. Here is what I got so far:


Later I will try to post a pic of the conponents.

Todd

looks like a good kit bow. A great canvas for creating something really neat looking.

I just took the "kit" out and shot it thru the chronagraph.

The specs: 95 pound draw weight @ 8" power stroke (fiberglass prod)

281 grain bolt shot 179 fps

435 grain bolt shot 150 fps

Not too shabby for a light weight.

Todd

Here is a pic of the kit broken down:

Includes:

stock

prod with string

trigger with axle pin

nut with steel sear insert

nut side plate

filler block for trigger slot

bolt clip with screws

stirrup with bolts

wood wedges for prod

I am considering leaving the end of the stock long and uncut for different prod options. Would like input for any other ideas.

Todd

Well you need different options for people to choice from. So one version with the prod and the end cut and another version without the prod and without the mounting hole.

That should be easy enough to start with.


Sounds like its a nice shooter.

Looks like a nice kit. I'd like to take it on but I'm calling myself 8fingers for a good reason and I'm not healed up yet. I know an experienced builder ( retired shop teacher more than 70 crossbows on Alchem plans) in Alberta that could give you good feedback on how newby friendly it is.

Hi 8fingers, you could call me 9 fingers. Hope you are healing well. Send me a message if you want to talk about anything. Yes, I would appriciate as much feed back as possible from novices to experts.

Todd

Talked to the experienced builder and he says he is to busy to take on anymore. We have some tinkerers up here that get things done. I'll talk to them next. We use lots of crossbows in our SCA games and never have enough.
Hope to be back to work in about a week, but I'm still sore, very stiff. More ballistas next.

Todd,

Very nice kit man!

The stirrup is kind of a brute, but that is the sturdiest design I've seen mounted to a wooden stock, in fact I think Robin Allan used that same exact "two bolts through" to mount his stirrups.

As for a lighter stirrup, how about this?



It's not precise stuff, but merely a concept. The two wood screws can be placed farther apart and go into the stock in front of and behind the prod center. That might be a good reinforcement for those wanting to build thinner stocks. Also I think I've seen the clip that holds the stirrup, sold at homedepot, but I'm not sure.

Let me know what you think.

Ivo

PS: I tried bending a rod in a vise a few time trying to get a stirrup
shape, but with not much luck...always landed in the wrong plane.Then
copied this guys setup...haha ...havent been on that site in a long time- really cool place.
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/information_source/how_to_articles_for_model_builders/tools/make_board_edge_clamps/index.htm

Ivo wrote:

As for a lighter stirrup, how about this?

That's a clever idea, but I think those screws are way to close to the end of the tiller. I see it splitting out at an inopportune moment and sending the butt of the tiller into your nose!

A longer bracket would help a lot by leaving more wood to bear the stress.

Mac

There is a fair bit of interest in my local SCA group about an affordable crowbow kit. When your ready for some testers or have some to sell let me know and we can get some people lined up.

mac wrote:

Ivo wrote:

As for a lighter stirrup, how about this?

That's a clever idea, but I think those screws are way to close to the end of the tiller. I see it splitting out at an inopportune moment and sending the butt of the tiller into your nose!

A longer bracket would help a lot by leaving more wood to bear the stress.

Mac

Its a clever idea but I think Mac is right about it pulling out since it has to deal with considerable amount of shear stress and a likely bending moment.
That and I believe the stirrup is helping to hold the prod in place, or at least that how it looks in the picture.

Here is a pic of my other stirrup design:

But I think I like my newer method better. It is a little simpler plus the ends of the stirrup clamp down on a pair of wedges that holds the prod in place.

Yep...that's where I got the idea from. Just pictured the prod in between the two screws and sketched it up...though drew it a bit wrong and only realized it as I was typing up a post. So Mac, Basilisk, totally agree with you guys.

Todd,
I kinda missed the stirrup's clamping action on the wedges at first, but now that you mentioned it...that is a very nice and more importantly... logical approach.

A crossbow kit...why hasn't this been done sooner? It's one of the best ideas I've ever read. I'd buy one if it was a reasonable price.

Is the nut made of wood too? It certainly looks like it in the picture.

Why not mount the stirrup to the binding block and lash it on with the prod?

Personally I have had some trouble with bindings loosing up. Still looking for and trying different materials that will hold up and stay tight. The wedge system, while not the most common method, holds very tighty and was used in the past in various forms although not exactly the way I employ it.

Todd

Hmmm I know I am the new guy here but if you are still looking for someone to take this on let me know the pariculars as far as cost,time frame, etc... I could see some really nice ergo curves on the tiller...
PAUL(INDIANA)

Geezer here: I have tried twice to comment on tying in prods, only to have this damned interface eat my posts. So I will try again, very briefly.
1. Make the prod-socket fit the prod tightly.
2. use lots of stout cord... preferably hemp or flax
3. Make the hole for the cord 'D' shaped and round off the flat of the 'D' so it doesn't cut the cord.
4. Lay down the cord skeins very carefully, with as little piling-up as possible... a pile of cord will shift over time, loosening the binding.
5. No matter what you do, bound-in stirrups will work loose.
6. medieval crossbowmakers covered the bridle-cord with some sort of waterproof preservative... I suspect it's pitch, like the stuff used to waterproof drinking vessels.
That'll have to do for now. Have fun stormin' da castle. Geezer

Hello,

I'm new here but I am interested in a medieval crossbow kit. I just finished my Scorpion Mark 3 (a ballista) and I would love to try a crossbow kit.

Paul in North Carolina

Todd the archer wrote:Hey guys and/or gals I have been playing around with the idea of making a medieval crossbow kit. It would be all roughed in with the nut and trigger etc., in fact it would be shootable upon assembly. The stock would be cut out in profile only and would need to be shaped and finished. This would be complete with nothing needed to buy.

What I am looking for is someone to finish one of these and to take some pics to showcase the finish product. Ideally I would like someone to to show the full potential of what can be done with this kit. For example: inlays, carving.

Well what do you all think, anyone interested?

It seems that we are al the same track, unfotunatelly not at the same time. A few months ago I bagan thinking on how to make a crossbow myself and I already made two, one with a modern mechanismus, (that I don't like) and the second resembling a medieval crossbow, with nut mechanismus. I am making my third one on the same style, however I would like to contact someone to interchange of ideas and suggestions.
I am writing from Guadalajara, Mexico, my name is Manuel Salazar; e-mail: msalazar2310@hotmail.com, cel pone is (52) 33 1040 0438. Please contact me, it Works very well with whatsapp.
Manuel

Are you still making the kits?, if so, on what draw weights?

Manuel Salazar
Guadalajara