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    Harlequin Crossbow

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    Post by AboMickey Tue May 01, 2012 10:34 pm

    Today I went to the lumber store and bought me a big ol hunk of white oak.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0335

    A little bowed I know but I like him just fine. My buddy let me come over and use his shop so I had access to a lot of nice machiney A little time on the jointer and the issue is solved.

    Did a rough sketch of what I wanted exactly. then took it to the band saw.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0336

    Then drilled the thumbhole and started sanding.... and sanding... and, well you get the picture.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0337

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0339

    I wanted to use his nice drill bits for the tigger mech hole thingie so I did that too.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0338

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0345

    Here's where I'm at so far...

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0341

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0342

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0343

    I've got a ways to go, but I'd thaught I'd share my progress on this one. I think I know someone who'll enjoy watching this guy get built.

    Side note: Why does the insert button exist? does anyone ever use it enough to a point where they say "hey, thank god this button is so close to the backspace button I use almost every two keystrokes. It makes it so convienient." Harlequin Crossbow 207946

    Anyway back on topic....

    You might be wondering why this topic is called "Harlequin Crossbow" I'm getting to that, hold on.

    You see, a very good person decided to entrust me with a beautiful custom made trigger and I feel the need to build a worthy home for it.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0344

    Ok, that picture stinks and does not do it justice. but here is a link to the topic it was spawned in.

    https://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t529-casting-the-harlequin-trigger?highlight=harlequin



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    Last edited by Ivo on Wed May 02, 2012 3:08 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Throwing in the vid :))
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    Post by Ivo Tue May 01, 2012 11:44 pm

    Haha! Man, you're in! Props to your friend too! Especially the one who let you use the tools. Laughing (I'm so full of it Harlequin Crossbow 576186 Harlequin Crossbow 207946 ) ...but yeh, aren't big good tools a wonder? ...and even more so in the hands of the guy who knows how to use them.Smile

    and YES, I think I know a guy who's going to enjoy watching this guy get built.......me! king ... and every other guy on the forums you post your builds at.

    Really a pleasure seeing everything go together dude. By the looks of it, I worried for no reason and you can handle this thing like a ride in the park. But still, anything I can help - with let me know.

    One thing that I will mention though...the rail sits pretty high, so the scope will be even higher. That said, you'll need to glue on a block of that oak right behind the trigger for the cheek rest. BUT, make sure you do that AFTER you cut the arrow groove (I used a combination of table saw and a "V" bit in the router)

    Good Luck dude, this is history right here!!!

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    Post by JoergS Wed May 02, 2012 12:33 am

    Great project! It will be truly interesting to follow it's progress.
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    Post by chaz Wed May 02, 2012 2:52 am

    Abo,

    I'm in to enjoy watching this build .............................. please continue with plenty of photos!

    Thanks

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    Post by ferdinand Wed May 02, 2012 6:14 am

    Nice work so far! Love that oak!
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    Post by Gnome Wed May 02, 2012 7:55 am

    Looks like you're off to a great start. I've done one tiller from a solid piece and several that are thinner pieces laminated together, and while the second method is easier for me to get right with my tools and possibly more stable versus warpage, there's a great esthetic to carving the beast out of a single chunk.

    I agree with Ivo on the cheek rest or "comb," though. I've done one build with a scope and thought I had it high enough, until I actually got the scope on. I had to retrofit a pad on there for a better fit.

    What prod have you got in mind for this one?

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    Post by Guest Wed May 02, 2012 12:40 pm

    I just want to reach in and touch it. Harlequin Crossbow 42823

    Looks amazing Abo!Harlequin Crossbow 281117

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    Post by AboMickey Wed May 02, 2012 8:15 pm

    Damn, just had a nice post written and I accidentally closed the window.. derp.

    anywho..

    got some work done today, cut the arrow groove, cut space for the riser, drilled out the place for the trigger, and I glued on a block for the cheek rest.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0352

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0350

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0351

    So yeah, not alot but I had to stop to let things dry and whatnot.

    Any suggestions for a color sheme? the mech and the riser are gonna be black. I'd like to stain it, but I aslo want to keep the jester thing goin. Joerg, how do you get your wood so shiny and beautiful? You say you polish it but what does that entail?
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    Post by Ivo Wed May 02, 2012 9:04 pm

    Progress looks great. Smile

    Also good that you cut the groove so wide, I sent you a message (and you got it), but I also edited it, so check it out again.

    Color scheme...well you got quite a bit to choose from man. cyclops Personally I like the darker "wallnut" like pre-shaded polyurethanes(Poly-shade?) from Minwax.
    You just sand the workpiece as smooth as possible (high grits 320 and up), wipe it clean with some tack cloth and spray it. It acts as a stain/sealer in one, then let dry and sand again with high grit it to smooth out the raised grain (hate that prickly stuff and it comes up no matter what), wipe it down and spray again either with high gloss or matte clear poly...or again with the same stuff.

    That's that, but you can also go a more trad route of staining, then applying clear poly/lacquer...or you can do an oil finish (that takes a while and some skill)...these things take some research to do properly. My suggestion stands - just spray it with some poly...Semi gloss looks good and doesn't have the overly distracting shine that H-Gloss does...so that's my bit for keeping the Jester details on top. Smile

    Check your PM, there's some stuff you might want to double check in the process.

    Good Luck!

    Ivo

    PS:
    Spoiler:

    PPS:
    Spoiler:
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    Post by AboMickey Thu May 03, 2012 9:13 pm

    Well it's starting to look like a crossbow.cheers

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0411

    Solved the problem I was having with the screws being in the way. Just screwed down two plates over the places where the old scres went

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0412

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0413

    Routered out the butt to give it some sex appeal tongue

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0414

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0415

    I had it all put together and gave it its first test fire and disaster happened, the string went over the bolt and caused a dry-fire. the string Ivo sent me exploded on one end and sent the tips flying. My buddy who was watching found it amusing. I found one of the tips but lost the other, it's okay though cause I have more.

    The problem is that the trigger mech sits slightly higher than than the groove so the arrow wasn't completly seated against the string. the string in the pictures is an old one I had laying around. I put on a way lighter prod and was able to easily load and shoot to narrow down the problem.

    I'll get back to it tommorrow, I got midnight tickets to the Avengers so I gotta go pre-funk.Harlequin Crossbow 524936
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    Post by Ivo Fri May 04, 2012 3:30 am

    Yeh dude, that sucks. Got any closeups of the trigger and broken string?

    Anyway...

    A few things you really gotta do here...

    1. You really have to have the trig seated tight in there and have everything square with the stock and groove. Think it's not too late to pull those screws out, repair the holes and re-mount it. You can glue in a few dowels where the holes are and re-drill everything. I've been repairing loose or improperly mounted door hinges like that for years.

    How I saw mounting this trig was with four screws or rivets - two on each side.
    Drilling through the stock and the trigger in one go, then putting a pin through the stock and trigger(to keep it anchored) and drilling the next. Then pop in screws/rivets/whatever...

    2. Chamfer the edges of the arrow track.

    It looks like the arrow track may be too wide near the trig and causes some stress/leverage in the string, possibly even causing it to rise (my guess, but seems logical).

    Harlequin Crossbow String11

    you can just use a regular file to do it, plot two lines, one on the track (about 1/4" from the edge) and one on the side of the stock (also 1/4" from the edge)...then just file off the material from line to line.

    Harlequin Crossbow Chanfe10

    ... just Google "chamfer" images...or look
    through my Red Oak Bow build for an example of that stuff in a crossbow.

    This should relieve the leverage and also reduce string friction against the track, thus also extending the life of the string.

    ______________________________________________

    But overall, looks damn good! Very Happy Guys at EA are probably buggin right about now. tongue Harlequin Crossbow 524936

    How was the trigger pull with the 150 prod? How bad was the creep in the trigger if any?

    Also that string you have is way too short...was mine like that too? Shocked If you want another two color string (still going for the harlequin thing I hope) I can make one and send it out to ya no prob. Smile And if you remember, you have to squeeze a few dabs of silicone caulk into the tips to keep them from snapping/flying off.

    All in all, good stuff dude! Glad to see you keeping your cool even with the nasty mishap on hands. Harlequin Crossbow 951629

    Best of Luck!

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    Post by stoneagebowyer Fri May 04, 2012 3:38 pm

    Very impressive work all the way around. My only comment is regarding a color scheme....probably not something you have considered or want to, but how about decorating the stock like a harlequen? You know, bright colored checks or diamonds, or maybe black and white? Smile
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    Post by AboMickey Fri May 04, 2012 4:20 pm

    I am trying to decide on a color scheme. I was thinking of staining the main part of the body a deep purple. and then panting the routered out bits neon green. I don't want it to look like a Barney crossbow though so I gotta be carefull.
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    Post by stoneagebowyer Fri May 04, 2012 5:23 pm

    Would you mind shooting Barney through the heart with it?
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    Post by AboMickey Fri May 04, 2012 6:15 pm

    hahaha, I could do some dinosaur hunting. Harlequin Crossbow 912519

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    Post by ferdinand Fri May 04, 2012 10:55 pm

    AboMickey wrote:hahaha, I could do some dinosaur hunting. Harlequin Crossbow 912519

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    And then u can use his teeth to make a nice checkered inlay.
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    Post by Guest Mon May 21, 2012 12:00 pm

    Harlequin Crossbow 130643Harlequin Crossbow 130643Harlequin Crossbow 130643



    Harlequin Crossbow 130643Harlequin Crossbow 130643Harlequin Crossbow 130643
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    Post by AboMickey Wed May 23, 2012 10:56 pm

    Well, It's been a while but after a long hiatus I'm back in action! today I Fiddled with the trigger and got it working smoothly.

    I also made the big scary leap and colored it.

    Putting the finishing touches on it and it should be done tomorrow.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0416

    I mixed some red mahogany wood stain and some purple ink and came out with this deep dark eggplatish shade. I really like it.

    Harlequin Crossbow Imag0417

    The picture really dosn't do it justice at all. once it's done I'll get some good pictures outside in the sunshine.

    That's all for now. It shoots wonderfully I just gotta get or make some decent bolts, the one I'm currently using has hardly any flights and is all crooked and bent up.

    Then I'll make the video....
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    Post by JoergS Wed May 23, 2012 11:07 pm

    Great job, man. This looks better than any commercial crossbow I have seen!
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    Post by Ivo Fri May 25, 2012 3:14 pm

    I have a feeling this crossbow is worth it's weight in Gold. Technically this if our forum's first collaborative build....not as easy as with other similar things, but it seems we almost proved it possible.

    Really enjoying watching this build happen, man(...man, man, man...I really gotta stop saying it...,but you're the man. Laughing ). I bet you're just happy it's coming to an end...probably the longest, most demanding build you've done so far. Very Happy


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    Post by AboMickey Sat May 26, 2012 3:28 pm

    Drum roll please...

    Ta-Da! It's complete.

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2110

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2111

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2112

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2113

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2114

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2115

    Harlequin Crossbow Img_2116

    And there he sits on his little throne. Surrounded by blood, sweat, tears and a lot of foul words.

    I'd make a shooting vid but I'd be late for work. Hopefully I'll get it done tomorrow or on Monday. That'll give you guys some time to oooh and aww at the pictures.

    Plop plop fizz fizz...
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    Post by Regerald Sat May 26, 2012 5:18 pm

    Oooh.. Aww.. Very Happy Very Happy
    Nice job! Smile And nice colour. My daughter "ordered" a crossbow which have to be purple, so, if you might, I'll steal from you an idea of adding ink into the stain. Smile What king of ink did you use? Can I also ask how you made a trigger mech?
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    Post by chaz Sat May 26, 2012 6:24 pm

    Abo nice job...............great job on covering the prod ,,,,,,,,, is that leather? And did you make a kind of tight fitting sock and slip it on? The lacing (or stitching) looks great as well ! By the way did you ever do anything with a cue ball as far as a nut?

    Bravo nice build !

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    Post by AboMickey Sat May 26, 2012 7:30 pm

    Thanks Regerald,

    The coloring process was scary to say the least, I tried different things with inks and paints and finally tried mixing stain and ink together. It wenton more like a paint than a stain and when I tried to wipe it off it looked terrible. So I quickly coated the whole thing and let it dry in the sun and it turned out great. Deep purple, which is exactly what I had in mind.

    The ink is this stuff..

    http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Ph-Martin-27s-Bombay-violet/dp/B0026I6RO2

    the stain is just Minwax red mahogany

    The trigger mech was a gift/test project from Ivo himself.

    Thanks chaz

    It is leather and was surprisingly easy to do, just cut leather to fit tight around the prod then punch small holes all along the sides of the strip then just run a needle with some thick wax covered string through the holes and your on your way to a leather wrapped product.

    As for the pool ball nut, my grandpa has old pool balls that he says I can help myself to but I keep forgeting to grab everytime I'm with him, derp.

    I'm working for him tuesday So I'll try to remember to grab one then.
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    Post by JoergS Sun May 27, 2012 12:12 am

    Congratulations to the completion of an amazing, exciting and totally unique masterpiece. I am blown away.

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