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

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    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas.

    whiteraven
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    Post by whiteraven Sat May 19, 2012 2:44 pm

    First topic message reminder :

    Hi everyone. I'm Ryan from Arizona. I always liked crossbows, until a friend gave me a cheap little pistol one... now I'm really curious into making my own.

    I was wondering if anyone has used an animal spine as a base for a crossbow? I want to get a unique and kinda creepy look and I happen to have one lying in my supplies.

    Anyone got any cool ideas to add?
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    Post by whiteraven Fri May 25, 2012 2:02 pm

    Am I making a bad choice?
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    Post by Ivo Fri May 25, 2012 2:40 pm

    Sorry, no...not at all.

    It's actually wicked....come to think of it Very Happy

    I'm just biased...no matter how hard I try to just flow with the variety of tastes, I keep coming back to my cursed way of thinking >>> gotta make it compact, gotta make it compact and powerful...and so on and so forth till I need a reset. Laughing

    Did you have any trouble understanding the bit about switching the system to extension spring? I kinda feel like I might have went a bit overboard with the explanation...not all are born poets so to speak. Embarassed Laughing

    Ivo

    PS: Personally, I'm looking forward to see how this project turns out, no matter what systems you choose or how long the draw will be. It's all about having fun building a shooter and busting some holes in things, right? Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 825761
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    Post by whiteraven Fri May 25, 2012 4:10 pm

    Yeah, you explanation was great. Really helps.

    Ivo, you should take a look through my other photo albums on Facebook, see some of what I've done in the past.
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    Post by whiteraven Sat May 26, 2012 4:03 pm

    Ok, did a slight redraw of the bow design. Let me know if it makes any sense.

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Short_10
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    Post by Ivo Sun May 27, 2012 7:40 am

    Looks great...one unnecessary bit that can be removed (I hear you, you can really get lost in all those rollers)...I'll finish up the model I'm working on real quick and post my thoughts.

    Also, there is a discussoi coming up on the trigger you chose, so stay tuned. Smile

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    Post by whiteraven Sun May 27, 2012 11:17 am

    This is what I was thinking as far as the tension on the bow. The red is the main drive tension, including the gates springs and I think I'll use the surgical rubber tubing?
    The blue is the propulsion drive, that transfers the kinetic power to the bolt upon firing.

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Short_12
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    Post by whiteraven Sun May 27, 2012 3:02 pm

    And here's an idea on how I will do the "tickler" (I think that's the right term.)

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Arbale10

    Yes, it's sculpted to resemble an octopus arm. Very Happy
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    Post by whiteraven Sun May 27, 2012 5:08 pm

    And I doodled a little more on the Trident portion of the design.

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    Post by Ivo Mon May 28, 2012 7:58 pm



    After doing the staff version...I just couldn't leave it at that and made a bull-pup version as well (the regular version is in the patent).

    Didn't add the strings and the spring dimensions/position is not important ,as everyone will be using whatever they can get their hands on...same with the axels/fasteners/connections. (also the draw length I just guessed...what would be the fun in making an accurate blueprint, right? Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 204712 )

    As you can see, the 3d view shows a pretty bulky front end that will make this thing look like gravity hammer (from halo Smile ) if made like a staff...also, at teh moment Ican't imagine how one would span a staff based crossbow, but I might just be lacking imagination. tongue

    Program needed to view the model is Sketchup.

    http://sketchup.google.com/download/

    Enjoy.

    PS: I'm no perfection, everyone welcome to chip in on the model if I missed something or made a mistake...I plan to edit/improve it in time.


    Last edited by Ivo on Tue May 29, 2012 4:31 pm; edited 1 time in total
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    Post by whiteraven Mon May 28, 2012 8:54 pm

    Got a bigger picture of the staff version?
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    Post by Ivo Mon May 28, 2012 9:06 pm

    Got something better. cyclops

    If you click the picture, it leads to the 3d warehouse where you can download the model. That's why I posted the link to the software download page for Sketchup...really nice little app and easy to use. Literally, it takes 15-20 minutes to learn the basics witch the conveniently prepared tutorial videos found here...

    VVV

    http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos.html

    Check it out. Smile
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    Post by whiteraven Mon May 28, 2012 11:27 pm

    Could this still work?
    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Mech_b10
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    Post by Ivo Tue May 29, 2012 4:26 pm

    It might...

    I just made a sketch, the actual build will differ. Build the prod assembly and see what dimensions you get out of it.

    Think best way to slim it down is use a smaller spring, or rubber....that way you can slim the gap quite a bit.

    Personally, I wouldn't remove the bottom section of the gap, but again if there is enough material provided at the top, then you might be able to get away with it. Smile

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    Post by whiteraven Tue May 29, 2012 5:08 pm

    So I went shopping at my local ReStore (habitat for Humanity store, like Goodwill for Home Depot).

    Got 6 1 1/2" nylon center grooved rollers, with steel center bearings.
    Some heavy duty hooks for Draw hooks.
    Some triangle brackets I "thought" would work, still good for something.
    And 2 knurled edge knobs I liked.

    Now to cut my test arms out of a more solid material then foam-core and try them out.
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    Post by jeep Wed May 30, 2012 2:05 am

    Some time ago I do a mock-up of this system it is not bulky at all if as Ivo sugest the bull pup design is used.I personaly prefer this modern design for a modern mecanic then a weird crossing between un "allien and a medieval " but of cource it is a question of taste...The measurement in the picture are in cm (1"= 2,54cm)


    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Img_0112
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    Post by jeep Wed May 30, 2012 2:27 am

    I omit to put the pulley is only for demo

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Img_0113
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    Post by jeep Wed May 30, 2012 3:46 am

    This is the push version (more secure)

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Img_0114
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    Post by jeep Wed May 30, 2012 4:30 am

    some measurements. Allonge mean: draw length. I omit the string . Good luck !!

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Van_ho10
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    Post by whiteraven Wed May 30, 2012 3:53 pm

    Thanks for the help.

    I'm currently trying to decide what to use as the center of the whole thing, either a 1"x1" square tube or something else.

    Guess I'll figure it out.
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    Post by whiteraven Thu May 31, 2012 1:18 pm

    Updated my design drawing a bit more, thanks to some helpful suggestions by Ivo.

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Mech_b11

    So now I think I can start building it. Smile
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    Post by whiteraven Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:03 pm

    Doodled around with some designs on my bow arm.

    Mechanical Steampunk crossbow ideas. - Page 2 Mech_b12

    Preview of things to come.
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    Post by stoneagebowyer Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:08 pm

    Perhaps design a dirigible to mount this on? Or make the weapon an anti-dirigible crossbow.
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    Post by whiteraven Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:11 pm

    It is considered to be a "boarding device" as i will eventually fire a folding grappling device.

    I think getting it structurally sound and functioning is the first goal though. Details comes afterwards. Smile
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    Post by chaz Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:06 pm

    Hey, Whiteraven

    Post pictures of the assorted materials you intend to use as you start your build. After all the discussion I've been watching it will sure be interesting to see what you start with and how it develops into this wild spine tickler crossbow. As I start my first build I doubt it will be so creative, however I'll try and photo document it and if not too embarrassed by the end result there will be an attenpt to post it. I'll be watching your build with great anticipation you seem to be approaching it with great daring! Everyone seems very interested. GO MAN

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    Post by chaz Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:25 am

    Whiteraven,

    A great source for pulleys and various pins, allen head bolts, self locking nuts, and tubing extrusions is old exercize equipment such as an old Nordic Track and others, sometimes as expensive as free!

    Chaz

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