Tickler on low budget

Hey folks,

I've been trying to work out how to build the tickler for my current project (https://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t913p15-hi-from-the-uk#8610), but I'm somewhat limited in funds and equipment.

I can buy flat, round or bar stock easily enough, I've got a bench grinder, files, clamps, hacksaw, dremel, hammers etc. and a -small- butane torch, as well as other assorted hand-tools I haven't thought to mention here. I don't have access to a forge or hotter torch (but can't help wondering if our gas fireplace will get a piece of 7mm square rod hot enough...).

I've tried heating and bending 7mm square steel stock with my torch and pliers, but the torch is unable to heat the metal sufficiently. People also seem to use at least 12mm stock for their ticklers usually, so 7mm might not even be enough.

I don't mind using a different material for the tickler so long as it's strong enough and looks good (this bow is only going to be 30lbs for roleplay after all), but no obvious choice springs to mind.

Ideas and advice would be appreciated.

Bending 12 mm square cold should be no problem at all, but if you go buy yourself a bag of charcoal (not the briquette crap) and then find something fireproof thats aprox, 20x20 cm with a hole in the middle you can make yourself a primitive forge. use a hair dryer for air and you are good to go.

Take a small triangular file and notch the steel where you want to make the bends. It's very accurate and makes for easier, cleaner bends.


CEN

Regeis - I'm a beginner on a low budget like you. I roughed out a tickler yesterday in 10mm square mild steel. I drilled a hole in a lump of old 6" x 3" softwood, pushed the short end of the bar through and used the long end as a lever. Bent without any strain. I don't think you can get a very tight bend like this but working the steel cold I din't want to force it into a tight radius. The proportions of the tickler seem to be fine.

That sounds good; I've got some chunks of softwood 2x4 lying around... how did you make the second bend? Did you feed the long end through the 'back' end of the hole? Did the softwood deform during the bending process? I'd appreciate some pictures of the result =]

Thanks!

If u use a adjustable wrench( we just call them a Bahco after the brand name) u can bend the square bar easy without damaging because they have no 'teeth'.
making aluminium plates for a vice will allow u to get good grip without damage and u can bend and tighten the bend by hammering with a hammer and a aluminium block in between.

Regies,

Yes the second bend was a bit more tricky, I just pushed the short end of the first bend right through the hall then put one end of the wood on a stone step, the other end on the floor to provide some clearance. That way the there is about two inches of steel inside the block - about the right distance between the two bends, and the long end of the steel is towards you. Yes the soft wood did deform but not so much that you couldn't get the bend. I cant work out how to post pics here but might put something elsewhere on the web and give a link. It would be useful to me to be able to receive comment from the old hands as the build progresses. I'm a complete beginner at crossbows - all I can say is that this seemed to work for me,