The Arbalist Guild

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

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

Latest topics

» prod angle, and lever trigger for sale anyone?
by stuckinthemud1 Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:54 am

» flexible string
by jasper1978 Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:25 am

» [solved]Skane/Lillohus crossbow thread
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:44 am

» jens sensfelder
by jasper1978 Wed Mar 08, 2023 11:58 pm

» 400lb Windlass crossbow bolts weight and accuracy shooting high.
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:53 pm

» Codex Löffelholz crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:14 pm

» Digitar prodsc
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Jan 15, 2023 2:42 pm

» Troubleshooting
by Andy. Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:29 pm

» Arab Crossbow
by kenh Thu Jan 05, 2023 8:39 pm

» Wood Prods
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 12:47 pm

» Colletiere a Charavines crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:54 am

» Simplified Löffelhotz speedloader
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:05 pm

» Fiberglass H-bows
by c sitas Sat Nov 12, 2022 8:44 am

» Bad Antler
by drawknife Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:48 am

» Anyone make their own bolts?
by Juniper Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:20 am

» Josef alm in English
by Juniper Sat Oct 15, 2022 4:22 am

» Qin/Han lock drawings
by kenh Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:16 pm

» stirrup dimensions?
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:49 pm

» Skane/Lillohus lockbow information needed
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:23 am

» need help contacting le musee Dauphinois Grenoble
by stuckinthemud1 Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:22 pm

» Low Draw Weight Build
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Aug 12, 2022 3:09 pm

» Trigger testing Rig/Jig?
by ora8i Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:13 pm

» best type of horn to use..
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Jun 24, 2022 6:13 am

» Han Dynasty Chinese Crossbow
by hullutiedemies Fri Jun 17, 2022 1:00 pm

» Drawing of Crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Jun 03, 2022 3:01 am


3 posters

    Bolt Rest or Groove?

    backgardenbowyer
    backgardenbowyer
    backgardenbowyer
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 27
    Join date : 2013-01-13
    Location : London
    • Post n°1

    Bolt Rest or Groove? Empty Bolt Rest or Groove?

    Post by backgardenbowyer Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:38 am

    My first rolling nut crossbow build is progressing steadily. As I've not done this before I'm kind of making the design and solving the problems to fit with my repertoire of skills and tools as I go along. I will shortly have to decide whether I go for a bolt rest or a groove. This isn't a replica, just a bow based on the medieval style and technology so historical accuracy isn't an issue. I'm thinking that if I cut a rest from a scrap of ipe (very hard and oily wood which I will also use for wedges) and put this in a dovetail across my oak tiller it should be less work than cutting a groove and easier to get centred and straight with a bit of adjustment available for tuning.

    Any thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of the two styles?

    Thanks

    Stan
    • Back to top
    Todd the archer
    Todd the archer
    Todd the archer
    Crossbow Junkie

    I live here!


    Crossbow JunkieI live here!


    Posts : 581
    Join date : 2010-02-25
    Age : 60
    Location : sellersville,pa.
    • Post n°2

    Bolt Rest or Groove? Empty Re: Bolt Rest or Groove?

    Post by Todd the archer Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:33 pm

    On my own crossbows I feel it is better to go with the groove as it puts the bolt in better line with the center of the string especially with modern strings being much thinner than those on original medieval crossbows where the strings were as fat as the bolts.

    Todd
    • Back to top
    8fingers
    avatar
    8fingers
    Workshop Savvy

    Did you see my tool collection?


    Workshop SavvyDid you see my tool collection?


    Posts : 200
    Join date : 2011-04-06
    Location : Chetwynd, BC, Canada
    • Post n°3

    Bolt Rest or Groove? Empty Re: Bolt Rest or Groove?

    Post by 8fingers Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:31 am

    If you make yourself a scratch stock which is a very simple router plane you can make from scrap, you can scrape a groove down the center of your stock fairly simply. By working the groove with the guide arm of the scratch stock on alternating sides of your stock you should have a perfectly centered groove.
    Scratch stock is 2 "L" shaped wood pieces with a steel cutter sandwiched between them. About 4 screws and a broken jig saw blade filed to shape is all the hardware you need. Some people put a chamfer on the guide arm side
    • Back to top
    Sponsored content

    Sponsored content


    • Post n°4

    Bolt Rest or Groove? Empty Re: Bolt Rest or Groove?

    Post by Sponsored content

    • Back to top

      Current date/time is Thu Mar 23, 2023 11:26 pm