Shooting from a homemade crossbow. DIY long-range crossbow (102 photos)
Shooting, as a form of sport and an ability for self-realization, has enjoyed success among people for a long time. An indication of this is the countless competitions using various types of weapons. One of the oldest types is throwing weapons. The heightened emotionality of these days resonates in archery and crossbow tournaments.
Sports crossbow shooting in our country is not as developed as bow shooting. This state of affairs is not due to a lack of interest, but to an obvious shortage of shooting equipment. Crossbow sport itself certainly contains many advantages. Today we suggest making a crossbow with your own hands. It will be a wide field for the discovery and application of certain types of talents.
DIY crossbow made of wood
As a way out, you should make a crossbow with your own hands. This is not as problematic as it might seem at first glance. The design of the crossbow is light. In sections of bullet or bow shooting, there are weapons workshops where it is easy to find professional craftsmen. Such a specialist has the right to make a crossbow from whatever he has on hand, replacing missing building materials with identical ones. A homemade crossbow is sufficient for target shooting.
We drew a drawing of a crossbow and assembled it with our own hands. When creating the crossbow, the developments of foreign manufacturers and fellow athletes who themselves make crossbows without the help of specialized companies were taken into account.
Our crossbow differs in that we chose bow limbs as the elastic component. This selection is justified by the lighter weight, in contrast to steel shoulders. Plastic shoulders also even out physical contact from powerful recoil. To gain the ability to shoot accurately at distances of up to 60 meters, all you need to do is tighten these arms without applying much force. The ability to use limbs from broken bows is another positive feature of our device. The main thing is to find a pair based on strength. We advise you to carefully study the crossbow drawings and begin assembly. To create a crossbow is not to cross the field. Read on to learn how to make a crossbow with your own hands.
Crossbow device: stock, shoulders, trigger mechanism, sighting devices.
To create the bed, real wood is used, solid or glued, mostly hardwood. Approximate dimensions can be seen in the pictures. (1 and 3)- crossbow drawing. We choose the shape of the hands ourselves, guided by the convenience and ergonomics of the stock and the desired image. When choosing, you must also take into account the possibility of correct manufacturing.
Using a small arms stock makes it possible to significantly reduce energy costs for making a crossbow. The trace of the trunk left in such a stock must be hammered in with wooden blocks, firmly seated with epoxy glue.
The processing of the arrow guides and bowstring deserves special attention. Their finishing is quite dependent on the accuracy of the hit. The guide lines must be immaculately straight and smooth. The desired option is grinding on a milling machine and subsequent processing with fine-grain sandpaper. Then the guides need to be polished. It is possible to study the proportions of the guide groove for an arrow with a diameter of 8 mm at rice. 3. The crosspiece, with the shoulders attached to it, is mounted at the end of the stock. As a rule, it is cast from an aluminum alloy, but it is also possible to create it from an aluminum blank. Wood can also serve as a suitable material.
The window from which the crossbow arrow will fly must be located opposite the groove that guides it. This is exactly how the window must be located on the bed of the cross containing elastic elements. In this case, at the moment of departure, the bowstring can be pressed against the smooth plane of the stock. Each arm is attached to the crosspiece using 2 M8 screws. The mechanism for triggering the trigger device was created in accordance with the description of the design of crossbows of the Middle Ages. It can be done without any special problems even with an average level of illumination in the workshop.
DIY crossbow trigger mechanism
How this mechanism is structured and works becomes clear from Figure 4- DIY crossbow diagram.When the bowstring 1 is cocked, it is engaged with the protrusion a of the lever 2. When the lever rotates, it holds the trigger 3. When the hook is pressed, at the same time the lever is released, at this moment the bowstring, straightening, sends an arrow. The stop 4 is limited during the movement of the lever. In order to soften the impact force on the stop, it is necessary to put a rubber tube on it. The stop must be in a position in which the extreme position of the protrusion a of the lever is lower than the guide surface of the stock. This prevents the string from sliding. After the shot is fired, spring 5 holds the lever in its extreme position.
In the process of pulling the crossbow, the bowstring is focused on protrusion 6, lever 2 takes its original position. Spring 6 acts on the trigger so that it rotates, the lever and the bowstring are fixed. To prevent the string from accidentally jumping off protrusion a, the release mechanism is closed with a cover 7. A flat-type spring 8 is attached to this cover, which holds the arrow on the guides while aiming the sight. Bearing 9, which is attached to the tip of the trigger, sufficiently weakens the force of the trigger. The level of trigger force is selected by sawing the surface resting on the lever bearing 2. In order to reduce the weight of the lever, it is better to make it from light alloy D16T. Safety pins can serve as a replacement for springs 5 and 6. The trigger mechanism can be mounted in a metal housing, after which it is inserted into the stock socket and secured with two screws. In this way, reliability and ease of adjustment can be significantly increased. But this method makes the design more complex, and metal-cutting machines will also be needed to implement it.
The sighting device of a crossbow consists of a rear sight and a front sight. Vertical adjustments are made entirely, mounted on the cover of the trigger mechanism, and horizontal ones - by a front sight mounted on the bracket of the elastic element.
There can be many design options for these devices, depending on the possibility of manufacturing, the availability of ready-made sights for sports bullet weapons, etc.
It should be borne in mind that the flight path of a crossbow arrow is quite high, so the rear sight must be installed significantly higher than the front sight. Angle of elevation of the aiming line ( cm. Figure 1 - crossbow drawings) depends on the weight of the arrow, the tension of the bowstring, the shooting distance, etc. In our crossbow at a distance of 50 m it is approximately 6°.
The design of the crossbow rear sight is convenient, allowing it to be removed or folded during transportation.
Our homemade crossbow, the manufacture of which is described above, is designed to shoot crossbow arrows with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 350 mm. Arrows for a crossbow can be easily made from a duralumin (D16T alloy) tube with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm. The arrow is equipped with a tip and fletching in the same way as is done for archery. It should be borne in mind that the shank of an arrow for a crossbow, unlike an arrow for a bow, should not have a cutout for the bowstring. It is convenient to carve it out of wood in the form of a cork and insert it into the end of the tube using glue.
In conclusion, I would like to express the hope that you understand how to make a crossbow; making it yourself will give you a lot of pleasure, and shooting from it will give you the opportunity to have a good time in the fresh air. Just do not forget that a crossbow, like any weapon, requires a responsible attitude and compliance with all safety measures when shooting. And the amount of pleasure directly depends on how the crossbow is made.
Crossbow Arrows (Bolt)
The striking element of a crossbow is considered to be a bolt. It has even greater stopping power than an arrow. Even Kevlar vests lose their effectiveness against this seemingly simple medieval weapon. That is why you should not forget to follow safety rules when shooting from a crossbow. Even though the article is about something else, it is very appropriate to remind you of the rules. In most cases, a bolt wound is fatal. Even the sight of a bolt protruding from the body can cause the death of a victim.
To make the bolt, a durable material is used, which is characterized by sufficient elasticity and low weight. The bolt is also made from straight-grained wood, that is, from suitable blanks. A prerequisite for the flexibility of the boom is the longitudinal arrangement of the layers of wood. In order for there to be small mechanization, you need to use, for example, an electric drill. The bolt must have a perfect shape.
The center of gravity is between the second and first thirds of the bolt. And this, mind you, is already assembled. True, the parameter can be changed at your personal discretion. Also, due to the different materials used for the shaft, the sizes and materials of the toes and tips, the weight of the bolt can be changed.
To protect wooden shafts of bolts from moisture, they are impregnated with special protective compounds and also stored in a horizontal position.
The best bolts are made from broken telescopic fishing rods (from their sections) made of fiberglass. They weigh relatively little and at the same time are very durable, and they are also not afraid of dampness.
To shoot from a crossbow, you can use fairly heavy arrows, even welding electrodes. That is why clearly defining the optimal bolt is a serious matter. In the process of selecting the required mass of bolts for your crossbow, it is worth remembering the golden mean: if the bolt is heavy, it does not fly far, but if it is light, it loses speed quite quickly.
If the bowstring is of high quality and you take good care of it, you will use it for a long time. As a rule, steel is used for the bowstring (strings or cables) or weaved from silk. True, nowadays there are a huge number of synthetic materials. If you make a bowstring from Kevlar, it is used as a material with high tensile strength (specific resistance).
In powerful crossbows they use a thin steel cable, which serves as a bowstring. You can find this in both cars and motorcycles. Breaking loads are most easily borne by a braided bowstring. This happens due to the fact that a particle of energy goes into friction between synthetic threads. In order to protect the bowstring from abrasion on the stock, use special linings made of plastic or metal.
DIY crossbow drawings
Follow the download link to create a crossbow.DIY compound crossbow
Sports crossbow shooting in our country is not as developed as bow shooting. This state of affairs is not due to a lack of interest, but to a banal shortage of small arms equipment. Crossbow sport itself undoubtedly has a lot of advantages. It is a vast field for the discovery and application of a certain kind of talent.
Technical characteristics of a homemade compound crossbow:
Overall length -730 mm;
Overall width - 530 mm;
Shoulder length -300 mm;
Height without sight - 180 mm;
Height with sight - 230 mm;
Weight ~3kg;
Cocking force ~30 kg;
Bowstring stroke - 210 mm;
Sight type - optical only (installed software 3.5x17.5, dovetail mounting brackets).
The material of the shoulders was a spring from a 412 “Muscovite”, cut with a grinder, constantly poured water on it to avoid tempering, simply burned the holes with electric arc welding (the edges didn’t seem to come loose);
The trigger force varies from approximately 1 to 1.8 kg, the trigger operates with a warning, and an increase in force is felt before the shot. Shooting performance (shooting was carried out lying down from a rest indoors at a distance of 25 m in three series of 5 shots, fiberglass arrows, weight 25g, length 300 mm. Triple tail height 8 mm):
- maximum radius from the midpoint of impact is 75 mm.
- maximum diameter between extreme hits is 120 mm.
- the average radius of a 100% hit in three series is 68 mm.
The trigger mechanism “rotary nut with sear”, made from spring scraps, was first annealed (t0 = 8500C red heat, held for 10 minutes and slowly cooled with a furnace) and carried out all metalworking, but left an allowance for processing in the places where it will occur friction, then hardened to approximately 45-46 HRC, (t0=8300C light cherry red heat, holding for 10 minutes) and tempering (t0=2950C bright blue tarnish, air cooling). Then I polished all the rubbing surfaces. The mechanism itself is installed directly into the guide on pins. The springs are made from a folding metal meter.
The stock was cut from solid wood (oak), the base was a 30x180 board, the groove in the center was selected using a jigsaw, a drill and a narrow chisel, the treatment was first done with 10% ferric chloride (gives it a black color), and then varnished, but I don’t like this coating I liked it, it was too slippery in wet or sweaty hands.
I had to sand everything and treat it with a special impregnation (I used Danish Oil, which is used specifically for impregnating wood on knife handles), applied the coating several times until it stopped being absorbed, and then sanded the holding areas with fine sandpaper (~500-100 grit for imported paper).
The size of the butt is adjusted to me personally, so if you repeat it, do it with a margin, and then adjust it. The guide is assembled like a package of duralumin/getinax/duralumin/getinax/duralumin, on M3x35 screws, the central plate comes out from the bottom for fastening with the butt, assembled on M6x30 furniture bolts with a semicircular head, on the opposite side it is attached with nuts (the holes for the nuts on the butt are hexagonal, I burned them out attached to a long rod with several nuts).
The material for the guide was a 30x4 duralumin strip; 8 mm of getinax was taken from the instrument panel of the electrical cabinet. The guide drawing is made with a margin, because during manufacturing, the stroke of the string may differ, so it is first necessary to assemble the bow and measure the stroke of the string, and then drill holes for attaching the deck. The deck is argon welded from an aluminum plate 50x5 (bus from a transformer) and duralumin corners 40x20x4, secured to the guide with two M6x40 bolts .
Fastening the shoulders to the deck through spacers (this is necessary because the shoulders have an initial bend, and the deck is straight) and pressure plates with three M6x25 “furniture” bolts (for one shoulder); The earrings for the blocks are made of steel, like the blocks themselves, the weight of one block is ~65 g, if you make the same ones from aluminum alloys, the weight will be reduced to 25 g, I tried to make blocks by casting them in a sand-clay mold, it generally worked, but they were quickly cut by the cable.
The material was technically pure 99% aluminum, and it was not possible to age the material, so I’m content with steel, and I’m thinking about where to get a duralumin blank of a suitable size (or maybe I’ll try using epoxy plastics). The diameter of the blocks is 46 mm, the eccentricity is 11 mm. The bowstring is made of 3 mm steel rope. in a PVC shell, in places of contact with surfaces, additional layers of heat-shrinkable tubing are put on; I use loops to seal the ends and crimp them in the tube, like a clutch on a motorcycle, and the use of studs is necessary both for initial tension and for subsequent tightening during operation.
The string is attached to the blocks through a pin that is inserted into the central hole, and opposite the hole with a dimer of 8 mm, which is opposite the hole through which the axis of rotation of the block passes, under two holes with a diameter of 3 mm are drilled in the groove of the block through which the cable enters the block and wraps around the pin. The string enters the blocks through holes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the block, and the loops at the ends are placed on the pin, one loop on the upper part, and the other on the lower part of the pin. It was through these holes that my aluminum blocks were cut.
The stirrup is a fabric belt that is draped around the deck, although a steel one can be attached to the deck, and by making it swivel, it can be used as a bipod when shooting prone or from a rest.
When tensioning, I use a device consisting of a pair of blocks and a rope, when I cock it, the rope is thrown over the butt, and I attach a bowstring to the clips of the blocks and pull the ends of the rope, the gain in strength is twofold, which is quite enough for non-tiring shooting, I took the idea from the book by Yu. IN. Shokarev "History of weapons, bows and crossbows."
Video on how to make a crossbow, super powerful
In addition, it will be interesting to shoot from such a weapon yourself. Everything is done quite simply; you can get by with hand tools. The crossbow turned out to be quite powerful, as for target practice. Double limbs are used here, which increases the rigidity of the bow and allows you to throw wooden arrows at high speed. The author uses self-tapping screws as arrowheads, but you can use your imagination and come up with something more interesting.
Materials and tools used
List of materials:
- timber;
- PVC pipe;
- two self-tapping screws;
- strong rope;
- wooden rods for arrows;
- adhesive tape (for feathers).
List of tools:
- hacksaw or pendulum saw;
- jigsaw;
- belt grinder;
- drill;
- marker;
- roulette;
- screwdriver;
- construction hair dryer;
- vice;
- oil for wood processing;
- paint for painting onions (optional).
Crossbow making process:
Step one. Cutting out blanks
First of all, let's cut the wooden beam, it will be used to make the base. We also need to cut the pipe. You should have two parts, long and short. See photos for dimensions.
Step two. Making a bed
We make the bed from a wooden beam. First of all, we will make the necessary markings using a marker. Well, then we cut out the extra parts using a jigsaw; a jigsaw will cope with this task perfectly.
Step three. Let's make a bow
Our bow consists of two parts, which increases its rigidity. Everything is made from PVC pipes that need to be made flat. To do this, we will need a vice with a wooden insert so that there are no marks left on the pipes. We heat the pipe with a hair dryer until it becomes soft, and then squeeze it in a vice. Step by step we heat the areas and compress them. Finally, we form the desired bow profile.
Step four. Bow mount
To attach the bow, look for its center, and then drill two holes, like the author. For fastening we use two self-tapping screws and washers. But don’t fasten the bow tightly yet, it still needs to be modified.
Step five. Finalizing the bow
The essence of the modification is to make grooves at the ends of the arms, to which the bowstring can be tied. We make markings and cut out excess parts using a jigsaw. As for the short arm, you need to make grooves at the ends so that the string does not fly off.
Step six. Installing the bowstring
We use synthetic strong rope as a bowstring. Cut two pieces of the required length and melt the ends using a lighter. Well, then we tie the main string to the ends of the shoulder with a slight tension. As for the additional shoulder, in order to use it, you will need another rope. You can see how everything connects in the photo.
Step seven. Arrangement of the trigger mechanism
The trigger mechanism is of the trigger type. It consists of two parts, one is the trigger, and the second is a part with teeth, one of which holds the bowstring, and the other rests against the trigger. These parts can be cut from plywood using a jigsaw.
Step eight. Making arrows
We make arrows from wooden rods. To stabilize the flight, make feathers for them; the author used adhesive tape for this. Well, you need to install some kind of weight on the end of the arrow; the author put a self-tapping screw there. If desired, you can cut off the head and sharpen the rod.
Despite its age, the crossbow is still able to compete well with some types of weapons. Unlike its ancestor, the bow, this design has an automatic arrow release system, thanks to which the shooter can concentrate on aiming without wasting energy on pulling the bowstring. Given the popularity of this weapon, many craftsmen are interested in how to make a crossbow with their own hands. To do this, you should take into account many nuances, know the design features of a modern crossbow, the types of such weapons, factors influencing the firing range, etc.
Before you make a crossbow with your own hands, you need to understand the features of this weapon. It is also called a crossbow or arrow thrower, which perfectly characterizes the features of its design. In simple terms, this is a bow equipped with a special mechanism for cocking and releasing the bowstring.
There is a full-fledged hammer here - a trigger, through which the shot is fired. Thanks to this innovation, the crossbow is superior to the traditional bow in many respects, namely:
- lethal force;
- shot range;
- shooting accuracy.
However, in most cases, a crossbow is inferior to a bow in terms of rate of fire. To level out this drawback, special shortened arrows or bolts, and sometimes bullets, were used.
When the crossbow was used as a military weapon, there were enlarged prototypes that were installed on special machines. They were called arcbalists. At the moment, crossbows are used mainly in sports and hunting, being compact and easy to use.
Device Features
To make the stock, it is recommended to use wood material: ash, beech, birch, walnut, rosewood and even oak
The main part of the crossbow is the stock into which the arrow is placed. It is combined with the trigger mechanism.
A guide groove for bolts is installed in the upper part of the stock. At the end of the stock there is a stirrup and a cross. Wooden or steel shoulders are fixed to the latter.
The traditional trigger mechanism consists of a lever, a washer with a slot for the arrow shank and a retaining spring. Thus, when the trigger is pressed, the bowstring is released from the hook, transferring energy to the arrow.
At the moment, there are several types of triggers used in crossbows. The most popular of these is the pistol-type design.
What does a crossbow consist of?
Compared to a traditional bow, several elements have been added to the design of the crossbow. This weapon consists of the following parts:
- bed;
- trigger mechanism;
- bowstring
If we are talking about a block crossbow, then its design also involves the presence of blocks - rollers designed to tension the bowstring.
On the left is a classic crossbow, on the right is a block model
Today, there are several types of crossbows. Regarding their purpose, such structures are divided into:
- Sports. The appearance and characteristics of such weapons directly depend on the sporting discipline in which they are used. As a rule, such designs are equipped with special aiming systems and various attachments designed to improve shooting accuracy.
- Hunting. Such crossbows require relative compactness with high power. Therefore, block-type models are most often purchased for hunting.
- Amateur. These are lightweight guns that are designed for target shooting and have relatively little power. Exact copies of antique crossbows are also produced, which, although they are combat prototypes, are most often used to decorate interiors and replenish collections.
Regarding the design, there are:
- Classic models. In this case, energy is accumulated directly in the arcs, after which it is transferred to the bowstring. The operating principle of such crossbows is similar to the simplest bow models.
- Block. This is the most advanced type of this weapon. A special system of blocks in this case contributes to the proper distribution of load between the elements of the system. Thus, the power of such a crossbow increases, and its dimensions decrease.
The design of a block crossbow is particularly complex. Even the banal process of replacing a bowstring in this case requires professional intervention.
Depending on the type of projectile used, crossbows can be:
- Classic. In this case, we are talking about the use of special crossbow arrows or shortened “bolts” that increase the rate of fire of the weapon.
- Schneppers or balestres. A typical projectile in such weapons is a metal ball.
Model manufacturing technology
To make a bow, a car spring is used, and rollers (blocks) are used as a string (cable) fastening system.
Making a crossbow with your own hands will be somewhat more difficult than making a bow. The fundamental difference in this case is the presence of a stock and a trigger mechanism. However, if you have skills in working with hand tools, then you should not have any particular difficulties.
Material selection
Before you make a crossbow from wood, you need to learn how to choose and prepare the material correctly.
Wood has the best properties for making a crossbow. This is an indispensable material for creating a stock and bow, since the wood is easy to process, has good flexibility and is very durable. In addition to wood, various composites and spring metal are used in the manufacture of arches today. However, for DIY production, it will be easiest to use wood.
Of course, something more reliable and wear-resistant should be used for the trigger mechanism. That's why it is made of iron.
If you plan to make a crossbow, the tension force of which does not exceed 20 kg, then it is quite possible to use beech or other hard wood to turn the parts of the trigger mechanism.
To make the body of a crossbow, it is best to use the following types of wood:
- poplar;
- ash;
- maple;
- acacia.
The density of these rocks is quite sufficient to withstand significant loads exerted on the stock and bow of a crossbow. Soft types of wood such as pine and linden are absolutely not suitable for the manufacture of these parts.
Preparation of material
The wooden blank for the crossbow must be dried for a year
Due to the significant loads placed on the elements of the crossbow, it is not surprising that sooner or later they will fail. To prevent this from happening in the near future, it is necessary to use pre-prepared material in the production of the crossbow.
The wood should be collected wet and dried within a year. To make a bow and stock, you must select branches that meet the following characteristics:
- For a one-piece design of a stock with a butt, you should choose a branch at least a meter long. To make arcs, the length of the branch must be at least 180 cm.
- The diameter of the workpieces must be at least 10 cm.
Advice! Before drying the raw materials, the saw cuts should be protected with paint or varnish. Any glue can also be used for this. This approach is necessary so that the wood dries more slowly and more evenly. This will protect the workpiece from the appearance of internal cracks, which will significantly extend the service life of the crossbow.
After protecting the cut points, you need to do the following:
- The workpiece is sent to a dry place, protected from sunlight.
- It is advisable that the raw materials remain here for at least a year.
- Next, you should clean the workpiece from the bark, after which it should be kept in a dry place for another week.
- Now the log can be sawed in half, after drying for about a week.
Making shoulders
The simplest thing is to use ready-made bows for sports shooting
On the workpiece, you should choose the side that is characterized by thinner annual rings. As a rule, this is the northern side, on which the fibers are denser than in other parts. The bow or shoulders are made from this part.
The production of shoulders is carried out as follows:
- First, the middle is outlined, from which you should measure 2 cm in each direction to install the crossbow stock. This part of the bow should have maximum thickness.
- From the middle we begin to gradually cut off excess material, moving towards the edges. The workpiece should be thinned in this way on both sides.
- From time to time it is necessary to check the bending of the bows using a test bowstring. It is a strong rope with many loops. By placing a string on the bow, you can determine the degree of deflection and its uniformity. This way, the places where excess material should be removed are identified. This process continues until the product bends evenly on both sides.
How to handle knots
When preparing material, it is advisable to choose those branches that are as free as possible from knots and other defects. It should be understood that any large knot is a weak point in the structure. However, if you were unable to find a workpiece completely free of defects, it does not matter.
Important! Under no circumstances should you cut off knots before drying the material! Otherwise, the raw material may crack.
The removal of knots must be carried out already in the process of shaping the crossbow's shoulders. A well-sharpened knife is used for this. They should be cut in such a way that a protrusion about 1 mm high remains above the surface of the workpiece. Next, the defect is sanded with sandpaper.
Making a stock
The bed is made to suit you - for maximum comfort
After the arms of the weapon are ready, you should proceed to making the stock. To do this, you must follow these instructions:
- Initially, we select the location of the groove along which the arrow will move during the shooting process. This place must be perfectly level. Any notches or irregularities can disrupt the trajectory of the arrow, dampen some of the inertia, or even make the weapon unusable.
- Typically the gutter is about 30 cm long. It should be carefully hollowed out and sanded.
- Behind the chute it is necessary to cut a recess for the trigger mechanism. In the front part, grooves are created for installing the shoulders.
All wood cutting work should be performed with a special carpenter's knife or chisel.
Trigger
To understand how to make a trigger mechanism for a crossbow, you first need to understand the features of its design.
If you do not plan to make a powerful weapon, but want to create a light and compact crossbow, then the arrow release mechanism can be made of wood. Beech or oak wood is used for this. If we are talking about weapons with a tension force of more than 20 kg, then the parts of this mechanism should be made of metal.
The most primitive trigger mechanism is called a “nut”. Its design is extremely simple. This element is a cylinder and consists of the following elements:
- on one side there is a trigger stop;
- at the opposite end there is a bowstring hook.
Powerful crossbows use an improved trigger system. It provides a light trigger pull under high load conditions.
Crossbow assembly
Advice: don’t worry about making arrows, they are much easier to buy
All that remains is to connect the manufactured elements together. Initially, it is necessary to install the trigger mechanism in the stock. To do this, a seat of a certain size must be machined into it. Next, the shoulders are installed. They can be either a solid arc or two separate elements. They are attached to the base using a special furniture glue, which will ensure reliable adhesion of the elements.
At the last stage, the bowstring is pulled over the shoulders. A strong nylon rope is most often used as a bowstring. It is attached to the ends of the bow, and the crossbow is ready for its first shot.
Making fiberglass arms
If you want to make a really powerful crossbow, then the arms of this design would be best made from fiberglass. Such a bow will not only be stronger, but also more durable than a wooden one. The manufacturing instructions are extremely simple:
- We take Kevlar or fiberglass, cutting it into strips. To make the shoulders for an average crossbow, about 40 strips are required.
- We glue the resulting elements with epoxy resin, tightly connecting them to each other.
- After gluing, it is necessary to place the resulting workpiece under the press. The best option for this are flat boards, between which the shoulders are placed, clamped with clamps.
- The structure hardens in 24 hours, provided that the workpiece is in a warm room.
- After the shoulders have completely hardened, their protruding edges should be trimmed with a knife and sanded with sandpaper.
Epoxy adhesive should be prepared in such a way that the thickener content in it is minimal. Experts advise using no more than 10% thickener.
To make curly arches, you need to make a special mold for the press. It is made from plywood, which bends after pre-soaking.
How to make a mini crossbow?
Shooting from a mini crossbow will be quite interesting, because... sharp bamboo skewers can be used as arrows, capable of piercing even cardboard
To shoot a crossbow, it is not at all necessary to acquire skills in working with wood, purchase the necessary tools and procure raw materials, waiting a year to start work. The current model can be made from ordinary corrugated cardboard. Naturally, such a crossbow will not be suitable for sporting or hunting purposes, but it will be just right for target shooting.
The production of such a prototype involves several stages:
- First we make the shoulders. To do this, you need to cut out several identical blanks from corrugated cardboard, which are fastened together into a single structure. Thus, the necessary rigidity is created, because this part of the crossbow will bear the maximum load.
- Then the trigger and locking mechanism should be cut out of cardboard. They are also made from several layers glued together. To create additional rigidity, it is necessary to strengthen these structures with ice cream sticks.
- The main part of the crossbow is represented by the stock, just like in its combat prototypes. This design consists of two identical parts that are connected to each other by means of jumpers.
- We insert the trigger mechanism inside the stock and glue the main part of the crossbow.
- Now you need to attach the shoulders to the base. This should be done very carefully to avoid distortion, otherwise the accuracy of a shot from such a crossbow will be in question.
- At the last stage it is necessary to tighten the bowstring. For this purpose, stationery rubber bands are used, which are intertwined with each other. The more rubber bands you use, the more powerful your crossbow will be. However, you should not overdo it here - three or four layers will be quite enough.
You can use regular ballpoint pens as arrows for such a crossbow. They are quite heavy for a targeted flight, and the inertia of the rubber band will be more than enough to launch such a projectile.
In this article we will consider the question of how to make a crossbow, using the constructive knowledge of crossbow construction.
To make a reliable crossbow yourself, great hard work and desire are not enough. It is also necessary to have a small knowledge base, material and technical. Of course, you can take a piece of wood and a car spring, and with the tenacity of a maniac, start sharpening, planing, drilling, sawing, focusing approximately on the found images of the crossbow design. But the result may be that the crossbow will be too heavy, inconvenient, and in general the result may not be what you dreamed of and what you wanted.
What to do? First of all, you should determine exactly what kind of crossbow you need to make. After all, there are a large number of types of these throwing weapons and each has its own unusual technical features, which determine completely different techniques for making and using crossbows in practice.
Further, you need to accurately assess your capabilities in terms of equipment, with which you will make crossbow parts with your own hands. And, finally, think carefully about where and what material you need to take to create this or that structure.
Well, let's start by replenishing the knowledge base about crossbows and their types, because without this it is simply impossible to move forward. First, let's look at the general structure of this weapon.
In most cases, any crossbow has the following mechanisms and parts:
- Crossbow guides and stock;
- Shoulders and bow;
- Trigger;
- Tension device;
- Arrows (bolts);
- Bowstring.
Now we need to touch a little on the classification of crossbows. All of them are classified according to certain criteria.
Classification according to shoulder tension level:
- Tension level up to 20 kg. Such crossbows are often used for entertainment and recreation; of course, they are not suitable for any serious tests. The targeted shooting range is not very long (approximately 15-20 meters);
- Tension level 20-55 kg. Such crossbows allow the trigger mechanism to be cocked using muscular force, without any devices. Their sighting range is approximately 60-80 m;
- Tension level is more than 55 kg. Such crossbows are serious weapons that require special cocking devices to tension the bowstring.
Classification according to the type of onion used:
- Monolook. It can be homogeneous, made of steel or fiberglass, or composite using specific types of wood;
- Shoulders + pad. To secure the arms of the bow in this case, a block is used - an intermediate device. Such a crossbow is quite convenient for transportation, because easily understood.
Classification according to the type of shoulders used:
- Block - with the use of rollers and eccentrics, as well as having a main and 2 additional bowstrings;
- Straight - the shoulders in a non-bent position form a straight segment;
- Traditional - S-shaped beam type of bend.
Classification according to the crossbow stock used:
- A traditional screw-type stock with a solid butt, neck and fore-end;
- Stocks of the old type, which are made following the example of medieval crossbows;
- Sports stock with a slot in the butt and a pistol grip.
Classification by tension method:
- Muscular type of tension - has a system of levers, a stirrup, a special hook;
- A goat leg is a single-arm lever;
- Gate - the device has a worm gear and a rack;
- Block tension with multiple rollers.
Now that you have some understanding of how crossbows work, it's time to decide which design is right for you based on your technical capabilities. In other words, make sure you have the ability to use wood and metalworking machines. It is worth believing that with only a drill, a plane and a hacksaw, you are unlikely to be able to make a high-quality crossbow with your own hands. Many parts can only be made by an experienced turner. Even if you have detailed drawings of a crossbow on hand, you will have to use maximum creativity, effort and ingenuity to do everything technically competent and beautiful.
How to make a crossbow for your physical. options
Let's start making a crossbow with our own hands from the stock. First, let's take suitable wood. We need a type of wood that will not chip or warp, and will be sufficiently tough. The following species fully meet these parameters: walnut, birch, ash, beech. Undoubtedly, such a tree can be found in any hardware store in our country, so no problems arise.
For a stock, a board 30 cm thick is quite suitable as a starting material (it is not recommended to take more than that - there is simply no need for it). Now you need to decide on the size of the bed. The figure below shows how to choose its size to suit your own physical parameters.
Where:
A– these are your basic physical dimensions:
L– Distance from the bend of the elbow to the end of the index finger;
B2– width of the chest;
H3– distance from the pupil to the collarbone.
B– bed dimensions:
Lп– the length of the stock, which is measured from the front segment of the trigger to the heel of the butt (about 5-15 mm longer than half the back of the butt);
Lps– length from half the back of the butt to the trigger (distance L);
Lн– the length is false from the toe of the butt to the trigger (+/- 15 mm shorter or longer than the distance to half the back of the butt);
A– the distance in front of the butt from the bend of the stock to the bottom;
O– the distance from the heel of the butt to the bend of the stock to the bottom (dimensions “a” and “o” are made depending on the H3 indicators).
IN– retraction of the bed and change to the side, which depends on the width of the chest (B2):
Op– the distance from the heel of the butt to the outlet of the stock;
He– the distance from the toe part of the butt to the outlet of the stock.
The stock must be measured from the beginning of the trigger to various points that are located on the back of the butt. To adjust the bed to the size of your body, you need to use the picture above. But the average sizes are:
From the heel to the beginning of the trigger – 36-36.5 cm;
From the hook to the butt toe the distance is 36.8-37.2 cm;
To the midpoint, which is located on the occipital plane – 35.6-36 cm, “a” – 4-4.5 cm, “b” – 5.5-6 cm.
Arm length cm |
Stock length up to middle of the back of the head butt, cm |
Pupil height above collarbone, cm |
Vertical bend from the extension of the aiming line to the upper ridge of the butt, mm |
Chest Width between axillary depressions, cm |
Lateral deviation of the butt from the vertical aiming strip, mm | ||
at the neck | at the back of the head | in the heel of the butt of the head | in the toe of the butt of the head | ||||
42 | 38-40 | 23 | 42-44 | 66-70 | 50-52 | 18 | 6 |
41 | 37-39 | 22 | 41-43 | 65-69 | 48-49 | 17 | 5.6 |
40 | 36-38 | 21 | 40-41 | 64-68 | 46-47 | 16 | 5 |
39 | 35-37 | 20 | 39-40 | 63-65 | 44-45 | 15 | 45 |
38 | 34-36 | 19 | 37-38 | 60-62 | 42-43 | 14 | 4 |
37 | 33-35 | 18 | 35-36 | 58-59 | 40-41 | 12 | 35 |
36 | 32-34 | 17 | 34-35 | 57-58 | 38-39 | 10 | 3 |
35 | 31-33 | 16 | 33-34 | 56-57 | 36-37 | 8 | 2.5 |
34 | 30-32 | 15 | 32-33 | 55-56 | 34-35 | 6 | 2 |
33 | 29-31 | 14 | 31-32 | 53-54 | 32-33 | 4 | 15 |
By taking measurements of your body, focusing on this table, you can choose the optimal sizes for your bed, which will suit you almost perfectly. Difficult? It’s not scary, as they say - “It’s hard to learn, it’s easy to fight.”
After which you can proceed directly to making the bed itself. To begin with, it is recommended to cut out a template from paper. On it we draw a bed according to the dimensions that were measured and determined using a table. Sketches of different crossbow stocks are available on the Internet.
We will tell you how to make a crossbow stock, shoulders and trigger mechanism step by step in other articles. In this case, our task is to determine the dimensions of the crossbow parts we need and the materials from which they will be made.
Now let's see where to start creating the crossbow's shoulders. And we start, as usual, by choosing the material from which the shoulders will be made. It seems to me that many people immediately determine what kind of crossbow will be made: with a monobow or with a compound bow.
The material for creating the shoulders should be as follows:
- If you have a sports bow at your disposal, you can use the shoulders from it. You can go to some sports section where you can get decommissioned bows completely free - they will still be thrown away. They, however, can be used for weak crossbows, with a tension of up to 20 kg;
- Fiberglass or textolite is sold in regular construction stores. The tension force is also low - up to 20 kg. Typically used to create crossbows for recreational purposes;
- Car spring - look in your garage, in your neighbor's and in a junkyard. In principle, finding her would not be a problem - if only there was a desire;
- Carbon fiber, fiberglass, various composite materials - again, we go to construction stores.
Any store has similar materials, and at fairly affordable prices.
The highest quality crossbow arms are made from composite materials and fiberglass. Below is a drawing showing the dimensions of their fiberglass arms with a tensile force of up to 40 kg.
To create a monobow, you can use a car spring. The string is attached to it using wheels or pulled onto a trident.
Size chart for monobow drawings.
Tension force, kg | Working stroke of the bowstring, mm | Dimensions, mm | Width, mm | Thickness, D, mm | Weight, kg | |||
A | B | C | (in the center) | (at the ends) | ||||
60 | 145 | 545 | 70 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 0.58 |
75 | 160 | 572 | 75 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 0.68 |
100 | 160 | 572 | 75 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 6 | 0.85 |
120 | 180 | 675 | 70 | 25 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 1.00 |
120 | 180 | 660 | 90 | 35 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 1.00 |
120 | 180 | 690 | 100 | 35 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 1.10 |
280 | 180 | 680 | 100 | 35 | 30 | 12 | 6 | 1.35 |
325 | 180 | 675 | 100 | 50 | 40 | 12 | 9 | 1.95 |
With your permission, now it’s time to finish the review of the sizes that you can use to create a crossbow with your own hands. In the following articles we will look in detail at what triggers can be used for a crossbow. We will also look at the drawings of trigger mechanisms that are common in crossbow manufacturing today.
Based on materials from the site: sekach.ru
A hunting crossbow is a fairly effective weapon, which, if necessary, can serve as a worthy replacement for a rifle. The main advantage of the weapon is its silent shooting. Therefore, when using it, it is quite difficult to scare the animal.
Design features
What does a hunting crossbow consist of? The photos presented in this material allow us to see that the following components can be distinguished in it:
- The body is the main power unit, which bears the load when lowering the bowstring. Serves as a basis for installing functional parts.
- Blocks are part of the structure for installing bowstring tension arcs.
- The stock is the part of the crossbow that is used to place the arrow.
- The bowstring is a functional part that serves to propel the projectiles used.
- The shoulders are an elastic structural element that releases energy when the bowstring is pulled.
- A stirrup is a part that makes loading a crossbow easier.
- The trigger mechanism is a device due to which the lock opens and the bowstring is released when fired.
- Sight - mounted on the crossbow to facilitate aiming at the target.
Hunting crossbow with wooden shoulders
It is the simplest design. As follows from the definition, the shoulders here are made of wood. Such a crossbow cannot be called a model of reliability. Products in this category are frankly short-lived and therefore are not in very high demand. Most often, such a hunting crossbow is used as a collectible, decorative weapon.
Crossbow with metal arcs
An extremely common option. Hunters pay attention to such crossbows because they demonstrate high power when shooting. Hunting bows and crossbows with metal arches are suitable not only for training, but also for use in the field when tracking down prey. For manufacturing, both solid arcs and composite structures are used, which are assembled from several symmetrical parts.
Recurve crossbow
Classic version with curved shoulders. Such a hunting crossbow is an extremely easy-to-handle and convenient device to use. It has small dimensions and improved characteristics. Easily disassembled and transported.
Recurve crossbows contain reinforced arms, the tension force of which can reach about 50 kg. This, in turn, opens up the possibility of hunting small and large animals.
Compound crossbow
The design includes a whole system of eccentrics, thanks to which the process of loading the weapon is facilitated and the acceleration of the arrow is ensured. Compared to recurve models, a compound hunting crossbow is more compact. The power figures here are also excellent.
Small dimensions are ensured by installing short arcs. The use of this solution makes it easier for the weapon owner to overcome areas covered with thickets and bushes.
The characteristics of a block-type hunting crossbow provide simple cocking of the bowstring and insignificant recoil, which is achieved due to the rational distribution of the force vector.
type
- due to their reduced dimensions, they are extremely convenient for transportation;
- have high power and allow you to hit targets at both medium and long distances;
- have lower destructive power compared to block systems, but throw arrows at a higher speed;
- in addition to arrows, they can fire darts, harpoons, and metal balls.
Sights
The main feature of crossbow shooting is a significant shift in the aiming line. In other words, after firing the shot, the fired projectile begins to gravitate towards the ground quite quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to install optics with a special crossbow reticle on such weapons. To effectively target a target, it is enough to equip crossbows with optical sights with 4x zoom.
Some hunters prefer collimator systems, which also prove to be quite effective. Moreover, this option makes it possible to hunt both during the day and in the evening. Collimator sights are extremely convenient to use when aiming at moving targets.
DIY hunting crossbow
Having decided on the necessary parameters and characteristics of the future weapon, it is worth moving on to developing the appropriate drawing. You can use a ready-made diagram as a sample or create one yourself. Be that as it may, a home-made hunting crossbow will ultimately have to be customized to suit you.
When preparing a drawing, you should focus not only on personal wishes, but also take into account the availability of the necessary materials, based on their cost, and the complexity of processing.
How to make a hunting crossbow with your own hands? Usually, to begin with, a stock is prepared, onto which the shoulders, stirrup, guide, and trigger are subsequently attached. Arcs are a difficult element to make on your own. Therefore, in some cases it is better to purchase them ready-made.
They will help you make hunting drawings, examples of which are shown in the photos below.
Frame
The base on which the stock and shoulders of the product are fixed is the body. It is advisable to cut it from a metal blank with a thickness of about 2.5-3 mm.
The crossbow stock is fixed in the central part of the body and at the end using bolts. The use of such a solution facilitates the rapid assembly of weapons to bring them into combat condition and disassembly during transportation.
A stirrup is welded to the body at the bottom. The latter makes it possible to hold the crossbow with your foot when the bowstring is pulled. It is recommended to use wire with a diameter of 6 to 8 mm as the material for making stirrups.
Shoulders
The material for manufacturing the structural element can be a car spring. In such metal arms, semicircular recesses are made for bolts, with the help of which the part will be screwed to the body.
There is a widespread opinion that the use of metal springs as the basis for making shoulders is a rather dangerous decision. And in fact, when using a homemade crossbow in conditions of low ambient temperature, the likelihood of the part breaking increases, especially at the fastening points. Such cases are accompanied by the release of small fragments. Therefore, you should apply the idea at your own peril and risk.
Blocks
Ready-made drawings of a hunting crossbow often include block devices. The latter ease the tension and give an advantage in strength. It is easier to put such a crossbow into combat condition than by simply connecting the ends of the bowstring to the ends of the arms. Moreover, during the descent, the starting speed of the arrow increases, which is reflected in the increase in the range of the weapon. The main disadvantage of installing a block system is the complexity of manufacturing and the increase in the overall weight of the crossbow.
Bowstring
As a bowstring, you can use a metal cable with a diameter of about 2-3 mm. A thicker string will be more difficult to attach to a weapon, and a thin one will begin to stretch as the product is used.
To fix the bowstring at the ends of the arms, it is enough to make a regular loop. It is better to place pieces of leather or any other dense material under the cable fastenings. This solution allows you to avoid chafing of the bowstring when in contact with metal shoulders.
Lodge
To make the part, you can use an easily processed wooden blank in the form of a board about 30 mm thick. It is worth noting that, despite the high strength indicators, oak is not very suitable for these purposes due to its significant weight. As for spruce and pine, the latter are not sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage and warp when in contact with moisture. Therefore, the type of wood should be selected depending on the goals and conditions of future use of the crossbow.
How to make a hunting crossbow truly practical? During manufacturing, special attention should be paid to the guide in the form of a groove for the arrow, which you should try to make as even, smooth and polished as possible. The condition of the groove largely affects the accuracy of shooting. It is advisable that the width of the stock be equal to the diameter of the arrows used. You can cut it using a circular saw.
It is rational to use a spring as a means of holding the arrow, which will press the projectile to the stock and will not allow the latter to slip out of the groove before firing.
Trigger
The material used to manufacture the part will be sheet iron. It is desirable that its thickness be at least 6-7 mm. The mechanism drawing is presented in the following diagram:
All parts are placed directly into the stock. Here a special nest is cut out, through holes are made under the axes of the mechanism, onto which the trigger elements are subsequently installed. An example of setting the trigger is shown in the figure below.
Sighting optics
Factory optics from firearms can be used as a crossbow sight. A fairly practical solution is to use a front and rear sight. Using the latter, you can make vertical corrections. It is convenient to make horizontal adjustments using a front sight mounted at the intersection of the shoulders and the stock.
To ensure ease of transportation of the crossbow, it is worth making the sighting device removable. To do this, you can install a so-called Picatinny rail on the weapon, which makes it possible to mount individual factory-assembled sights.
Finally
Making and operating a hunting crossbow with your own hands is a rather radical solution. Often, in the absence of experience in this type of activity, the quality and reliability of a homemade device leaves much to be desired. In reality, even crossbows of the budget category, factory-made, the cost of which is about 3000-4000 rubles, turn out to be much more effective, convenient and practical compared to the creations of your own hands.
As you can see, making a hunting crossbow is quite possible. However, by purchasing a weapon in a specialized store, the user receives guarantees of its safety and reliability of assembly. When using a homemade crossbow, you can only rely on yourself.