Hello everyone
This is the ''Modern" crossbow I built from scratch, using the building instructions/plans (with a few modifications) from a 1944 Popular Mechanics magazine.
Download the instructions here: http://www.vintageprojects.com/archery/cross-bow-leaf-spring.html
![]()
![]()
The bow was cut and shaped from a 5 mm steel leaf spring, and has a draw weight of approximately 180 kg (400+ lbs). I made the bow string form Dacron fishing line, and the stock was made from laminated plywood sheets, with an lubricated aluminium tracks to protect the string during firing (Teflon would be a better material).
After shooting with the crossbow for a while, I made the two steel side plates holding the release larger, as cracks started appearing at the bottom of the stock where the trigger is located. The pressure faces of the trigger and release should be lubricated with a graphite & grease mixture, without lubrication it is almost impossible to pull the trigger due to the friction & large draw weight of the bow. Another modification I made was to ad a recurve shape to the bow where the bowstring is hooked on, as the design shown in the magazine kept failing. The bow was strung by laying it on two wooden beams and pushing it down with a hydraulic press.
I made the arrows myself using broken carbon fiber arrows that I got for free from fellow archers. Each arrow weighs 480 grains (31 grams) and travels at a speed of 220 ft/sec which means each arrow has 51 foot-pounds or 70 Joules of energy.
I have successfully hunted with the crossbow, but mainly use it for target practice.
!!VIDEO!!
This is the ''Modern" crossbow I built from scratch, using the building instructions/plans (with a few modifications) from a 1944 Popular Mechanics magazine.
Download the instructions here: http://www.vintageprojects.com/archery/cross-bow-leaf-spring.html
The bow was cut and shaped from a 5 mm steel leaf spring, and has a draw weight of approximately 180 kg (400+ lbs). I made the bow string form Dacron fishing line, and the stock was made from laminated plywood sheets, with an lubricated aluminium tracks to protect the string during firing (Teflon would be a better material).
After shooting with the crossbow for a while, I made the two steel side plates holding the release larger, as cracks started appearing at the bottom of the stock where the trigger is located. The pressure faces of the trigger and release should be lubricated with a graphite & grease mixture, without lubrication it is almost impossible to pull the trigger due to the friction & large draw weight of the bow. Another modification I made was to ad a recurve shape to the bow where the bowstring is hooked on, as the design shown in the magazine kept failing. The bow was strung by laying it on two wooden beams and pushing it down with a hydraulic press.
I made the arrows myself using broken carbon fiber arrows that I got for free from fellow archers. Each arrow weighs 480 grains (31 grams) and travels at a speed of 220 ft/sec which means each arrow has 51 foot-pounds or 70 Joules of energy.
I have successfully hunted with the crossbow, but mainly use it for target practice.
!!VIDEO!!
