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Crossbow with wooden stock and rattan bow

by Vidar_76 on August 14, 2009

Table of Contents

Crossbow with wooden stock and rattan bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Crossbow with wooden stock and rattan bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Making the stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 2: The lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 3: The bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 4: The string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 5: Putting it all together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
Intro: Crossbow with wooden stock and rattan bow
A while ago i searched Ible' for crossbows and found mainly K'nex thingys and stuff too badly build to be really useful for tagetshooting. (I am truly sorry if you made one
thats don't fit this, please let me know )

This is a crossbow i built in 2002 for a friend. At that time i worked as webprogrammer so my skills and tools were not what they are today after teaching woodshop for
the last three years. I see a lot of embarrassing mistakes i made but hopefully you'll avoid them.

At that time i mostly built medieval things so this was a nice change for me. I have the Payne-Gallwey-book and wanted to try something from the 17-1800 century
chapters. My friend was going to use it for target shooting and live roleplaying (with blunt arrows of course) Using rattan limits the bow a bit but it still fun to use whitout it
beeing so heavy its any actual danger.
The stock is made of ash and the bow of rattan, wrapped in rawhide for strength and waxed linen for protection.

This was made in 2002, way before steampunk as far as i know. If i would build it today i may have gotten more brass on it but i like a clean look (steampunk could be
very nice but tend to get a bit christmas treeish) Since i bought my first camera while building there are some pics missing, due to lack of camera and experience in
documentation. Hopefully you'll manage anyway. A exact copy would'nt be as fun to see as you own creation.

As usual - sorry for misspellings and bad language.

You will use axe, knife, powertools, hot wax mixed with turpentine and so on so use common sense. If you dont have any, lend some from a friend. It seems like some
americans need a lot of these warnings. As i say to my pupils - if i warn you three times and you still hurt yourself, whos fault is it? ;-)

I suppose you all know that this is a sporting tool that in the wrong hands could be dangerous. Please be careful, dont shoot anybody that doesnt want it and use blunt
arrows and proper protection when needed. For scandinavians: var fonuftig for f*n!

Image Notes
1. First ruff shape. Note the square end, didnt make any hole until i knew the
drawlength of the bow.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. The making will involve a lot of drilling and shaping. You will enjoy it. 1. A few fiddly parts, thats just fun.
2. Hole for fastening the lock
3. Spring that fits the lock

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes
1. Some black tread on the string to mark the middle
2. Covered in linen, waxed to be more resistant

Step 1: Making the stock

First i started making a piece to try out how large the stock should be, where the handrest and trigger would fit. I'm sorry i can't give you any measurements, the
crossbow is no longer in my possession. You will have to do some trial and error.
As you can see i didn't make the hole for the bow until it was ready and i could try i out to see how far it should be pulled to get the right strength. (normally you want as
much as possible but my friend had a limit to ~25 pounds since he was going to use it for live roleplaying)

The stock was shaped with the tools i had available at the time - handsaw, electric drill and rasp.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Tryout just to get the dimentions 1. First ruff shape. Note the square end, didnt make any hole until i knew the
2. Notch for the string drawlength of the bow.
3. Workbench from 1957 inherited from my fathers father when his fingers got
to stiff.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. The making will involve a lot of drilling and shaping. You will enjoy it. 1. Staining the wood
2. Hole for fastening the lock 2. Large rasp
3. Spring that fits the lock 3. Axe used for shaping the wood and opening beers
4. Sandpaper on a handle
5. The triggerprotection fits in a small hole.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. All stained 1. Treated with the same wax/turpentine mixture that was used for the string.
Polish until it looks nice.

Step 2: The lock

The lock is the most interesting and fiddly bit to make. It has to be able to hold the bows strenght as long as nessecary, release easily, hock the string i a way that
doesent wear it down and so on.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. This pin fits to the spring mounted in the stock 1. To be grinded down to a small notch that the string will hook on to and raise
2. Trigger the lever.
3. Bolt that fits in the stock
4. A small notch. When the string is pulled backward this makes the lever gets in
the right position
5. The upper part swings around this pin so make sure it fits securly!
6. String goes here.
7. This shape is quite impotant, when the string i pulled backwards it pushes the
lever downwards.
8. The trigger revolves around this pin.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Pin that fis in spring 1. Seen from above
2. Trigger 2. Seen from behind
3. All parts are made of scrap pieces and handsawn and filed to fit. It not so bad 3. Each square is 5mm.
when you get used to it
4. Each square is 5 mm
5. String goes here
6. Swings around this hole
7. Notch that holds the upper part
8. Here the upper part rest on the triggerpiece
9. Here there must be a small notch, please see the other pickures.

Step 3: The bow

The bow was made of rattan, a kind of grass believe it or not. It got very long fibers so it wont brake. The rawhide helps it go a bit faster and protects the wood.
Rawhide could be found in dogs chewingbones, just soak it in water for a few hours and it will be as soft as a dishcloth.
I didn't take any pictures of the rattan wile i shaped it, got my first camera after i started building.
You could use a small axe and work it down. Test it while you work so it gets symmetrical.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. The rawhide was bound down so it couldnt mowe while drying. 1. Extra layer of rawhide for strengt and protection.
2. A pice of hard wood between the rawhide and the rattan to make it stronger and
give better spring. Also secures the string.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. The rawhide was crudely sewn together 1. Softening the tips of the rawhide in water
2. And wrapped while drying

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Jugs of mead usd to measure the bows strengt. (and later om mine...) By 1. First tryout, it looks thin but will be all right for 25 pounds.
weightening it down i could measure the bows strengt.
2. Drawings, possibly of the crossbow but may be of tents, kayaks or wierd bikes.
It was six years ago, dont really remember...
3. Sorry for the picture beeing in the wrong direction, dont have any image editing
on this computer

Step 4: The string

The string was made from linen or hemp twisted together with a extra enforcement loop in the end. Before i started making it i throughly waxed the string using a blend of
beeswax melted and mixed with turpentine
Use a small pot and melt the wax slowly, when its floating mix carefully with the same or a little less amount of turpentine. If you want it to get harder you could add some
linseed oil.

If you can't see how the string is made ill try to scan page 111 in Payne-Gallweys book.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Small lashing 1. Outer lashing
2. Extra loop 2. Inner lashing
3. Some of this beeswax was melted and mixed with turpentine.

Step 5: Putting it all together

Final step, putting it all together. Make sure you are careful, misstakes now will be harder to correct.

I'm sorry i dont have any pictures of the arrows. They are like ordinary bowarrows but shorter, usually the lenth between the bow and the hooked string. The end should
not have the usual notch but should be flat on two sides so it fits between the two flat bars on the lock.

I wish you happy and injury-free building and shooting!

Image Notes Image Notes

1. The lock mounted with a bolt 1. End of the triggerguard is fitted in a small hole
2. This bolt should be filed down.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes Image Notes
1. Trying out the spring for the lock 1. All stained
2. Will be filed down

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Treated with the same wax/turpentine mixture that was used for the string. 1. Staining the wood
Polish until it looks nice. 2. Large rasp
3. Axe used for shaping the wood and opening beers
4. Sandpaper on a handle
5. The triggerprotection fits in a small hole.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes
1. Rough surface, should be sanded

Image Notes Image Notes

1. A brass lid to cover the lock. The nails were cut of and grounded down. 1. Two thin wedges opposit each other used to secure the bow and take away
some of the stress from the tread.
2. Lashing runs like an 8 throu the stock
3. Thin wooden piece here to protect the bow

Image Notes Image Notes

1. I used two wooden needles (the kind used for needleknitting, made for 1. Finished! Pulling it tight makes the bow secure.
another friend) to pull the strings
2. The wedges are important, makes it easier to fit the bow and protects both
bow and lashing

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Image Notes
1. Some black tread on the string to mark the middle
2. Covered in linen, waxed to be more resistant

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Comments
31 comments Add Comment

knex luver234 says: Nov 30, 2010. 4:04 PM REPLY

nice crossbow crazycreator187, looks nice, i think ill make one like yours! how gooda accuracy and range does it have?

knex luver234 says: Dec 8, 2010. 7:00 PM REPLY

wy not? looks pretty biesty

CRAZYCREATOR187 says: Dec 2, 2010. 9:57 PM REPLY

thanks, the accuracy depends on how straight your bolts(arrows) are and what sort of fletchings are on them. As fro the range that also depends on the
bolts but if you shoot it straight up the bolt goes out of sight and stays in the air for 10-15 seconds. as I said further up, if you want me to I could probably
take the crossbow to pieces (none of it is glued) and make an instructable.

CRAZYCREATOR187 says: Oct 18, 2010. 12:31 AM REPLY

I have just finished a crossbow, it uses a roller nut trigger, has a pine stock with 25 by 25mm square tubing, the bow is made out of a leaf spring.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 dazedonblu says: Dec 2, 2010. 7:20 PM REPLY
That is a great looking job,I'd love to have designs for that.

CRAZYCREATOR187 says: Dec 2, 2010. 9:51 PM REPLY

I could probably take it all apart and make an instructable if you want, It would be more of a guide than step by step instructions.

Vidar_76 says: Nov 29, 2010. 5:47 AM REPLY

It looks really nice!
How heavy are the bow?

CRAZYCREATOR187 says: Nov 29, 2010. 1:15 PM REPLY

do you mean weight or pull back weight?

crossbow nut8899 says: Oct 9, 2010. 2:44 PM REPLY

kool invention i want oooooone

PastTheVoid says: Jun 22, 2010. 7:39 PM REPLY

A bit big for opening bottles. Not really the right shape either.

Vidar_76 says: Jun 23, 2010. 12:07 AM REPLY

Have you tried? :)
Sometimes you'll just take the first hard thing thats closest to you. I consider it a useful skill to open a bottle with anything laying around.

nutsandbolts_64 says: May 10, 2010. 9:59 PM REPLY

Now this is what you call a vintage crossbow! or real crossbow... ah whatever, I'll just say this: This is the sum of all DIY Technology ever developed in the
21st century!

fenrisilver says: Jan 16, 2010. 7:00 PM REPLY

This is probably the best crossbow instructable on the site. The bow you made loos amazing, and I really like how sophisticated you made the stock, with a
trigger and everything. I'm not so sure about using rattan as a material though. At my karate class some of the teachers have staffs made of rattan, and I
know that if they take enough abuse, they can shatter.

Vidar_76 says: Jan 16, 2010. 9:51 PM REPLY

Thank you!
Everything will sooner o later shatter.. I guess that the difference is that your karateteachers were hitting the rattan instead of just bending it. Just lika
metal wood vill bend to a certain point and then start to deform och break. Bu using a quite long bow the bending per cm (or inch) gets less than with a
shorter bow.
The rawhide in front of the bow will make the break less dangerous. Usually the wood vill loose some strenght instead of break when old.

(and without a stock and lock it would just be a bow ;) A stock with a stiff bow and som rubberband is a slingshot, not a crossbow. There seems to be a
lot of confusion.)

nutsandbolts_64 says: May 10, 2010. 9:53 PM REPLY

What if the slingshot (under your definition) has a mechanical trigger?

CRAZYCREATOR187 says: Sep 26, 2009. 10:59 PM REPLY

wouldn't you need a slot across the top of the stock for the fletches on the bolt to run in? nice crossbow

Vidar_76 says: Sep 27, 2009. 12:23 AM REPLY

Thanks! And no, the bolt has only two fletches so its no problem.

abadfart says: Jan 7, 2010. 1:57 AM REPLY

not true i have 2 and they both have a track

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/
 Vidar_76 says: Jan 7, 2010. 2:52 AM REPLY
There are many different ways to solve this problem, since this was a crossbow that was supposed to have some historical feeling to it and most
historical crossbows i have seen had two fletches i choosed that solution.

Thanks!

abadfart says: Jan 7, 2010. 3:29 PM REPLY

ok both of mine are from the 60s and later

abadfart says: Jan 7, 2010. 1:57 AM REPLY

but still nice job

madscientist167 says: Oct 22, 2009. 4:55 PM REPLY

are you sure that friend wanted to use blunt arrows for role-playing and use pine for the bow

Vidar_76 says: Oct 23, 2009. 4:08 AM REPLY

I assume you are joking. Role-playing withouth blunt arrows would be a sure way to get very few players and after a while they will be few and
badly hurt, ie not your friends any more. Be safe and make sure you stay friends even after the game!

A bow made of pine would be one of the most useless ones in the history, pine is good for building fences and simple furniture. Cant take any
strain at all.

(using capital letters and a question mark would make your comment easier to read. Or maybe its just me getting old...)

starfire9532 says: Nov 1, 2009. 3:36 PM REPLY

where do you get the rattan

Vidar_76 says: Nov 1, 2009. 8:35 PM REPLY

Hi!

I got the rattan from a German man i met at a SCA-event in southern sweden. If you google you might find something more near you.

NRen2k5 says: Sep 9, 2009. 10:02 PM REPLY

Needs more work. No, not the crossbow - the instructable. It needs more writing, and some more info like how to build your own trigger assembly or where to
get a premade one.

Vidar_76 says: Sep 9, 2009. 10:50 PM REPLY

This is a ible' about how i made this particular crossbow, they can be made in hundreds of ways. If i should cover all the ways a crossbow trigger may be
built it's better to make a whole new ible'. Considering how long it took to get this one approved and how much spare time i have at the moment it will
take a while... If your in a hurry to know more just google and i promise you'll find something useful. I admit that the text is a bit short, will try to write more
when i have some spare time.

skimmo says: Aug 24, 2009. 5:20 PM REPLY

if i met you ied shake your hand, you have just summed up what ive been looking since i first found instructables well done

Vidar_76 says: Aug 24, 2009. 6:37 PM REPLY

Oh, i'm very happy to hear that! :D I did a lot of research and hope to save some of that work for others. Even tho the Payne-Gallwey is incredible to
read, written in 1903 by a English lord who obviously had to much time and money on his hands...

jtobako says: Aug 23, 2009. 7:17 PM REPLY

The trigger set reminds me of http://www.atarn.org/chinese/bjng_xbow/bjng_xbow.htm .

Vidar_76 says: Aug 23, 2009. 10:45 PM REPLY

I was inspired by many different sources, the atarn site was one of them. Wery nice pictures and explanations! Since i wasn't a good enough bronze
caster at that time i went for the welded iron solution.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crossbow-wooden-stock-and-rattan-bow/