Steel crossbow

[duckhunter382]

My neighbor had a yard sale and one of the things they couldnt sell was a set of popular mechanics do it yourself encyclopedias. I was looking at them and found a how to on building crossbows. It had plans for a wooden one and a steel one made from the leaf spring of an automobile. according to the directions the steel one could stand up to anything short of an elephant. I am thinking of trying to make one. If I could figure out how to get my scanner to work I would have posted it.

[butter21]

I have one that was made. Its steel string, and shoots really really fast but harder then heck to cock and loud as heck to shoot.

[duckhunter382]

thats what I was afraid of. but it sounds like it would be fun to play with.

[Munsterlndr]

Medieval crossbows for the most part used steel prods, so they will certainly work. The replica I'm building has a 140 lb. 1 piece steel prod. Be very careful using steel crossbows when temp's get below freezing as steel can fracture and things can get interesting real fast when a crossbow prod breaks under tension. I would recommend wrapping the limbs with thin strip of leather, it serves to contain most of the energy if a limb breaks and also serves to protect the steel from the elements. Use automotive wax on steel prods to protect them from corrosion.

[butter21]

Medieval crossbows for the most part used steel prods, so they will certainly work. The replica I'm building has a 140 lb. 1 piece steel prod. Be very careful using steel crossbows when temp's get below freezing as steel can fracture and things can get interesting real fast when a crossbow prod breaks under tension. I would recommend wrapping the limbs with thin strip of leather, it serves to contain most of the energy if a limb breaks and also serves to protect the steel from the elements. Use automotive wax on steel prods to protect them from corrosion.
Sounds pretty much like the one i have. My dad made it in woods class in school back in the day.

[swampbuck]

Sounds pretty much like the one i have. My dad made it in woods class in school back in the day.

Sounds like your dad was a pretty open minded fellow.

[butter21]

Sounds like your dad was a pretty open minded fellow.
Sounds to me like you didn't know my dad. Everyone made one in the class and they would shoot them behind school, just for fun. But he probably wouldn't care so much about this crossbow thing. He "hunted" to be out and enjoy nature, and to take it easy. He wouldn't of used one though. ;)

[Munsterlndr]

Sounds like your dad was a pretty open minded fellow.

Doubtful,........the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree. :lol:

[butter21]

Doubtful,........the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree. :lol:
So I'm not open minded because I don't want full inclusion?

My dad would not of cared either way.

[Munsterlndr]

It was a joke, hence the emoticon. Lighten up a little.;)

[Whit1]

Sounds to me like you didn't know my dad. ;)


And you know Cheryl Westbrook from where????

[butter21]

And you know Cheryl Westbrook from where????
Huh? The lady in the story? That was a joke.....:lol: