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Bow design
When a bow is drawn, it stores energy. The farther it's drawn, the more energy is stored. When the bowstring is released, this stored (potential) energy is converted into kinetic energy of the projectile -
Making a medieval European -style crossbow stock
This article described the steps needed to make a medieval European-style crossbow stock. Stock design aspects are discussed in other Wiki articles. Before you start, you should definitely have detailed, well thought-out drawings -
Designing medieval nut and trigger crossbow locks
This article describes design aspects of a simple nut and trigger lock commonly seen on medieval crossbows. For practical instructions on how to make the nut, refer to this article. The simple nut and trigger -
Making a steel prod from a leaf spring
This article explains the process of making a bow from a leaf spring, that's same thickness it's entire length. This method works best on simple pyramid-profile bows, but can be adapted to -
Making bowstrings
There are at least two common types of bowstring used in traditional archery: Flemish strings and endless loop strings. Both are described in detail by Baker (2000c). Baker's article is a very good read -
Making a wippe
Wippe is an simple wooden lever that can be used to cock a crossbow of moderate strength. It is basically a much simplified version of the goat's foot lever. Unlike goat's foot lever -
Plan for a simple leaf-spring prod
I usually make my bows around 80-90cm in length, because bows of this length are still relatively manageable and light yet allow relatively long draw and high energy storage. The width at the center -
Steel as bow material
At this point it should be noted that modern spring steel is not exactly the same as the steel (or iron/steel combination) used in the Middle ages(england, wales and places around there). It -
Wood as bow material
Wood is one of the classic bows materials. Although there are many, many species that are more than suitable for making bows, all share certain common characteristics. It is these characteristics which are discussed in -
Crossbow Building Wiki
Crossbow Building Wiki is for all the crossbow makers out there. It doesn't matter whether you're into making medieval reproductions or modern high-tech crossbows: this wiki is for you. For discussion, use -
Simple (no metal parts) crossbow design
For reseach I'm doing for a book, I was looking for a crossbow that can be made without modern tools and materials. After an exhaustive search I came across an image that I thought -
Basics of crossbow triggers
{C Triggers are a fascinating subject on its own, but as soon as word "Crossbow" is put in front of "Trigger" it's a whole other world of engineering. To fully understand what makes -
Making a medieval-style nut
The crossbow lock which combines a revolving nut and a separate trigger iron was invented and taken into use during 12th century (Alm 1998: 14). It's structure is explained thoroughly by Payne-Gallway (1990 -
Making simple endless loop strings
Simple endless loop strings are relatively easy to make. In some occasions you may want to consider reinforcing the loops as described here. If you want to make endless loop strings you need a string -
Forging boltheads, method 3
This is the third and in many ways best way to make boltheads. This combines features from the earlier methods I've devised. This method has the added benefit that you can combine a high -
Designing simple lever and pin crossbow locks
The lever and pin trigger is probably the simplest lock one can make for a crossbow. The basic principle is very simple: when a lever is squeezed, a pin attached to it pushes the bowstring -
Forging boltheads, method 1
The dimensions of these parts vary, depending the size (or rather, caliber) of the bolthead. For a bolthead 12mm in diameter use 12mm round iron rod. If possible, make the tip of steel with enough -
Making reinforced endless loop strings
A typical endless loop string for a bow is very simple to make and it works pretty well. The reasons why you might want to consider making a reinforced endless loop strings are outlined here -
THE CHINESE REPEATING CROSSBOW
HERE we have surely the most curious of all the weapons I have described. Though the antiquity of the repeating crossbow is so great that the date of its introduction is beyond conjecture, it is -
Making the sideplates, method 2
This article describes making of bow irons using a metal former around which the rectangular rod is bent while being heated with a blowtorch. This method is very convenient if you need to make several -
Making the sideplates, method 1
There are a couple of ways to make the sideplates in the set of bow irons. The simplest method is to use a wide piece of flat steel, mark the outlines of the sideplate and -
Metal fletching (method 1)
The pros and cons of metal vanes have been discussed here. The process described here is somewhat compilicated, but allows one to create vanes of arbitrary shape. First create a model vane that has the -
Making the guards and wedges
The wedges are driven between the guards to fix the prod and stock together. In short, it's much easier to make the wedges from a heavy steel plate. The technique is pretty similar to -
Metal fletching (method 2)
The pros and cons of metal vanes are discussed in detail here. First make a model of the vane. Make sure that the shaft fits easily between the vanes or they can't be bent -
Forging boltheads, method 2
This method of forging boltheads is very suitable for both arrow- and boltheads and is relatively simple and fast. This article describes making of "pyramid" shape boltheads, although there's nothing stopping you from forging
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