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Crossbows - Everything about Building, Modding, and Using your Crossbow Gear

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» Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin
by stuckinthemud1 Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:10 am

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» Wood Prods
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 12:47 pm


3 posters

    Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin

    stuckinthemud1
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    Post by stuckinthemud1 Mon Apr 03, 2023 12:08 pm

    I am building a heavy (for me) crossbow lath from yew.  Maybe 300lb, maybe less, could be more. Anyone able to recommend a weighing scale so I can find it’s draw weight?  Also, I need to make or buy some kind of stringer.  Any ideas?
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    Post by kenh Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:09 pm

    The prod in my Avatar draws a bit over 280#.  I strapped it to my garage ceiling beam, and  attached a slightly long, very strong string, Then I dangled my 210# from that and the prod barely bent.  So I borrowed some weightlifting weights, and started at 220# adding weights until the prod bent enough to put on the massive string that I'd had made to give me the "fistmele" I wanted.  Once that was on, I repeated the process 5 pounds at a time until it reached my designed full draw.   Don't have a garage with a ceiling beam?  Find a big tree with heavy branches, and chain the prod up close to the trunk.
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    Post by stuckinthemud1 Thu Apr 06, 2023 11:55 am

    Thanks Ken, think I need a bigger rope, my 10mm nylon rope is stretching and stretching under load. First inch of tip movement takes 70lb and I   can’t get the prod to go past about 6” of string movement, 1.5” tip movement, before the rope deforms and the lath stops moving
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    Post by kenh Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:38 pm

    Yeah, nylon rope, especially the twisted kind, is about as stretchy as a rubber band.  Get a piece of 8mm or 12mm hemp rope.  Or if you know a boater, get a length of braided halyard or other sheet line.

    Or if you have the materials to make bowstrings, make up one based on your SWAG draw weight.  Scientific Wild Ass Guess...
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    Post by stuckinthemud1 Thu Apr 20, 2023 2:19 pm

    So, my village blacksmith is up for helping, he has a 100kg crane scales.  He can’t see how a yew bow can be heavier than that.  I Think he’s in for a surprise.  Hopefully he has a few heavy things to weigh and put in a basket 😀
    I’ve started laying out a 25 loop endless loop linen string, so 50 strands except for the nock loops that are 25 strand but I will cock-comb them to put in a bit of strengthening. Just hope it’s man enough BUT How do I string it? Seriously. Need a stringer, last time I tried rope loops they just slid along the limbs.  Any ideas?
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    Post by hullutiedemies Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:57 pm

    Slipknot noose will not slide down. And if other end of bastard string is over the main string, it can be opened and removed afterwards.
    Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin J_risti3

    The bastard string here is cheap polypropylene monofilament. It does not stretch as much as the more expensive braided plastic ropes.
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    Post by stuckinthemud1 Tue Apr 25, 2023 2:41 pm

    Thank you, I will try that straight away.  Interesting photo you posted. Can I ask what the wooden piece attached to the lath is for?
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    Post by hullutiedemies Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:07 am

    stuckinthemud1 wrote: Can I ask what the wooden piece attached to the lath is for?

    Mainly for peace of mind. The stave was a hair thinner than it should have been at the middle.
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    Post by stuckinthemud1 Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:10 am

    I like it, kinda like a Penbscot bow in some respects
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