double axle trigger

Finished parts for my double axle/lever trigger for a loose laminate crossbow build. Mostly cut and filed by hand, from 1/4" thick 6061 flat bar I got from Amazon. Took me about 2 weeks to do. Mechanical advantage without the tickler is about 15:1 right now. With a 3.5" tickler, its about 25:1. I've design the trigger to have the trigger pull distance be adjustable by changing out a positional stop for the second lever.

I like it

Another Loose Laminate builder!  Take a look at my Avatar -- the prod uses lengths of fiberglass fence stretcher bar.    Like thise double-axle trigger!   Mine's just a push-pin.

kenh wrote:Another Loose Laminate builder!  Take a look at my Avatar -- the prod uses lengths of fiberglass fence stretcher bar.    Like thise double-axle trigger!   Mine's just a push-pin.

Hey Ken! Been following your posts for years, all your work has been a great help   .

I had a test prod made from a 60cmx3cmx5mm fiberglass bar (40-50 lb replacement limbs for those cheapo recurve bows on Amazon), but I think the prod was a tad too short for my intended draw length of 11" since it was stacking pretty badly by 10 inches. Since I can't find anything longer, I'm going to cut and use two 14" pieces bolted to a spanner block for the prod (which would sadly ruined the "medieval look" for the bow), and maybe add more lengths once I figure out how the bars are pulling.

These recurve limb bars are pretty stiff and a lot stronger than the fence post tension bars I've used before. They come from China and cost about $15 with delivery for two 60cm/23" bars. I tried stacking a 23" + 14" together for the prod, but for the life of couldn't get it to budge past 3-4 inches with hand spanning. With just one 23" bar, the prod was pulling at least 100 pounds at 9 inches based on my bathroom scale. The most powerful crossbow I built so far only hits 70 lbs, so this is all new territory for me and I'm taking it slow.

Thanx for the compliment.  It took me a number of tries to get a stack combo I liked.  I used to be able to span theprod by standing and pulling butthisole back ain't what it used to be, and I'm now trying to  build a cocking lever that works worth a darn.