How to Make a Crossbow
Measure wood for the stock., Saw off the extra wood., Mark the area for a trigger., Cut the rectangle out of the wood., Make the groove to hold the string., Cut the groove that holds the bolt., Create the grip to hold when shooting., Protect the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Measure wood for the stock.
You need to have the stock a comfortable length for your arms.Start with pine board that measures around 38 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 2 inches tall.
Hold it in your hands similar to a rifle with one end pressed against your shoulder and your hands gripping the wood.
Find a comfortable length and mark the wood where you want it cut.
The longer your stock is, the more power you will achieve.
However, it is not wise to go over 1 meter (3.2 feet) so the PVC bow won’t shatter. -
Step 2: Saw off the extra wood.
Use a circular or hand saw to cut the wood on the mark you made for length.
Use safety goggles to make sure you don’t get sawdust in your eyes.
Saw in a well ventilated area. , Hold up the wood again as you would a crossbow stock, with one end pressed against your shoulder and your hands gripping the wood.
Make a small mark where it feels comfortable to have the trigger and the handle.
Draw a rounded rectangle shape in the center of where you marked the trigger.
This needs to be drawn on the top of the pine wood, not the side.
The rectangle should be around 4 inches long, and 1 inch wide.
Make sure the rectangle is drawn in the center of the wood where you have marked it. , Using a chisel, drill and wood rasp, gouge out the wood within the rectangular area while being very careful not to split the wood.
Use a combination of all three tools to slowly remove the wood inside the rectangle until you have a rectangle shaped hole.
Use sandpaper to smooth the area around the hole after you have finished. , The groove will create a place for the string to rest horizontally across the rectangle hole.
Use a chisel or wood rasp to create a 1/8 inch groove near the front of the trigger hole.
Sand the groove after it is cut. , This grove will be centered and extend from the rectangle hole to the end of the wood.
Find and mark the center of the end of the wood, farthest from the string groove.
Find and mark the center of the end of the rectangle hole, farthest from the string groove.
Draw a straight line between the two marks.
Use a drill, chisel, and hammer to carve a ¼ inch deep channel along the marked line.
Sand the groove until completely smooth. , Use a second piece of pine wood to make the grip.
Cut the wood to be around 8 inches long.
Use PVC glue or wood glue to attach it to the bottom of the stock, making sure it is centered.
Leave the glue to dry for at least an hour. , Use varnish, wood stain, or another wood sealer to ensure the wood will be protected from the elements.
Wait until the glue has dried completely before applying a sealer. , Use a hacksaw to cut a 1” PVC pipe into a 36 inch length.Make sure to measure and mark the length before cutting to ensure accuracy. , On each end of the PVC pipe, use a hacksaw to cut a small groove just large enough to fit a small wood screw. , The pulleys are attached to either end of the PVC bow, and the string will feed through them.
Insert a small wood screw on both ends of the PVC pipe.
Attach the pulleys to the wood screws on either end of the pipe using wire ties. , The nylon string needs to be threaded through both pulleys correctly for the crossbow to be able to fire.
Securely tie one end of the nylon string to the wood screw on the left side of the PVC pipe.
Bring the string across to the pulley on the right end of the PVC pipe, and loop it in and around the pulley.
Bring the sting back to the left side and loop the string in and around the pulley on the left.
Finally, bring the string back to the right and tie it securely to the right wood screw.
Do not pull the string tightly when you wrap around the pulleys or you will not be able to pull it back to fire the crossbow. , It’s important to have the string threaded correctly.
The string should run across the PVC pipe 3 times.
Do a quick test to make sure you have threaded the string correctly.
Pull on the string coming out of the pulleys.
The PVC pipe should flex like a bow.
If the pipe does not bend slightly like a bow would, pull the thread out and start again. , The wood of the stock needs to have a groove carved in for the round PVC pipe to snugly fit.
Use a wood rasp or chisel to carve out a rounded groove wide enough to fit the pipe on the end of the wood stock.
The groove needs to be deep enough to fit the PVC pipe securely.
Carve slowly while repetitively checking how the pipe fits.
This will ensure you end up with the perfect fit.
The pipe shouldn’t have room to move around. , The bow needs to be secured to the stock to ensure proper use.
You need to have the strings in the correct place for the crossbow to be effective.
Use duct tape to secure the PVC pipe to the stock by wrapping it around the pipe and the end of the wood stock.
Only the firing string coming out of the pulleys should be on top of the wood.
The other two strings should be on the bottom so they don’t interfere with the firing process. , You need to test to make sure the strings are in the right place and the bow will fire correctly.
Draw back the firing string and place it in the string notch on the rectangle hole.
It should be able to stay notched and ready by itself.
If the string will not stay notched, you need to make the groove deeper to hold the string. , Use a thinner piece (around 1 inch thick) of pine wood to create the trigger system.
Draw a rough L-shape on the wood.
The small (horizontal) portion of the “L” shape should be slightly smaller than the box you carved in the stock.
Cut the L-shape out of the wood with a saw.
This L-shaped piece of wood will be the trigger.
Sand it until it is smooth. , Use a wood rasp or chisel to carve about a ⅛ inch channel across the short part of the L-shaped wood. , The hole should be drilled down by the corner of the L, but centered in the wood.
The hole should be big enough to fit the nail you are using to attach it to the stock. , You need to attach the trigger onto the stock so that it will pop the string out of the groove when pulled.
Put L-shaped trigger in the rectangle hole with the groove facing upwards and the L pointing forward.
Make sure it has space to move without hitting the back of the hole.
Use a hammer to push a nail through the stock and hold the L-shaped trigger in place at the angle. , Use sand paper to fine tune the trigger until the action is smooth. , The handle is what you hold to steady the crossbow so you can pull the trigger.
Use pine wood to cut a 20 centimetre (8 inch) length to be used as the handle.
Sand it into the rough shape of a handle. , The handle should be attached behind the trigger so you can easily fire the crossbow.
Use PVC or wood glue to attach the handle to the stock.
Wait an hour for the glue to dry.
When the glue is dry, you can use a hammer to drive a few nails into the handle to firmly secure it on the stock if you would like. , You use a crossbow by pressing the butt against your shoulder, so padding the butt of the crossbow will make it more comfortable.
Secure foam around the end of the stock that is placed on your shoulder with duct tape. , You need to have bolts that fit the channel of your crossbow.You can either purchase bolts from a store or make your own out of dowels.
To make your own bolts, cut a dowel to fit the size of the channel on your crossbow, and create a notch on the end of the dowel to hold the string. , Use a cardboard box or a piece of paper with circles to aim your crossbow at.
Make sure your target is away from other people. , Find a safe place to try out your crossbow.
Your crossbow should shoot your bolts around 65 to 100 feet.
Have fun! -
Step 3: Mark the area for a trigger.
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Step 4: Cut the rectangle out of the wood.
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Step 5: Make the groove to hold the string.
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Step 6: Cut the groove that holds the bolt.
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Step 7: Create the grip to hold when shooting.
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Step 8: Protect the wood with sealer.
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Step 9: Cut the PVC pipe.
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Step 10: Cut a groove into the ends of the PVC pipe.
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Step 11: Attach the pulleys.
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Step 12: Thread the string.
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Step 13: Check the string for accuracy.
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Step 14: Create a groove for the bow on the end of the stock.
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Step 15: Secure the PVC bow to the stock.
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Step 16: Test the bow.
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Step 17: Cut the wood for the trigger system.
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Step 18: Create a channel on the trigger.
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Step 19: Drill a hole in the L-shape wood.
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Step 20: Attach the trigger.
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Step 21: Sand the trigger.
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Step 22: Cut the handle.
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Step 23: Attach the handle to the stock.
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Step 24: Put padding on the butt.
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Step 25: Acquire the right size bolts.
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Step 26: Set up a target.
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Step 27: Test fire your crossbow.
Detailed Guide
You need to have the stock a comfortable length for your arms.Start with pine board that measures around 38 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 2 inches tall.
Hold it in your hands similar to a rifle with one end pressed against your shoulder and your hands gripping the wood.
Find a comfortable length and mark the wood where you want it cut.
The longer your stock is, the more power you will achieve.
However, it is not wise to go over 1 meter (3.2 feet) so the PVC bow won’t shatter.
Use a circular or hand saw to cut the wood on the mark you made for length.
Use safety goggles to make sure you don’t get sawdust in your eyes.
Saw in a well ventilated area. , Hold up the wood again as you would a crossbow stock, with one end pressed against your shoulder and your hands gripping the wood.
Make a small mark where it feels comfortable to have the trigger and the handle.
Draw a rounded rectangle shape in the center of where you marked the trigger.
This needs to be drawn on the top of the pine wood, not the side.
The rectangle should be around 4 inches long, and 1 inch wide.
Make sure the rectangle is drawn in the center of the wood where you have marked it. , Using a chisel, drill and wood rasp, gouge out the wood within the rectangular area while being very careful not to split the wood.
Use a combination of all three tools to slowly remove the wood inside the rectangle until you have a rectangle shaped hole.
Use sandpaper to smooth the area around the hole after you have finished. , The groove will create a place for the string to rest horizontally across the rectangle hole.
Use a chisel or wood rasp to create a 1/8 inch groove near the front of the trigger hole.
Sand the groove after it is cut. , This grove will be centered and extend from the rectangle hole to the end of the wood.
Find and mark the center of the end of the wood, farthest from the string groove.
Find and mark the center of the end of the rectangle hole, farthest from the string groove.
Draw a straight line between the two marks.
Use a drill, chisel, and hammer to carve a ¼ inch deep channel along the marked line.
Sand the groove until completely smooth. , Use a second piece of pine wood to make the grip.
Cut the wood to be around 8 inches long.
Use PVC glue or wood glue to attach it to the bottom of the stock, making sure it is centered.
Leave the glue to dry for at least an hour. , Use varnish, wood stain, or another wood sealer to ensure the wood will be protected from the elements.
Wait until the glue has dried completely before applying a sealer. , Use a hacksaw to cut a 1” PVC pipe into a 36 inch length.Make sure to measure and mark the length before cutting to ensure accuracy. , On each end of the PVC pipe, use a hacksaw to cut a small groove just large enough to fit a small wood screw. , The pulleys are attached to either end of the PVC bow, and the string will feed through them.
Insert a small wood screw on both ends of the PVC pipe.
Attach the pulleys to the wood screws on either end of the pipe using wire ties. , The nylon string needs to be threaded through both pulleys correctly for the crossbow to be able to fire.
Securely tie one end of the nylon string to the wood screw on the left side of the PVC pipe.
Bring the string across to the pulley on the right end of the PVC pipe, and loop it in and around the pulley.
Bring the sting back to the left side and loop the string in and around the pulley on the left.
Finally, bring the string back to the right and tie it securely to the right wood screw.
Do not pull the string tightly when you wrap around the pulleys or you will not be able to pull it back to fire the crossbow. , It’s important to have the string threaded correctly.
The string should run across the PVC pipe 3 times.
Do a quick test to make sure you have threaded the string correctly.
Pull on the string coming out of the pulleys.
The PVC pipe should flex like a bow.
If the pipe does not bend slightly like a bow would, pull the thread out and start again. , The wood of the stock needs to have a groove carved in for the round PVC pipe to snugly fit.
Use a wood rasp or chisel to carve out a rounded groove wide enough to fit the pipe on the end of the wood stock.
The groove needs to be deep enough to fit the PVC pipe securely.
Carve slowly while repetitively checking how the pipe fits.
This will ensure you end up with the perfect fit.
The pipe shouldn’t have room to move around. , The bow needs to be secured to the stock to ensure proper use.
You need to have the strings in the correct place for the crossbow to be effective.
Use duct tape to secure the PVC pipe to the stock by wrapping it around the pipe and the end of the wood stock.
Only the firing string coming out of the pulleys should be on top of the wood.
The other two strings should be on the bottom so they don’t interfere with the firing process. , You need to test to make sure the strings are in the right place and the bow will fire correctly.
Draw back the firing string and place it in the string notch on the rectangle hole.
It should be able to stay notched and ready by itself.
If the string will not stay notched, you need to make the groove deeper to hold the string. , Use a thinner piece (around 1 inch thick) of pine wood to create the trigger system.
Draw a rough L-shape on the wood.
The small (horizontal) portion of the “L” shape should be slightly smaller than the box you carved in the stock.
Cut the L-shape out of the wood with a saw.
This L-shaped piece of wood will be the trigger.
Sand it until it is smooth. , Use a wood rasp or chisel to carve about a ⅛ inch channel across the short part of the L-shaped wood. , The hole should be drilled down by the corner of the L, but centered in the wood.
The hole should be big enough to fit the nail you are using to attach it to the stock. , You need to attach the trigger onto the stock so that it will pop the string out of the groove when pulled.
Put L-shaped trigger in the rectangle hole with the groove facing upwards and the L pointing forward.
Make sure it has space to move without hitting the back of the hole.
Use a hammer to push a nail through the stock and hold the L-shaped trigger in place at the angle. , Use sand paper to fine tune the trigger until the action is smooth. , The handle is what you hold to steady the crossbow so you can pull the trigger.
Use pine wood to cut a 20 centimetre (8 inch) length to be used as the handle.
Sand it into the rough shape of a handle. , The handle should be attached behind the trigger so you can easily fire the crossbow.
Use PVC or wood glue to attach the handle to the stock.
Wait an hour for the glue to dry.
When the glue is dry, you can use a hammer to drive a few nails into the handle to firmly secure it on the stock if you would like. , You use a crossbow by pressing the butt against your shoulder, so padding the butt of the crossbow will make it more comfortable.
Secure foam around the end of the stock that is placed on your shoulder with duct tape. , You need to have bolts that fit the channel of your crossbow.You can either purchase bolts from a store or make your own out of dowels.
To make your own bolts, cut a dowel to fit the size of the channel on your crossbow, and create a notch on the end of the dowel to hold the string. , Use a cardboard box or a piece of paper with circles to aim your crossbow at.
Make sure your target is away from other people. , Find a safe place to try out your crossbow.
Your crossbow should shoot your bolts around 65 to 100 feet.
Have fun!
About the Author
Anthony Perez
Specializes in breaking down complex cooking topics into simple steps.
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