Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Del the cat on June 13, 2017, 03:32:14 pm

Title: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism & Smashed Prod!
Post by: Del the cat on June 13, 2017, 03:32:14 pm
I've been toying with making a decent crossbow for about 45 years, I made a fibreglass/rock maple laminated prod way back then.
Now I have a bit of a workshop I thought I'd finish the job.
I've been building the trigger mechanism (inspired by someone else's design off Youtube) of course I've put my own twist on it and made it fairly compact. It's made as a module that can be let into the stock and easily removed.
More pics and detail on the blog:-
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/trigger-mechanism_13.html (http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/trigger-mechanism_13.html)
I though it might amuse/interest you guys who work with firearms although it's prob' a bit agricultural by comparison.
It's not all smoothed cleaned and finished yet, but it's been bench tested and the safety catch has a lovely click to it  ::)
I even got to use some of my old Dad's BA taps and dies for the safety catch operating peg ... nice to remember him, he'd have been ticked by it...
Del
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: half eye on June 13, 2017, 03:56:41 pm
Brilliant, I say......what with the mechanism laid out on the sketches and your other ingenious posts I think it looks very Leonardo-ish....just brilliant sir.
rich 
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: GlisGlis on June 14, 2017, 08:17:18 am
good work Del
nice hand made springs and good idea to make the entire trigger removable!!
I'm toying with the idea of a pellet crossbow and made some small scale test. Only wood and plastic triggers at present
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: BowEd on June 14, 2017, 08:23:18 am
Ingenious Del.
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on June 14, 2017, 08:37:31 am
Very cool apparatus. A cross bow is on my "to-do" list, just down a bit towards the bottom.
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: Del the cat on June 14, 2017, 09:54:41 am
Cheers guys, I'll post the whole bow when it's done.
Del
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: FilipT on June 14, 2017, 03:41:07 pm
Del, what will you use for the bow in the cross bow?

Btw, there is very simple trigger mechanism which is basically a circle with a cut off, that is what medieval crossbows used.
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: Del the cat on June 14, 2017, 04:57:14 pm
For now I'll be using a fibreglass/maple laminated bow that I made about 40years ago but I aim to make a bamboo backed Yew heartwood one eventually.
I've used the simple revolving nut type trigger on other crossbows.
Del
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: FilipT on June 15, 2017, 02:41:44 am
What poundage is it and how long?
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism
Post by: Del the cat on June 15, 2017, 04:55:03 am
What poundage is it and how long?
The bow is about 100# @15"
Here's a pic... I'll post it all when finished :)
Del
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism... smashed Prod
Post by: Del the cat on June 15, 2017, 11:57:31 am
Damn the prod smashed when I tried to cock it. I did have my suspicions as it was V hard to brace and it is 40 yrs old!
Still it was only a try out... the real aim is to build a boo yew prod.
Del
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism & Smashed Prod!
Post by: JW_Halverson on June 15, 2017, 01:50:19 pm
Excellent!  Great work smashing the rotten effing-glass prod!  I have to wonder if your subconscious 'prodded' you into doing this?
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism & Smashed Prod!
Post by: FilipT on June 16, 2017, 01:18:54 am
What about spring steel rod? Aren't wooden rods really long?
Title: Re: Crossbow Trigger Mechanism & Smashed Prod!
Post by: Del the cat on June 16, 2017, 03:27:48 am
What about spring steel rod? Aren't wooden rods really long?
That's the challenge  :)
Steel is too heavy and I've been there, done that!
Del