My first X bow - finished pics pg 2

[iowabow]

I still dont get how it fires

[iowabow]

Ok now i think the string fits in the groove and the peg pushs it up?

[bow101]

If you look at the the second figure in the photo, It has a long stick type trigger which pivots and pushes  on a sort of dowel. This releases the string and bolt.

[iowabow]

Looks like the lever pushes up on the peg. So the string has to ride above center.

[bow101]

Ya not sure if that's my fave way to go. I would lean more towards the roller nut trigger myself. It's been tried and true and tested for hundreds of years.
Sometime I'll get a photo of my design, it works fine, but only good for low weight up to maybe 60#. Kind of proud of it though I designed it myself.

[twilightandmist]

my question is how you dug the trough or the bolt? ive been meaning to make one, but could never quite make heads or tails of that part

[Shaun]

Bolt grove cut with carving gouge and finished with sandpaper on a dowel.  I will try to make trigger mechanism clear in finished photos. I have made a couple of changes since first post; thickened lower trigger arm because it was flexing too much and changed the top clip to screw attachment for access to trigger shelf and pin. I know this added metal to the design but I used brass flat head screws which were available in the middle ages. Final coat of finish drying and bolts under construction. More pics real soon.

[Shaun]

Not done making bolts but have finish and final modifications done so here ya go







Side view shows trigger lever, This can be a separate piece like the ones in Dane's diagrams posted before or part of the original tiller piece like this one. The wood flexes to hinge as handle is pulled up. Overlay added to make more stiff as it was flexing too much to allow use from the back end where leverage is greatest.



Modified spring clip with brass screws to allow access to trigger area for cleaning, waxing and repair.



Trigger details... this is a "shelf and push-pin" style trigger. The string hooks on the shelf and the pin pushes it up to release. This is not as smooth and accurate as a rolling block but much simpler to construct.





I love the look of the short yew prod (bow) when viewed for the firing angle

[skyarrow]

Man that turned out sweet

[iowabow]

great job

[killir duck]

well done! much better than my last crossbow i really like the way you did the lever simple yet highly functional

[dwardo]

Never been much of a crossbow fan if at all. But thats lovely. 

[Dane]

All the way around excellent, Shaun.

Dane

[iowabow]

I got to shoot this x bow while at Shaun's place and it was a hoot to play with. It is super simple and very fast for its size. He did a great job on the build. Shaun has a fantastic work shop and is very much the craftsman. He keep pulling out other bows as well that I tested out...yew, osage elb, ratan, hickery, and a sapling bow with bark on. It was fun to see what other people make and do with there spare time. Also thanks for letting me hunt, that area is golden it seemed like every 6 inches there was a foot print from deer.

[Roy]

That is pretty neat, Shaun.