Making a Medieval Style 100 Pound PVC Crossbow Overview Blast from the Past
Here’s a blast from the past, a build we did back in 2015. This is an overview of the whole build, including building a 100# PVC crossbow, string, and bolts. For more detailed instruction, check out the links below for the different parts of the build. Full build coming soon! Time stamps below the materials list!
While I use more expensive furniture grade PVC, this bow can be made with plumbing and electrical grade PVC to bring the total material cost below $10 per crossbow.
The stock is simple and is based loosely on early medieval types. The lock or trigger is also based on early wood crossbow triggers and is known as a pin or Skane lock. Using PVC, we can make a strong and reliable trigger mechanism with safety, a bolt retainer, and a stirrup. One of the biggest issues with the last 100 pound crossbow build along was how hard it is to string the bow. In this series we'll go over how to make a simple rope stringer to help make getting the string on much easier and much safer.
Thanks for watching and enjoy!
Material List for Crossbow -
32” long piece of 2x3 (1.5“x2.5”) lumber
49“ length of 1/2” Schedule 40 PVC electrical conduit
2.5“ to 3” length of 1/2“ dowel for trigger pin
Six 2” screws or similar fasteners
30“ long piece of 1” Schedule 40 PVC pipe
4 Feet of Paracord for string
15 Feet of Paracord, 10 additional for wrapping bow
10 Feet of 1/2“ or larger rope for bow stringer
Heat source (heat gun, torch, stovetop) and flattening jig
1/2” and 3/4” drill/spade bits and a drill or drill press
Saw, files, and sandpaper for cutting and shaping pieces
Material List for String -
Dacron or Polyester string material (approx 35 pound test)
Serving thread, nylon or other string serving thread
Serving jig or string server
Material List for 6 Bolts -
Six 3/8” straight grained hardwood dowels, 16-18 inches long
Six archery points, tie-in points, or PEX points
Twelve feather or plastic fletchings. Duct tape also works
Glue for points and glue or tape for fletchings
File or grinder for tapering points and shaping nocks
Time Stamps
Introduction - 0:03
Shaping the Stock - 3:10
Drilling Holes - 3:50
Cutting the Stock - 4:04
Cutting the Bolt Groove - 4:11
Finishing - 4:46
Building the Trigger and Attachments - 5:18
Cutting Pipe - 5:24
Trigger Lever - 5:42
Safety - 7:15
Bolt Clip - 7:55
Stirrup - 8:55
PVC Prod - 10:15
Attaching the Prod - 12:04
Paracord String - 14:04
Bow Stringer - 14:56
Stringing the Bow - 16:06
Flemish Twist Bowstring - 16:25
First Loop - 17:15
Second Loop - 18:13
Serving - 18:30
Dowel Bolts - 18:52
Shaping Bolt - 19:06
Fletching - 19:14
Gluing Points - 20:28
Shooting the Crossbow - 20:47
Video Links to Full Length Builds
Full Build Video - Coming Soon!
Introduction - https://youtu.be/qU_tc1CWIrU?si=a_5ZDXEzBXuBaYWS
Shaping the Stock - https://youtu.be/CQQjY-EOvdM?si=sFMwa-DzucSWgXHr
Building the Trigger and Attachments- https://youtu.be/SUQLQ--zm0k?si=2XUfDMVoWAqMe5Wz
Building the PVC Prod - https://youtu.be/jhHcLVh7oEs?si=RYQoIJJEZwn97I28
Paracord String and Bow Stringer - https://youtu.be/4QX2qBKpfno?si=zW0Zw3MwDeoxiw3U
Making a Flemish Twist Bowstring - https://youtu.be/NK6Ac4dN7f0?si=E0Icd7MnLExrVLrQ
Making Crossbow Bolts with Wood Dowels - https://youtu.be/vsco1pdXLjQ?si=_l80lNjdbXj4aU0f
Shooting the Finished Crossbow - https://youtu.be/X0bUUPJtkCg?si=roUl5Wvj4N6z9asf
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