New Pics of Homemade Crossbow!

[Colonel Hawthorne]

Since the bow is not (as I understand it) going to be used 'seriously', how about a small brass telescope as the sight?  Mr Google returns many interesting possibilities, and his colleague Mr Ebay can almost certainly provide the real thing.

[savatreatabvr]

Since the bow is not (as I understand it) going to be used 'seriously', how about a small brass telescope as the sight?  Mr Google returns many interesting possibilities, and his colleague Mr Ebay can almost certainly provide the real thing.

Yes I'm currently searching online for the right brass or copper scope and at the same time entertaining the thought of building my own.

[Clym Angus]

[…]
So what was the reasoning making it all out of metal? You said yourself (and I heartily concur) that no-one walks away clean from a sculpting job like that. It's a lot of work to take on. Was it an aesthetic choice?

[savatreatabvr]

I've basically been told to stuff my enthusiasm in a sack when it come to expressing my excitement about this crossbow I've built! I love it! What do you think and I would appreciate constructive criticism about the build and welcome new ideas on what I should do to it next.

[Ranger Reid]

Nice.

[von Corax]

*MOD HAT ON*
Let's have no more mention of the prior discussion, alright?
*MOD HAT OFF*

Ooh, shiny!

[savatreatabvr]

*MOD HAT ON*
Let's have no more mention of the prior discussion, alright?
*MOD HAT OFF*

Ooh, shiny!

Yes sir! Your politeness is much appreciated. I'm considering a steampunk themed string stop. My steampunk imagination has writers block, got any ideas on making this string stop steampunk?

[Colonel Hawthorne]

Some more information, for those among us with little knowledge of the mechanics of crossbows, would be appreciated.  What exactly is a string stop, and where does it fit on the bow?

First thought was brass handles from bathroom/kitchen taps (faucets, if you prefer), but they may be too big and /or heavy.

[Ranger Reid]

String stops are rubber bushings that the string slaps into when the bolt is released.   So it goes in between the limbs and the string, usually mounted to the barrel (the main trunk) or the cross frame [ the bracket that holds the limb(s) ]

[Colonel Hawthorne]

Thank you, sir.

So those black knobby things are the rubbery bits that the string hits?  I withdraw any suggestion of tap handles!

[Burgess Shale]

I like how this has turned out. It reminds me of something that could have come from China Mieville's New Crobuzon books.

[savatreatabvr]

String stops are for stopping the string once released to go no further than the relaxed position between the prod and the string before cocked, I believe it's called braced height. This is mainly to lessen vibration, helps string longevity and improves accuracy. I think I'm pretty much on my own on this one.

[CPT_J_Percell]

Ouu shiny but In my personal oppinion....
Its needs some pretty etchings on it as its a bit plain.

String stop? ............. Brass candleholder shaped objects maybe.

[von Corax]

I'm having trouble picturing what it looks like when it's attached.

[CPT_J_Percell]

I'm having trouble picturing what it looks like when it's attached.

[Clym Angus]

Could it not be coated in leather?

[Drew P]

Any WIP shots?

[savatreatabvr]

Ouu shiny but In my personal oppinion....
Its needs some pretty etchings on it as its a bit plain.

String stop? ............. Brass candleholder shaped objects maybe.

I agree, shiny but plain! I like the idea of etching but I'm no artist and destroying the prod is not an option, it's one of a kind! It's not a museum piece it's just my baby.

[von Corax]

How hard are the rubber knobs? I'm picturing something fashioned from wood, with a brass ferrule where the knob fits onto the rod.

[selectedgrub]

Any WIP shots?

Conveniently ignored.

[Doctor Runes]

I would remove the cable clamps and replace with Nikopress sleeves. The reduction in sprung weight will give you more power.
 A really nice looking job, well done.

[Ranger Reid]

I'm having trouble picturing what it looks like when it's attached.

That picture looks like an Excalibur.  How appropriate.  (I have one  )

[Steamworkshop]

It's just too shiny and new looking. A good patina would go a long way towards steaming this up some.

Chemically tarnish the whole thing then buff up the high spots leaving the recesses dark. It would improve the look without actually changing the function at all.

[Ranger Reid]

It's just too shiny and new looking. A good patina would go a long way towards steaming this up some.

Chemically tarnish the whole thing then buff up the high spots leaving the recesses dark. It would improve the look without actually changing the function at all.

I like that idea a lot.   That would do a lot for it.   I am personally opposed to putting non functional gears or other faux stamped decorations.  If we lived in a real steampowered world, some tools would still be simple.

[Otto Von Pifka]

the string stop you show by itself could be radiused on all edges to soften its look and even given a different finish to either match or contrast the xbow. are you happy with the length of pull for the stock? if you are looking for more length then maybe a nice piece of hardwood or brass to space the butt. brass can have some lightening holes in the interior to reduce weight. you could also make wood foregrip panels to fill in some of the skeletal front and to help blend in the string stop. I would solder the cable ends to prevent untwisting and maybe even solder on some brass or copper ferrules to decorate the ends. how hard is cocking it now? perhaps an extension under the fore end to provide a little more leverage? something a bit like a backwards bayonet. I've always like the look of shotgun scopes with the lack of the front bell, and the reduced magnification makes it easier for me to find the target quicker, but I'm blind as a bat so pinch of salt. about the only other thing might be some sort of grip cover, so you don't end up with a black palm from the aluminum or cold hands from the metal conducting away the heat. also, instead of a filler in the fore end, maybe a palm block like on target rifles, sort of like an airforce awacs radar dome but in wood and under the frame. maybe with some subtle finger grooves for better ergonomics.