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How to Make a Crossbow From Scratch

Crossbows have been used throughout history as a hunting tool and weapon. Unlike traditional bows, a crossbow is a bow mounted on a stock. The bow string is pulled tight around a trigger and the projectile is launched when the trigger is released. Building a crossbow from scratch will require a few items that can be found at a local hardware store.

Things You'll Need

3 foot piece of wood
2 foot piece of wood
1 large screw
2 small nails
Power drill
Elastic band
Large clothes pin
Glue
Chisel
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Place the longer piece of wood on a flat surface. This becomes the stock. Position the shorter piece of wood 4 inches from the top of the longer piece. This becomes the crosspiece. Align the pieces so that you have a "T." Use a drill and wood screw to secure the pieces. Make sure the screw is long enough to go through both pieces of wood, but short enough that it does not stick out the back end.
- 2
  Align two short nails on either side of the crosspiece about 2 inches from the end. Use a hammer to drive the nails into place, allowing the nail heads to stick out about one half inch.
- 3
  Tie one end of an elastic band to one of the nails. Pull the free end towards the back of the stock. Pull it tight.
- 4
  Place your finger on top of the rubber band at the base of the stock to hold it in place and stretch the free end up towards the opposite nail head and tie it.
- 5
  Glue a large clothes pin to the top of the stock with the end that opens facing the front of the bow. Position it close to the bottom of the stock. This becomes your trigger. To arm the bow, open the clothes pin and pull the bowstring back. Clamp the bowstring inside the clothes pin, arm your crossbow and press down on the clothes pin to release the bowstring.
- 6
  Use a hammer and chisel to make a narrow groove along the stock from the top of the bow to the trigger if the arrow is rubbing against the stock when launching. You can also correct this by pulling the bowstring nails out slightly.

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