OT: Crossbow question

Feezle

Feezle

Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
519
I figure someone here will know this.

With a compound crossbow, if you remove the string, do the cables force the limbs to keep shape? I didn't think you could remove the string without the limbs straightening out but I have someone telling me otherwise now.

What I'm wanting to do is turn my Horton into a con-safe bow by removing he string and replacing it with an elastic string. I thought I was going to have to make some fake limbs but if what he is saying is correct, the cables hold the tension on the limbs.

Any ideas?
 
You can't unstring a compound like that no. You would have to pull ALL the cables and let the limbs fully relax. (long time horton owner, I still hate the compund crossbows though. The 225# recurves are just more reliable and on heavy ammo significantly more powerful. It also fulfils the purpose of a crossbow better which is simplicity and reliability. Sorry I'll get off my soap box. )
 
Feezle -

I have no idea what a con-safe bow is. Never even heard of one. With the reference to elastic, is that some kind of child-safeing phrase) (never married, no kids so no clue 8-)

It doesn't matter what type of bow you pick - recurve, compound or crossbow (compound or otherwise), EVERY bow I have ever used or seen has curvature to its limbs, even after all cable tension has been relieved. Even my stick bows from the Philippines and Australia have a bend to them, whether that is due to construction or to wood just having a tendency to curve when one-sided pressure is applied to it, I can't be certain. The limbs would have significantly less curvature with the tension off.

If you wanted to have the bow be relaxed, but still have the cabling attached for looks, any archery shop could easily de-tension the bow and replace the bowstring with a longer one that would keep the cabling in place and displayed, but not have any tension applied.

Zzzz
 
I essentially want to disable the bow so it cannot fire so I don't get hassled by security at conventions. I was hoping the cables could support the limbs and I could just throw something in there in place of the string. Kind of like how Norman's stunt bow is. He can draw it with one finger.
 
OK - I'm slow - "convention-safe" 8-)

I guess if I ever went to cons, I'd remember that stuff.

I don't know where you live, but there should be an archery shop somewhere near by.

They can use their bow press to detention the bow and remove the bowstring and replace it with a longer bow string (that would normally be used on a regular compound bow or a recurve bow) that just takes up enough slack to keep the cable system from unspooling. Then you the whole system in place with the judicious use of small black zip ties nipped short.

You could then demonstrate to con security that

1) the bow string was too slack to shoot an arrow (since it would probably still be rather slack when pulled back to the "catch" or what ever the mechanism is that holds the bow in a cocked status) and

2) that the whole system was also "safed" by having the system pulleys "locked in place".

Cost would be limited to the price of a string and a few zip ties and the bow could always be easily returned to normal usage at the shop by trading out strings.

zzz
 
I owned a gun and archery shop for years and worked on lots of crossbows. They are all different and I would highly recommend letting a bowsmith look at your bow and see what they think. With every bow being slightly different there is not one blanket answer that would work for all crossbows.

Garth
 
I actually know another Daryl costumer who just took his in. They took the string off and the cables support the limbs just fine. I'm gonna take mine in to get it done this weekend. It will be a hude load off not having to worry about security getting pissy with me. This con is gonna be insane. Can't wait! Any Ohio or Kentucky hogs gonna be there? HorrorHound Weekend in Cincy.
 
Feezle said:
I actually know another Daryl costumer who just took his in. They took the string off and the cables support the limbs just fine. I'm gonna take mine in to get it done this weekend. It will be a hude load off not having to worry about security getting pissy with me. This con is gonna be insane. Can't wait! Any Ohio or Kentucky hogs gonna be there? HorrorHound Weekend in Cincy.
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this works with my Parker. I CAN NOT attest to the fact that it will work for yours.

If you cock your bow, then use a stout metal cable run to hold the limbs in their cocked position, you will be able to decock your bow, remove the string, and replace it

That's the only way i know to restring a strong crossbow without a bow press
 
How do you decock a crossbow? Wasn't aware you could do that. Maybe mine just doesn't have the option?
 
Feezle said:
I actually know another Daryl costumer who just took his in. They took the string off and the cables support the limbs just fine. I'm gonna take mine in to get it done this weekend. It will be a hude load off not having to worry about security getting pissy with me. This con is gonna be insane. Can't wait! Any Ohio or Kentucky hogs gonna be there? HorrorHound Weekend in Cincy.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great time. Be sure to take pics if you can.

Garth
 
Oh there will be tons of pics. I have a larger group this time and with half the cast there it should be a very good time.
 
Feezle said:
How do you decock a crossbow? Wasn't aware you could do that. Maybe mine just doesn't have the option?
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With a cocking rope and the trigger. Preferably with someone else pulling the trigger so you can keep a firm grip on the cocking rope.
 
I ended up just taking it in to Dick's and they took it off for me. Got some funny looks with my Daryl hair, winged vest, and carrying a crossbow. :). I enjoy screwing with people.
 
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