Crossbow Bolts

[Lezle]

Gidday.

After reading Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey's book and talking to a chap, Nathan, at Taupo, I decided to make my own crossbow. If I knew how to put pictures up I would put one up, but I don't so this will have to do for the moment; it looks very much similar to this:

http://www.crossbowbook.com/page_59.html

It has a 120 lb. bow.

I now however have found that bolts are a bit of a different story. I have made several test bolts out of Rimu. The problem I have found is that getting period looking heads to fit half inch thick bolts is rather hard; I have glued, nailed, all sorts of things, but alas although the bolt will fly straight and true the pulling of the bolt out of the target rips the head off every time.

So here is my question: Does anyone make period looking "real" (as opposed to combat as I believe they are called) looking bolts? Is there a great retailer overseas that could be recommended? Target or broadhead doesn't matter. Basically all I need are arrow heads that are large enough in diameter (1/2 inch) that look good and that won't come off.

Jolly good.

-Lezle

[Nathan]

Welcome to the dark side - bugger the crooked stick bunch.

If you can get hold of Paul from TMS you might have some luck. Paul has made a number of Crossbows and he was saying that he may be making some period bolt heads. Best bet is get his details from Darryl (Fungus).

Nathan

[Lezle]

Great. Thanks very much.

-Lezle

[pmel018]

What are you using as a target??? I just picked up a 275ib crossbow from my old mate Tod. After a lesson in using the goats foot lever, we had a little practice in about a foot of snow . His target was a large "round" of plaited straw. It was no problem to remove either the period bolts or the practice one from the target, remember to twist before pulling.
Picture of my bow, the one in the foreground

Phil

[Bogue]

Hey Phil,

Show us ya goats foot


Cheers
Bogue

[pmel018]

Hi Bogue
I'm away to SWASH in a wee while, can post a picture or two when I get back(Monday)
Phil

[Lezle]

Gidday.

Here are some pictures. I am not quite finished the trigger. I will probably paint it.

Yes, I should have been a bit clearer; I got some broadhead arrow heads from Advanced Archery as they were the only place that I could find that had heads for sale. The heads I bought are for 1/4 inch arrows. I therefore had to try and meld them to a 1/2 inch bolt. As I have already described, it didn't quite work as planned. Never to mind.

Those are fantastic crossbows.
I, at present, am using a boogie board for a target. Not the best I know, but I had to test on something. Haha.

Thanks.

-Lezle

[Ben]

Try http://www.nzap.co.nz/comp_points_nocks.php#Points - they have points in various sizes although they are all a bit smaller than you are after

[Lezle]

Thanks for the link. I toodled down to Advanced Archery again and got some target heads. They seem to do the job. So...

Behold! Test bolts. Vivid is for scale. Broadhead I was using. Leather flights on the top one.

-Lezle

[Frosty]

i can get half inch bodkin arrow heads...

[NigelT]

[Frosty]

i think it worked out at 3 dollars a piece?
ill check on it again and let you know.

[Lezle]

I would be interested in some of those.

-Lezle

[quentin]

Yeah I'll have a few too !

Q

[Frosty]

as long as you agree to put a few through my sheild...maybe while im holding it...

which brings me to another question... do you guys bobtail your bolts or are they parallel?
or is there another way you shape them...?