How to Make Small Hand Crossbows

The crossbow was originally designed for hunting and to be used as a weapon. The short draw on the string can store a large amount of energy. So much energy that some crossbows require the help of a machine in order to draw the bolt back into firing position. Unless you have incredible woodworking skills and a fully operational shop, you won't be able to make such a weapon. You can, however, make a small hand crossbow from common household items for target practice.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 Bic ballpoint pens
  • Ruler
  • Marker
  • Drill
  • 13/64-inch drill bit
  • Duct or electrical tape
  • Rubber band
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Instructions

    • 1

      Empty and strip the Bic ballpoint pens. Pry the heads of the pens off using your fingernail and pull the ink tubes out. Pry the end caps off using your fingernail, leaving two empty pen tubes.

    • 2

      Measure to the middle of the one of the pen tubes using a ruler. Mark the middle with a marker or felt-point pen. Drill straight through the pen tube, on the mark, using a 13/64-inch drill bit.

    • 3

      Push the other pen tube through the hole. Push it about 2/5ths the way through, or until the pens resemble a cross. Pinch the pens together and tape them securely by overlapping tape in a crisscross pattern over the joint.

    • 4

      Make two notches on each rim-end of the drilled pen with a knife. This pen will serve the purpose of bow limbs and you'll need to make grooves for the rubber band to feed through. Make one notch on the top of the rim and another on the bottom of the rim so the band will feed through while being parallel with the firing chamber pen.

    • 5

      Stretch the rubber band tight over the bow limb pen and work it into the notches. Hold the rubber band down near the notches and tape the band tightly to the bow limb pen. Wrap the tape around three or four times.

    • 6

      Put the dull side of a wooden skewer, or any other thin projectile that fits, into the short side of the firing chamber. Pull the dull end out of the long side of the firing chamber and secure it to the rubber band. Pinch the band and dull side with your fingers, pull back to gather tension, aim and fire.