How to Make a Pocket-Sized Crossbow

Many crossbows need the aid of a machine to draw the string back into firing position. The minicrossbow discussed here does not require such strength to load. In fact, the minicrossbow can be made from household items, and the string, or rubber band in this instance, can be pulled back with two pinched fingers. This miniature crossbow does not require woodworking skills or any advanced tools -- just a couple of Bic pens and a rubber band.

Things You'll Need

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

    • 1

      Strip the two ballpoint pens by prying off the writing head of the pen with your fingernail. Pull the head of the pen away from the body and remove the ink tube in the center of the pen. Pry off the end cap. You're left with two tubes.

    • 2

      Choose one of the pen tubes to be the arms of the cross. With a ruler, find the center of the tube and mark it. Use a 13/64 drill bit to drill a hole through the tube on the mark.

    • 3

      Slide the other pen tube, now identified as the firing tube, through the hole. Push it approximately one-third of the way through so that the assembly resembles a cross. Hold the pens together and tape the joint firmly using a layered crisscross pattern; use duct or electrical tape.

    • 4

      Stand the assembly up so it looks like a cross sitting on the table. Take a knife and score two notches on each rim-end of the "arms"; one on the top; one on the bottom. It makes a groove that the rubber band can feed through.

    • 5

      Feed the rubber band through the grooves on each end of the arms. Hold the rubber band tight near the grooves and tape the band down. Wrap the end of the "arms" pen with layers of duct or electrical tape, pinning the rubber band in place.

    • 6

      Insert a projectile, such as a wooden barbecue skewer, into the firing chamber (pen tube). Secure the end of the projectile to the rubber band, pinch it and and pull back. Aim the projectile and take target practice.