How to Build Your Own Bow Press

A bow press is used to create and repair archery bows. An archery bow press shapes the curve of the bow to ensure shots can be fired straight and accurately. To build this bow press, you will need to have fairly good welding skills and equipment. Once the bow press has been built, you can create and repair as many bows as you like.

Things You'll Need

  • Table
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Protector
  • 2 hollow steel bars, 1 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch, 2 feet long
  • Hollow steel bar, 43 inches by 3/4 inch
  • Welder
  • Welder's mask
  • 2 steel brackets
  • 8 metal squares, 4 inches by 6 inches
  • 2 flat steel sheets, 4 inches by 2 inches
  • 2 flat steel sheets, 2 feet long
  • 4 flat steel bars, 2 feet long
  • Steel bolts, 3/8 inch, 1 box
  • 4 handles
  • Steel screws, 1 box
  • Hitch pin
  • Drill
  • Drill bit, 1 inch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay out the 1 1/2-inch hollow steel bars on a table or work bench and measure a 45-degree angle on one end of each bar with the protractor. Mark the angles and cut the bars.

    • 2

      Drill one hole half an inch from the top of the 4-inch side of each 4-inch by 6-inch metal square. These holes need to be in the center of the width of the squares.

    • 3

      Place two of the 4-inch by 6-inch squares on the ends of the 4-inch by 2-inch flat metal squares and weld the pieces together to make a "U" shape, with the two holes you drilled lining up. Do this process one more time with the other 4-inch by 2-inch pieces.

    • 4

      Place the 43-inch steel bar on the table or work bench and measure 4 inches from the end on the left and right sides of the bar. Mark these measurements with a pencil. Line the 45-degree angle cuts up with 4-inch marks on the 43-inch steel bar and weld the bars together to make a "T" shape.

    • 5

      Weld a bracket to each end of the 43-inch bar.

    • 6

      Lay out the 2-foot-long bars and drill 1-inch holes in half-inch intervals down the bars. Start at one end and measure half an inch and drill the first hole.

    • 7

      Place the 4-inch by 2-inch pieces that have been welded to the 4-inch by 6-inch squares at the end of each 2-foot bar and weld them together. Place the "U" shape over one of the 1 1/2-inch bars and slide a handle through the holes in the 4-inch by 6-inch squares. Place the other "U" shape over the other 1 1/2-inch bar and slide a handle through the holes.

    • 8

      Pull the two 2-foot bars over the middle, to make an "X" shape, and place a hinge bolt through the holes on the bars to hold them in place.

    • 9

      Screw the remaining 4-inch by 6-inch squares to where the 43-inch bars and the 1 1/2-inch bars are connected. Use the metal screws on each side of the weld and slide the other handles through the holes you drilled earlier.