Bowfishing combines two concepts at once, it is hunting and fishing. Of course, this kind of fishing exists, it is called spearfishing, only today we’ll not talk about it, we’ll talk about how to hunt fish from land! A crossbow or bow is suitable for this kind of activity, arrows are often attached to the fishing line, which allows you to pull the fish out of the water without wetting your feet yourself.
But specifically, this design of the bow provides that the fish will have to be hunted while in the water, since the arrow does not attach to the fishing line.
To make such a bow is very simple, it is made from, it is made from scratch by a fragile girl, having a minimal set of tools. As a power element, two steel springs are used here. By adjusting their tension, you can adjust the power of the bow.
By the way, the bow is equipped with a launch system, so it can be called a crossbow.
With this crossbow you can:
1. To hunt for fish
2. Hunt land game
3. Use as a hand exercise machine
Materials and tools used by the author:
Material List:
-
- stubs, tees and others;
- strong rope (bowstring);
- bolts with nuts;
- glue for PVC;
- two springs;
- gum (as on fishing tackle).
Tool List:
- a hacksaw (the author uses a hacksaw blade);
- a screwdriver (or other piece of iron to burn holes);
- pliers;
- a piece of a wooden bar;
- a stove or other heat source;
- roulette;
- marker.
Onion making process:
Step one. Frame blanks
The frame of the device is made of three pieces of pipes, two pipes are used to make “shoulders”, and another piece for the handle, which is held by the shooter. This whole thing is going on a tee for PVC pipes.
We take measurements and cut pipes, cutting them is very simple, a hacksaw for metal will be enough.
A harsh girl from Cambodia carries out all work with a hacksaw blade, taking it with her bare hands.
Step Two We set the “shoulders” profile
The shoulders of the device should be flat at the edges, and they also have a certain bend, on the eye it is about 45 degrees. To do this whole thing, you need a heat source, you can use a hot air gun. In our case, the author uses hot coals to heat the pipe in the right places.
First you need to make the edges of the pipes flat, heat this part, then put the pipe on a flat surface and press it on top of the board. Hold the foot for a while, so that the plastic cools and hardens.We do the same with the second piece.
Now we will form the necessary bends. Again we heat the pipes, and then bend them on the leg to the desired angle. We keep the plastic cool for a while. That's all, the necessary parts are ready, you can try to temporarily assemble the structure by inserting them into the tee.
Step Three Making leverage
At the ends of the frame of the device there are levers, springs are attached to one side of them, and a bowstring is attached to the other. These levers are made of PVC pipes, they must be flat. And we already know how to do this. We heat the pipes over the coals, and then press on top of the board.
In conclusion, the author rounds off the ends of all pipes so as not to be damaged by sharp edges during the hunt. To do this, mark everything with a marker and cut it with a hacksaw blade. If you wish, you can still walk with a file or large sandpaper.
Step Four We make holes and set levers
The easiest way to drill holes is with a drill, so they will be neat. But what if there is no drill? Just take a piece of iron that is suitable in diameter, heat it in coals and burn holes. The author used a screwdriver, but if the screwdriver is good, it’s better not to heat it, since then the metal will not be strong anymore.
The diameter of the holes must be such that the connecting bolt can enter. Sand holes with a sandpaper or file so that there are no burrs. That's all, you can attach the levers, insert the bolts, and on the other hand we tighten the nuts. It is important to note that the levers should move freely on the bolts, so they cannot be tightened strongly. Nuts can be locked with another nut or super glue.
Step Five Install the springs
You can attach the springs, one end of the spring is attached to the frame, and the other to the end of the lever. We make holes and fasten the springs with bolts and nuts. Choose the correct spring tension, then everything will depend on how heavy the arrows will be. The heavier the boom, the more powerful the springs should be.
Step Six We collect all the nodes
We begin to assemble the bow / crossbow, for this you need good glue. You can use special glue for PVC or epoxy. We put glue on the ends of the pipes and install them in their places.
Seventh step. Bowstring
Install a bowstring on the device, as it will need a strong rope or a thick fishing line. We tie to the ends of the levers, pulling the springs slightly. We tie the rope, swim it to the ends using a lighter or matches.
Step Eight. Handle and trigger
Assemble the handle so that the bow can be comfortably held. It is made from a corner, a piece of pipe and a plug. We glue this whole thing.
Now you need to make a trigger device. Thanks to him, you will not need to constantly keep the bowstring cocked with your fingers. For a shot you just need to press the pedal mounted on the handle.
To make the trigger device, you will need a piece of pipe, first we heat it and make it flat. Next, we bend the pipe in the form of the letter "G" in the shape of a handle. At the end of the part, form a hook for which the bow will cling.
It remains to install the trigger device. To do this, we wind it to the handle with an elastic band. And so that the gum does not slip, make slots on the handle using a hacksaw blade.
Step Nine. Done!
That's all, the unit is ready. It remains to make arrows under it, as well as a quiver, for their storage. A quiver can be made from a PVC pipe by tying a rope to it and drowning one side.
You can take the first shot. The handle of the device is removable, with it it works like a crossbow, and without a handle like a regular bow. According to the author, if fishing and hunting were unsuccessful, onions can be used as a simulator for training the muscles of the back and arms. Have a good hunting!))