Horn crossbow?

[bownarra]

Steam is best for heating the horn. I wouldn't use the heat gun. Too dry.

[bownarra]

Stuck - you must have had some dodgy horns then.
Making a 1000#+ crossbow wasn't what the op had in mind I presume....

[stuckinthemud]

Yes I think you're right about that, mine splits apart very easily

[BowEd]

Yes the distributor or his preparer may have damaged it in some way.

[Selfbowman]

Bownara I have used the heat gun successfully on gemsbok both to flatten and correct the limbs laminates from side to side. I keep the heat moving though. Alan Case recommended bamboo on the 
back. I am experimenting for the most part. If all horn fails or is doggy I will thin it a bit and put bamboo on the limbs.  Arvin

[BowEd]

I'd tend to agree with Alans' recommended backing there.It'll do the job and help with stability also.
What glues to use do you have in mind Arvin?

[Selfbowman]

Ed I have been using  smooth on for the gemsbok with success. I was told  that was best. I have good hide glue and unibond.   Arvin

[BowEd]

Same here Arvin.It'll do the job.Never used unibond yet though.

[Selfbowman]

The bamboo is 14” node to end of bamboo.

[BowEd]

You've thought the node placement out good too.Long spaced node intervals on that bamboo.
I think it's quite the interesting project Arvin.When done take it along to Mo Jam.
I can't help but feel that bamboo will be put under extreme tension work though with that amount of reflex.Might work though.It'll be a test for it that's for sure.Other bamboo backed bows have been successful with that amount of reflex.This one won't be drawn near as far as the bow would too which gives it a better chance of survival.
Remember to document the building of it.

[Selfbowman]

Ed Alan said the same about the bamboo being taken to the max! If doesn’t ruin the horn if she was to go I’ll go back with thicker boo and take off more horn. Arvin

[Selfbowman]

I don’t think I will be able to get more than about 18” of draw if that much with 15” limbs. Question:
Would string angle be better with the limbs close together or farther apart??
Arvin

[loefflerchuck]

I’ve seen a couple medieval French made crossbows at the Met museum in New York. Multiple strips with heavy sinew backing and a thick sinew wrap. They look to be over 300# draw. No need to groove the horn strips with the sinew wrap.

[Selfbowman]

Ed I was told unibond don’t stick to horn that good. But never tried it.

[Selfbowman]

A bit of Osage for filler.