If you want to make a inexpensive effective bow take the instructions below and play with the idea. Great easy winter project. You can get up to 60 lb by putting in smaller diameter pipe inside each other. Great for adults and children. If you get a chance visit YouTube Backyard bows. The have more advanced technique but this gives you the basic ideas. Have fun. The time required to make this bow will depend on you, but for anyone who even a small amount of experience, this project should take no longer than a weekend. The materials are cheap and minimal, as are the tools required. This bow would make an excellent beginner project for a child who wants a classy compound but lacks the advanced skills needed for more traditional methods. To get started, purchase or locate the following materials: (1) 1 ¼" PVC pipe 6ft. long (2) PVC end caps, 1 ¼" (2) Eye-bolts and nuts (1) Spool of cord (25 - 50lbs pressure) (1) 2 x 4 wood, approx. 12" long (2) 4"L x ¼"W bolts and nuts (2) Washers Optional Materials: (1) 1" PVC pipe 6ft. long (optional) (1) Spray paint (1) Wood stain Tools Needed: Drill ¼" Drill bit Tape Measure Jigsaw Sand paper (power sander optional) Rasp Hack saw Work bench Clamps Wood sealant Step 1: You'll need a PVC pipe approx. 6ft. in length, shorter for children. The pipe will be 1 ¼" in diameter, so the poundage will not be that high - somewhere in the thirty range. If you need it to be stronger, slide the optional 1" diameter 6' PVC pipe inside of the larger one. Cut the PVC pipe exactly in half with the hacksaw so you have two 3' pieces of pipe. Step 2: Draw a template over on one side of the 2 x 4 - this will be the handle. The handle can be as complicated or basic as you would like the only requirement is the top and bottom 2" remains flat. Using the rasp and sandpaper, shape and smooth out the rough-cut design until it makes a rounded handle comfortable to hold. Once it is shaped, stain it whatever color you would like and seal it. Set it in a dry and warm area to dry overnight while you work on the rest of the bow. Step 3: Boil a pot of water and hold one end of each PVC pipe in the boiling water. I highly suggest doing this outside on a grill, as PVC is known to cause liver cancer when heated and the fumes inhaled. Warming it in water helps reduce the risk, but doing so outside will ensure that you'll be relatively safe. After the end is heated a great deal and you can bend the end of the plastic simply by pushing it on the bottom of the pan, remove it from the water and quickly press the bottom two inches completely flat using a rolling pin on a smooth location. Now dip it in cold water to cool it off so that it doesn't bend. Repeat with one end of the other pipe. Step 4: At this point, you need to spray paint the PVC pipes whatever color you would like. If you do choose to paint them, they will need to dry overnight. Also, paint the end caps what ever color and let them dry also. Step 5: It should be the next day now. Everything should be dry and ready to go. Using the drill and ¼" drill bit, drill a hole directly through the center of the flat part of the PVC pipe. Now, drill a hole directly through the center of the front of the top two inches of the wood handle. Place the end of the PVC pipe over the flat part of the handle and insert the regular bolt with the head facing forward. On the other end, slip on a washer and then screw the nut on tightly. Using the hacksaw, remove any extra screw and sand it smooth with a dremel, if you have one. Repeat with the other end. Step 6: Your bow should look fairly good now - assuming you paint the limbs a complementary color to the wood, it should look like a fancy bow. Taking the end caps, drill a hole in the top center of each one. Place the eye-bolts into them so the loop part is sticking out the top. Put a nut on the bottom and screw it on tightly. Step 7: Now you'll need to attach the end caps. Place PVC glue on the top ½" of the PVC pipe, place the end cap over the pipe and tap it down gently with a wrapped hammer as to not dent the plastic or chip the paint. Wait for them to cement on completely before continuing. Step 8: Using the cord you bought, and assuming your bow is 6ft. long, cut a length of string approx. 4.5 ft. long. Tie a small loop at one end. Place the loop through one of the eye bolts and place the other end of the string through the loop, pulling tightly to secure it in place. Now, tie a loop on the other end of the string. Bend the bow and place that loop over the other eye bolt. Wrap the loop back under the front of the bolt so when you let tension on it, it will pull snuggly tight. Step 9: The bow should work perfectly as a bow now. Get an arrow and take it for a test shoot. Remember, if you need visuals please go to YouTube. Plenty of info.
