Todestrino Crossbow-Elastic Powered Balestrino

thingiverse

This crossbow is based on the balestrino crossbow reproductions built by Tod Todeschini (Tod's Stuff https://todsworkshop.com/). I was able to create this in Tinkercad because of the great videos and photos posted by Tod. Check out his youtube channel for more info on balestrino and other period weaponry (https://www.youtube.com/user/todsstuff1) My final design is substantially larger than a real balestrino in order to suit pistol crossbow ammunition. I borrowed some design elements from the Sliding Legolini by jaaanik (based on a design by Jörg Sprave) including the way the string attaches to the limbs, the three-piece limbs with dovetail, and the general construction of the string/rubber. *Does this qualify as a remix? This is my first share so please let me know if it should be listed as one. The thread mechanism works to span the crossbow, though you can span it just by drawing the string back with your fingers. I was interested in replicating the thread mechanism because it's very clever, but it isn't necessary for a rubber-powered balestrino (steel prod balestrino have around 200lb draw weight). Tinkercad is limited, as is my design experience :) I did my best with what I had, but please make changes to suit your needs/tastes and share them. The limbs could sit higher to create less drag on the string. The string also tends to slide off the front when shot. The hardware could be sunk into the plastic better. As of now, the bolt heads stick out partway and pockets are too wide for the heads. You may find the plastic threads tight (I adjusted the file to make it a little narrower after I printed it) but sanding off the tops of the threads seems to work. Attaching the string can be very difficult. If you let the string retainer go when the rubber is under tension, it can hit you and hurt. Use at your own risk. Construction Recommendations: print trigger components and string attachments (all the small parts) at 0.2mm layer height with 100% infill and 1.6mm walls/top/bottom print remaining parts 0.2mm layer height with 50% cubic infill and 1.6mm walls/top/bottom superglue two parts of chassis together print threaded portion laying down to maximize strength along the length of the part use PTFE grease on threads, chassis, sliding portion use printed pin or similar size dowel/rod to join threaded portion to trigger housing (broken aluminum bolt/arrow also works) use 4 M312 screws and matching nuts to attach hanger/bracket to limbs from bottom: do not tighten all the way until the chassis is in place (this holds the limbs secure to the chassis) use 4 M330 screws (cut down to about 24mm) and matching nuts to attach hanger/bracket to limbs from top follow jaaanik's instruction for constructing string use aluminum or plastic bolts for pistol crossbows (same as Sliding Legolini) or experiment with pens, pencils, 3D printed bolts, or cat toys. WARNING: this crossbow shoots small bolts at a speed that is dangerous to flesh and property. DO NOT shoot at people, animals, or anything you don't want a hole in. DO shoot at archery targets, foam blocks, cardboard boxes, ballistics gelatin, floor foam, and fruit. I won't recommend or disavow shooting your walls: that's up to you. Before printing, determine whether this is a legal item to own where you live. The string of the Todestrino locks in the cocked position which, unlike the Sliding Legolini, makes it a crossbow. Some places regulate the minimum length of a crossbow, which this may fall outside of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLodW1XMmLg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UBae_fcwFU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFOKftb8gno