How to Make Bows Out of PVC Pipe
A PVC bow makes an excellent training tool for teaching proper form and can also be used for very young archers. It's inexpensive, simple to make and very handy for coaches. The bow is light enough that it is safe to dry-fire (shoot without an arrow), making it an ideal practice tool.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 1/2" (interior diameter) PVC pipe
- Foam pipe insulation
- 2" duct tape, gaffer's tape or Gorilla tape
- 1/8" nylon cord
- cut-off saw, band saw or table saw
Instructions
-
Cutting the pipe
-
1
PVC pipe usually comes in 6-foot or 10-foot lengths. You could either buy the 10-foot length and make two bows; or if you only need one, you can use the 6-foot length.
If you're using the 10-foot length, measure and mark at 65" (5-1/2 feet). Cut straight across at a 90-degree angle; this will give you two pieces, one 65" and one 55". The shorter bow will have a little bit heavier draw weight, about 7 to 9 pounds, which is a good weight for very young students. The longer bow will have a lower draw weight, about 6 to 8 pounds.
-
2
Next, set your saw for a 10-degree angle cut. Each end of the bow will be cut at an angle, starting from the center of the pipe and cutting towards the outside. Your cut will end up being about 3" long. Note: PVC pipe usually has one side that's slightly weaker; the pipe "wants" to bend in this direction. You will need to work with this tendency. Make sure you're cutting the opposite side of the pipe, the side that wants to bow outward, parallel to the bend.
-
-
3
After the two ends are cut, notch the ends to hold the string. Cut at a 90-degree angle to the pipe, about 3/8" to 1/2" from each end. Carefully cut a very shallow notch across the angled face, about 1/8" deep.
Adding a grip
-
4
Measure the pipe and mark the center.
-
5
Cut a piece of the foam pipe insulation about 10" long.
-
6
Slip the foam onto the pipe and slide it until the top is aligned with the center mark on the pipe.
-
7
Wrap the foam with tape.
-
8
Optional: Screw a 1" drywall screw into the side of the bow at the center mark to serve as an arrow rest. Leave the screw head sticking out about 1/4" from the pipe, enough so that the arrow can rest on top of it. Slide the foam up to rest against the screw. For a right-handed shooter, put the screw on the left side.
Making the string
-
9
Cut a length of nylon cord about 70" long for the taller bow, about 60" for the shorter one. Tie a loop on each end, about 2" to 3" long. The cord should end up about 60" long from the end of one loop to the other.
-
10
Slip one loop over the top end of the pipe and slide it down to the rest.
-
11
Slip the other loop onto the bottom end of the pipe and put it into the notch.
-
12
Slide the top loop up the pipe. Bend the pipe until you can slide the loop up and settle it into the notch.
-
13
Optional: Add a nocking point to the string slightly above the center point. You can use a brass crimp-on nocking point or tie one out of dental floss.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You could make the bow a little more rigid by inserting a length of 1/2" wooden dowel into the pipe. Cut it to about 18" to 22" and use a narrower dowel to push it in until it's centered in the handle. This will increase the draw weight of the bow.
Always use an arm guard with the pipe bow. The string will hit your arm, and it does hurt.
