15 replies to this topic

[l337n3rf3r]

I really hate my crossbow. I'm in need of help. I honestly have no clue what's going on with it. The dart barely hits 40. It maybe that the barrel is too long or too tight on my darts I have no idea. I fixed the seal. I also just re-inforced the plunger and the wall(the one where the spring hits, i forget its name). But if anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Probably should have stated this earlier.
The barrel is 12 inches, and it is 17/32 brass.
I think that its probably too tight. I bought it because it fit my last batch of darts, apparently not this one. Keep the ideas coming that might not be the problem.

~l337

Edited by l337n3rf3r, 30 May 2007 - 08:50 PM.

[OfAllTheNerf]

I really hate my crossbow. I'm in need of help. I honestly have no clue what's going on with it. The dart barely hits 40. It maybe that the barrel is too long or too tight on my darts I have no idea. I fixed the seal. I also just re-inforced the plunger and the wall(the one where the spring hits, i forget its name). But if anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

~l337

Now that, sir, is blasphemy. What does it say on page 307 inbetween lines 45 and 46 in fine print of the "Thou shall love the Crossbow" act? "You never use the words 'hate' and 'Crossbow,' when reffering the words to one another."

[/off topic]

Sorry, but I had to do that.

First off, how long is your barrel? If it is brass, how much have you nested in it, if any? Also, have you Coupler modded it, so that the barrel is directly in front of the air output? If you didn't, I'd say that's the problem. When I took the tubing off, there was a spring in it, that has got ot be one helluva air restrictor right there.

Second, do your darts create a seal int he barrel? Some of my CPVC darts, when fired out of my nested 9/16" brass barrell, barely go 15 feet in my 80ft+ NF. If it does not get a good seal with the barrel, that would definitely be a problem.

What did you reinforce the plunger rod with? Was it heavy? If it was heavy, did you do it to both sides? How far along the rod did you go?

I would recommend not tampering witht he seal between the plunger head and the plunger chamber, I know there like 3mm between the head and the tube, but I didn't do that with mine, and it got 160' FLAT (okay, with dart skip, and please don't call me a lier. There may have been a tailwind, there might have been a mismeasurement, there might ahve been an angel carrying it across my street... But I know it went 160' TWICE, yes including dart skip). The perfect seal with whatever tape you used (I'm assuming you used E-tape) will probably create more friction to slow down the plunger rod/head than the air being pushed forward because of the seal.

Lastly, what type of weight do you use? I use 3/0 fishing weights, usually the "water gremlin" ones, not the gremlin green, though. Those things weight so little. The water gremlin I have found are slightly heavier than other ones, so they are great for megas and high powered micro guns.

That's all I can think of, so after those questions are answered, you, me, or someone may be able to find out the problem.

Hope this helps.

Edited by OfAllTheNerf, 31 May 2007 - 04:46 PM.

[newby]

Well, if you get too fed up with it, you could always give it to me.

[nerfboi]

Well, if you get too fed up with it, you could always give it to me.

Wow, That did not help him at all. Mayby you should try 9/16 brass instead.

[six-five-two]

12 inches of 17/32"? I suggest reading the article called "Mod 401 - Darts and Barrels" in the articles section.

Anyways, CXWQ suggests to do this:
Cut 10" of 1/2" SCH40 PVC
Drop a 6" piece of 19/32" in it
Drop a 4" piece of 9/16"
Drop a 2-3" piece 1/2" PETG or a 17/32" into the 9/16"

This is supposed to remove as much air friction as possible.. try it out. But if you don't then just make the barrel shorter and that should solve the problem.

[Carrtoon]

I've had some similar trouble in the past with mine. It was getting about 50 or 60' flat and I couldn't figure it out. I added some external bungees and that solved the problem. That spring just isn't powerful enough on its own. Have you added an extra spring or bungees? Give that a try.

[Groove]

I really hate my crossbow. I'm in need of help.

Wow. Blasphemy. I'd recommend some psychological help at this point, because I really think you just used 'hate' and 'Crossbow' in the same sentence. I'm not certain, but I think that's grounds for a suspension.

Joking, of course.

I'd double-check all the seals, then go over them an extra bit with some Goop or whatever sealant you're using. I'd also replace the spring and add a couple mini bungees, or a full-size one, in which case you should probably double-check your reinforced areas to make sure they're up to the task.

Remember, Crossbows are a fickle mistress; but as long as you take care of them they will take care of you.

My Crossbow requires alot of maintenance, but after all the work, at the end of the day, I get hits on moving targets at 80+ feet away (I know several people that can personally vouch for that). You will only get from it what you put in to it. So stroke it, tell it you love it. Tuck it in at night and tell it a bedtime story or two. Buy and feed it some expensive food, not the processed canned crap. But for God's sake, don't say that you outright hate it.


-Groove

[bpso86]

You will only get from it what you put in to it. So stroke it, tell it you love it. Tuck it in at night and tell it a bedtime story or two.

added that hilarious quote to my signature, while playing with my butthole.

I would also recommend checking the seal, making sure your barrel isn't too terribly long/tight, etc. As stated previously.

[SirTofu]

Crossbows are a royal pain in the ass. I spent 6 months or so off and on tweaking it and fixing it till I got something that worked. Here's my set up:
Reinforced plunger and catch wall (or whatever you call it).
Wrapped plunger head in layers of e-tape because it loses its shape. I thn lubed that plunger head up, use whatever works for you.

The biggest problem was getting a coupler to not break.

I gooped on a coupler and then took a syringe with vinyl tubing and filled in the space between the air output and coupler with epoxy, all of it. It is rock solid.

For my barrel I use 7 inch petg (from OMC) in pvc. I used to use a 7-8 inch barrel of 9/16 brass with 5'' or so of 17/32 brass. Both work great for me.

I then added a bungee cord. Without the bungee, I think my crossbow shoots 70-80'. With bungee, 110'-130'+.

The crossbow is an expensive girlfreind and a time consuming one. I prefer my at3k, but the crossbow is so accurate and has such long range that some of the hits you can nail are obscene.

[OfAllTheNerf]

I really hate my crossbow. I'm in need of help.

Wow. Blasphemy.

Hehe, that's what I meant. Will fix.

Yes, I would also recommend shortening your barrel, and nest 1.5" of brass (one size smaller) in it. You don't want you darts to be terribly tight in your barrel (not the nested piece), that will only decrease range.

[zoob]

kinda off topic buy Ill buy it. Pm me if you will sell if not dont.

Thanks

[Texansharpshooter]

I think what your problem may be is that the plunger to plunger chamber seal may not be great, I'm not experienced enough with a crossbow to know what you should use to potentially seal that gap, I've had an issue to a similar extent with mine, but I haven't had a chance to fix it yet. When I get the chance to, I'll let you know what I did. I also agree with Nerfboi, try 9/16ths before opening it up to check seals again.

Edited by Texansharpshooter, 31 May 2007 - 06:31 PM.

[OfAllTheNerf]

I would recommend not tampering with the seal between the plunger head and the plunger chamber.

I'll say it again, I think that making a perfect seal with the plugner head would only decrease range due to the friction.

[nerfboi]

This is off topic, but what do you guys use to reinforce you catch/ catch walls? And where do you get it?

[l337n3rf3r]

Thanks, and to all that want to buy it, I never said I was selling it and i don't plan to. Thanks for the input. I think there is too much friction, the darts are just too tight. I'll pick up some 9/16 over the weekend. Thanks for the advice guys. Also groove, I Stroked my crossbow and told it I loved it. It says it loves me too.

~l337

[bpso86]

I would recommend not tampering with the seal between the plunger head and the plunger chamber.

I'll say it again, I think that making a perfect seal with the plugner head would only decrease range due to the friction.

The plunger tube changes size near the end of the plunger travel. If you're going to improve the seal, make sure you do it so that it fits all the way down the tube still. I just wrapped e-tape around it until it was semi-snug with the very end of the plunger tube, not at the beginning of the plunger tube. If he does this, it will not decrease range.