Home Made Bow Press instructions!!!

[Kite]

Since I started the “Home made archery gear” thread I have received requests for instructions on how to build a press like mine.

Please note the construction of this press will require some general fabrication skills so if you struggle with these things I advise you to seek some assistance. This is more a guide than a set of hard and fast instructions and as such you will have to excuse my plans and diagrams… I am a tradesman not a draftsman!!!

All components are readily available, except the jack which is commonly referred to as a “sidewinder jack stand”. These are available from campervan / caravan manufacturers.

I’ll start by giving instructions on how to fabricate components and construct the assemblies. From there and with the assistance of the pictures you should be able to assemble the press.

My apologies to the older generation for listing the dimensions in metric


Components

1/ Jack Mount. (2 off)

Start with 2 pieces of 75mm x 6mm mild steel flat bar 125mm long and drill the holes and cut the plates to the dimensions shown in the picture below.
Tip: For duplicate items it may be easier to tack weld all pieces together and drill the holes all at once.
Note: Make sure the cut out in the jack plates are suitable for your jack type, the jack should rest against the main frame once fitted.




2/ Legs (2 off)

Using 40mm square hollow section (“SHS”) cut the pieces and assemble the leg as shown in the picture below.
In the top of the leg insert a piece of 12mm thick plate with a M12 thread as shown in the picture and weld in 10mm down from the top. Paint welded areas.
Tip: Weld the12mm plates in before welding into the T shape so you can face the end of the tube in the lathe and achieve a nice 90-degree surface to clamp the main frame to.
Note: You may wish to alter the height of the leg to suit your desired working height.




3/ Main frame (1 off)

Using 40mm SHS cut and drill to the specifications shown below.
Note: The holes in this piece are in the centre of the 40mm section. Please excuse the 2D drawing here but the simplicity of this part does not warrant a 3D drawing.





4/ Press Arm (2 off)

Using 2 pieces of 40mm SHS cut and drill to the dimensions shown below.
Take 2 pieces of 40mm x 6mm mild steel flat bar 50mm long and weld in the position shown in the picture below. Paint welded areas.
Tip: Bevel the end of the SHS to get a nice penetrating fillet weld and then dress the edges back to a nice smooth finish for a professional look.





5/ Limb Contact Bar (2 off)

Take a piece of 19mm bright mild steel round bar and turn the end down to 12mm and cut an M12 thread as shown below.
Note: Please excuse the 2D drawing here but the simplicity of this part does not warrant a 3D drawing.




6/ Riser contact bar (2 off)

Easy one… Take a piece of 19mm bright mild steel round bar and cut to length as shown below.
Note: Please excuse the 2D drawing here but the simplicity of this part does not warrant a 3D drawing.




7/ Slider spacer plates (8 off)

Another easy one… Take a piece of 75mm x 3mm mild steel flat bar and cut to length as shown below.
Note: Please excuse the 2D drawing here but the simplicity of this part does not warrant a 3D drawing.




8/ Limb support mount (2 off each)

These are among the most complicated components made in this press and it is vital they are made as accurately as possible.
Take a piece of 75mm x 6mm mild steel flat bar and cut and drill to the dimensions shown below.
Tip: There are 2 of each of these plates; the only difference is the size of the holes. Tack weld all 4 together and drill the small hole then split off 2 and drill the larger hole.




9/ Press arm mount (4 off)

These are among the most complicated components made in this press and it is vital they are made as accurately as possible.
Take a piece of 75mm x 6mm mild steel flat bar and cut and drill to the dimensions shown below.
Tip: For duplicate items it may be easier to tack weld all pieces together and drill the holes all at once.





10/ Press linkages (2 off)

Using a 40mm x 6mm mild steel flat bar cut and drill to the dimensions shown below and paint.
Tip: For duplicate items it may be easier to tack weld all pieces together and drill the holes all at once.
Note: Please excuse the 2D drawing here but the simplicity of this part does not warrant a 3D drawing.


Assembly instructions to follow

[Kite]

Assembly.


1/ Press arm / riser support mount assembly (2 off)

A/ Using two each of components 7 and 9 and one of component 6, weld into a square shape as shown in the picture below.
Note: The 19mm bar is slipped through both holes in the plates. Weld on the inside of the support bar only. In the picture you will note mine is bolted… this is unnecessary
Tip: To achieve a good fit use a scrap piece of 40 mm SHS with a wrap of masking tape around it to allow for a clearance fit.
Tip: Bevel the end of component 7 to get a nice penetrating fillet weld and then dress the edges back to a nice smooth finish for a professional look.
B/ Drill a hole in the centre of the bottom of each assembly and weld a nut to accept nylon handle thumbscrews of your choice, (I used 5/16 BSW)
C/ Once welded, paint and allow to dry.
D/ Once dry, slip a piece of 19mm hose over the support bar (component 6).





2/ Linkage / Limb support Assembly

A/ Using two each of components 7 and 8 (one each of the small and large hole plates) and one of component 5, weld into a square shape as shown in the picture below.
Note: The 19mm bar is slipped through the plate with the large hole and through the 12mm hole. Weld on the inside of the support bar only. The M12 thread protruding from the rear of the assembly will be used to mount the press linkages later on. you'll note in the pics mine has 1/2"bolts rather than a protruding thread. after building the press like this I decided it would be best if built the way I have described above.
Tip: To achieve a good fit use a scrap piece of 40 mm SHS with a wrap of masking tape around it to allow for a clearance fit.
Tip: Bevel the end of component 7 to get a nice penetrating fillet weld and then dress the edges back to a nice smooth finish for a professional look.
B/ Drill a hole in the back of the each component and weld a nut to accept nylon handle thumbscrews of your choice, (I used 5/16 BSW)
C/ Once welded, paint and allow to dry.
D/ Once dry, slip a piece of 19mm hose over the support bar.




3/ Jack Assembly

A/ Take two of component 1 and weld them in position on the jack. Take care to ensure that there is ample room to wind the jack handle once the jack is mounted on to the press frame. Depending on the jack used you may need to drill a hole in the top of the leg to accept a hitch pin to attach the press linkages too
B/ Once welded, paint and allow to dry.
Tip: To achieve a good fit use a scrap piece of 40 mm SHS with a wrap of masking tape around it to allow for a clearance fit.
Note: It may be necessary depending on the jack used to extend the crank handle to clear the frame.




4/ Press Arm Assembly

A/ Using M10 x 65mm bolts, washers and nuts bolt component 4 into assembly 2 so that the protruding ends face up as shown below.




5/ Press Assembly

A/ Take the main frame (component 3) and slide assembly 1 on to the main frame with both support bars facing in the same direction as shown in the pictures and nip up the thumb screws.
B/ Using 65mm long M12 bolts, washers and nuts, bolt the legs (component 2) to the outermost holes so that the legs sit at 90 degrees to the main frame.
C/ Using 65mm long M12 bolts, washers and nuts, bolt assembly 3 to the centre holes on the press main frame in between each of assembly 1.
D/ Using 65mm long M10 bolts, washers and nuts, bolt assembly 4 into assembly 1
E/ Using M12 nuts and washers bolt the press arm linkage (component 10) to the threaded area protruding from the back of assembly 2.
F/ Using a hitch pin or similar cross the linkages over and locate in the desired hole.




Final word

Please note due to the complexity of this post there may be some errors... I have done my best to check there are none but if you notice any please let me know so I can make the changes.

It needs to be said that while this press resembles a Sureloc X press I have never seen an X press in the flesh.
I should also point out that I have no intentions or means to make any profit from the sharing of these plans.
These plans have been drawn from my years of experience in my trade and have been built and proven to work. I will accept no responsibility or liability for any injuries or losses that result from the manufacture or use of this press .

Good luck and lets see photos of completed presses once they are done!!!

Regards
Mick

[Kite]

[CX250MAX]

i have one question what are the specs on the jack used on the press

[Kite]

My jack is made By Manutec in South Australia -
http://www.manutecfab.com/
I sourced mine through Active Fabrications hare in Brisbane -
http://www.activefabrications.com.au/
I also note some different brands on page 15 of this supplier

[SOLAR]

made this at work over the last week.







Chris

[Kite]

Great work Chris!!!
I see you used a top wind jack, that looks like it will work well too.

Realy nice to see other efforts.

[nodog]

Nice!

I made my own out of wood. Oak for the limbs and cherry for the base. I use turn buckels to press it. The grain in the the cherry is like wheat in summer. It shifts as you move acrros it. I tried to press the bow based on the joints created and almost succeded, it only making a slight cracking sound. I then put (2) 1/4" threaded rods across the limbs. Been using it for years. It is not as friendly to use being it only fits bows of my size. Cost about 20 bucks. Had the wood.

[wareagle]

Here's my version, with Xforce. and thanks for the source for the truck legs, I spent a whole day, looking at caravan jacks etc. before I looked up your thread.

[Kite]

looks great
Love the adapters

[Sure-Shot101]

What a Freat job. Wish I had the time nd skill to make one.

[D.Cornwell]

These Press's are absolutely brilliant. Just completed one and it works so effortlessly. Never having used a press before I really had no idea but after making one to Kites instructions it now seems so easy. Just put the bow in , adjust to suit and press away. Excellent work Kite on a Top Press. Cost next to nothing and now I can now work on my bow whenever I need....

[special]

I knocked one up yesterday with a few minor alterations and a cheaper leg..which works effortlessly...thanks for the design

[D.Cornwell]

I'm glad to see that somebody else has discovered another use for a Jockey wheel. I used one on my press too ( the same one actually ) They're inexpensive and for this purpose they work an absolute treat!

Sorry about the finish but i'm getting prices on getting it plated..

[special]

Nice work..
My boy is a boily..he's got access to a CNC operated workshop...Im going to get him to knock a couple more up...Easier than playing in the backyard

[huffy66]

Originally Posted by Master_Bowtech

I'm glad to see that somebody else has discovered another use for a Jockey wheel. I used one on my press too ( the same one actually ) They're inexpensive and for this purpose they work an absolute treat!

Sorry about the finish but i'm getting prices on getting it plated..

Interesting looking press, what size of jockey wheel did you use( i.e noseweight figure) as I am thinking about making one and am wondering how powerful a jack is required to press a bow?

Thanks , Mark

[jamjars]

Originally Posted by huffy66

Interesting looking press, what size of jockey wheel did you use( i.e noseweight figure) as I am thinking about making one and am wondering how powerful a jack is required to press a bow?

Thanks , Mark

should just be a standard 250kg-350kg rated jockey wheel? (i cant remember too well)

supercheap auto has them for $30-$40

[hunter10]

Gday guys im going to making a bow press just wanting to know would it be ok to use 30mm x 5mm mild steel for the PRESS LINKAGES, instead of using the 40mm x 6mm mild steel.

Cheers Ash

[Kite]

yep, that'll be fine.

[hunter10]

Thanks for that Mick

Ash