6" Bow and needle-tipped arrows (Perversely inspired by Cupid)

I saw some gaudy heart-shaped balloons the other day, and my inner-imp thought it would be wonderful to pop them. And since Cupid pierced people's hearts with shafts of love, the natural method of balloon popping that came to mind was "Shoot them with arrows!"

I guess this is a bit perverse for a Valentine's Day project, but I'm sure some of you have had similar desires to pop a few heart-shaped balloons.

(I didn't actually pop them.)

I grew up in urban/suburban areas, and never had much of a yard for archery, so I improvised as a kid. I grabbed some bamboo skewers, a few sewing needles, floss and glue, and made myself little bow+arrow kits that would work wonderfully in my bedroom. (All those beastly stuffed animals to hunt and all.)

The general idea: a single skewer will be made into a bow, and the rest of the skewers will be cut in half to make arrows.

Step 1 Disclaimer & Materials Needed

Disclaimer:
I had considered writing this instructable down to the tiniest detail (e.g. what knots I used to tie what), but then I thought "If someone can't figure out some of this on his own, he has no right to be shooting little needle-pointed arrows around in the first place."

I am not responsible for your stupidity.
Even as a seven year old I didn't skewer any living things with my arrows, so you don't have much of an excuse.

Reality check:
These things shoot at pretty high velocity and fly very unpredictably and can ricochet. From five feet away, I got an arrow firmly lodged in a solid wood door. These things will go upwards of 10 feet.

BE CAREFUL.

So, you'll probably need:
Bamboo skewers (minimum 6")
Sewing needles
Floss or upholstery thread (as a kid, I totally had mint-y, plaque fighting arrows.)
Some blister-pack plastic or stiff paper
Super glue, white glue
X-Acto knife
Scissors
Band-aids

Comments

[FrozenIce]

might make it into a crossbow.. now that would be cool!!

[dawg065]

thanks.this is just what i needed.since i've been umemployed,i needed a simple project to keep my brain occupied.

[TheSparkLord]

I am soaking the bow shaft in water for it to be flexible. Is that OK? I think i need to make a nock for the arrow to sit on the string, but the skewer is too small for me to cut it with a knife, any way to do it?

[ryzellon]

Soaking the material is usually done when you want it to hold a shape on its own. If you're having issues bending the bow piece into a sufficient curve, then soaking it will help. (Be careful, though, since it will reduce the power of the bow.) As for the nock, here's a few suggestions: -Wrap fine sandpaper around something like a credit card and file the nock -Wood burner/heat a narrow piece of metal and use it to char a notch out (but make sure you don't mind ruining the temper on the metal) -Triangular or square files (hobby-sized) -Jeweler's saw *Though if you've already split the rear of the shaft to allow for the fletching, then you can just carefully sand down each side of the split to create a notch when the sides are stuck back together.

[Tombomom]

 the bow kinda looks like a pencil, but cool anyway

[hawkfrost64]

 wow. you're pretty smart for a 7 yr old.

[KnexFreek]

5 starz

[sites23]

i used to shoot people with my mini crossbow when iwas young .Good times

[Namonos]

my only problem was i shot it and it recoshaded of the wall into by leg. it whent in 2 inches. But on the bright side now i dont have to get my yearly shot!

[skidude28]

You filled your darts with medicine? I hope I never meet you.

[9.6 Volts]

HE'S JOKING (i hope)

[MasterBowyer]

Check these out...

[cowscankill]

:D Post that as an Instructable!

[nomadic bowman]

thats pretty cool

[ericm247]

dis is kool i want 2 make 1 i jus need wood

[mattyts]

use wooden chopsticks and glue them into a long line by using 2 but make sure u put the thin ends opposite to each other send me pictures when your finished

[ericm247]

woooow dude i posted that comment like a year ago.where were you haha

[sharlston]

this is my account and actually a year ago i didnt even know of this site so haha to u

[ericm247]

what?

[crossbows_and_bolts_killa]

combine your arrows to this bow:http://www.instructables.com/id/bamboo_skewer_bow_1/?ALLSTEPS

[mattyts]

too big to make though ive made on ove these before sp please but pics on plz

[Thelonelysandwitch]

I was shot with one of these that my friend made, it went really far in and now 1 year later I still have a scar. It really hurt

[Box_Full_Of_Sharp_Objects]

this is awsome, but i ignored the "at your own stupidity" and fired it up in the air and missed myself by..... not much

[masterj]

LOL

[owzza]

kool, i'm so trying it

[owzza]

sick, thats awsome, i'm surly going to try it

[chardster]

Beautifull

[littleb0y]

nice arrows i had like them but build from straws and glue gun and toothpick there easier to mmake and not that dangerous

[Zetheros]

wow, I didn't know I already posted here, heh.

[Zetheros]

Awesome, I used to make these too, but didn't add the fins to the end. Try steaming the bow wood overnight so it won't splinter when you use it the next day. Afterwards, keep the wood oiled.

[yellow elephant]

i just made one. it is good.

[fork me3]

hey check out the bow ive designed made from skewers 2!! click me

[half3mpty]

hhhmmmm. im not sure if this will work. but go to michaels and get a pack of dowels. then do what redrogue said and soak it in hot water overnight and use that as the bow. imma go try that.

[jakesllama]

you should put it on a cross bow (be stronger) :p

[X_D_3_M_1]

paper clip bows work better. they dont crack. this looks nicer though

[tjmortenson]

i used a pencil for the arrow i split it in half the long way then super glued a needl in it and hot glued it together then put hot glue in it to help hold the needle in

[Zetheros]

soaking the bow in hot water overnight makes the bow much more springy and durable

[Zetheros]

I used to do this, sold them 1$ each, but didn't add the needles and feathers

[lawizeg]

dang. nice. i just made it and im bout to go and test it. even if mine doesnt go far, it still looks awesome.

[Loveofchaos]

i once made a bow from plastic spoon handles, i might post an instructable later lol