Introduction: Simple PVC Bow ( for Under $10)

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I wanted a strong PVC bow but not want to heat it. Heating PVC can release toxic fumes and cause health problems! I decided to build my own for under 10 dollars. This is a powerful and quick bow that is relatively easy.

Supplies

  • 1/2 inch pvc pipe 4 ft, 4 in.
  • A roll of duct tape
  • String ( any string, though twine or paracord is recommended)
  • 2 fiberglass drive way markers ( 4 ft)
  • Hacksaw ( for cutting PVC)
  • Scissors

Step 1: Prepping the PVC Pipe

  1. Using the fiber glass rod to measure, mark the PVC at 4 ft and 4 inches long
  2. Use the hacksaw to cut along the mark, all the way through

Step 2: Making the Nock

  1. Make 4' 4" PVC pipe and mark each side about 2 inches in
  2. Take the hacksaw a cut along the mark until you have a nock in the PVC
  3. Take the fiberglass driveway marker and place it inside the PVC pipe, so that you have the rod in about 2 in. on each side of the PVC pipe

Step 3: Taping the Bow

  1. Roll up two balls of duct tape that will fit inside the PVC pipe
  2. Push each ball about 2 inches deep inside the PVC pipe on each side
  3. The driveway marker inside the PVC pipe should no longer move

Step 4: Sealing the PVC Pipe

  1. Cut a rectangle of tape about 3-4 inches long
  2. Place on top of a hole
  3. Fold both sides of the tape down
  4. Repeat on both sides of the PVC pipe
  5. You should now have a PVC pipe that is sealed on both sides

Step 5: Creating the Handle

The picture above is the final product, since I didn't have a picture of the handle before it was finished.

  1. This step is optional
  2. Use duct tape to tape along the center of the bow, creating a handle
  3. Add as much or as little tape as necessary

Step 6: Stringing the Bow

For this step, you are going to need a little muscle

  1. Measure out and cut 4 ft of string
  2. Create a slip knot on one sides of the string
  3. Slip the knotted end of the string over of of the nocks we made earlier
  4. Bend the PVC pipe using your hands or feet and wrap the other end over the PVC pipe and into the nock
  5. Wrap until string runs out and tie a knot
  6. If necessary, you can cut a notch vertically into the PVC pipe to help hold the string

Step 7: Making the Arrow

This is a very heavy fiberglass arrow. If you want, you can buy your own arrows instead

  1. Cut the remaining fiberglass rods in half ( Wear a mask while cutting)
  2. Take the pointy half and use for arrow
  3. Use duct tape and create fletching for the arrow
  4. Cut the duct tape into strips
  5. Wrap duct tape around the base/ non pointy part of the arrow
  6. Use scissors to cut the duct tape vertically in half
  7. This is the nock for the arrow
  8. For a second arrow, repeat steps 2-7 and sharpen fiberglass rod ( wear a mask!)

Step 8: Finished!

Now you can go and test out your new PVC bow. You can leave this bow strung full time. You can either buy your own arrows or use the one I showed. Please do not aim this at a person or an animal! Thank you for reading this instructable.