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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Archie on February 05, 2012, 02:00:00 AM

Title: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Archie on February 05, 2012, 02:00:00 AM
I like tinkering around with things.

This cost me a total of about $8, and was entertaining to make.

I started out by ordering a cheap GPS handlebar mount on the big auction site for about $5 shipped.  After shaping it with a Dremel, I glued some protective rubber backing on the bow-side of it.  Then I drilled it and glued in a set-screw to give it a little more stability.  Right now I've got a $1.50 junk LED flashlight in it, but it would fit others.  The ball-and-socket is nice because you can aim it right where you want it.  It doesn't flop around much, but the set screw helps a lot.

That's a homemade set-screw and homemade strap.  The black plastic wing-nut you see sticking off the front side in the middle pic is not part of the light mount; it's part of the homemade strap I made out of some old knee pads.  

  (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/BowLight1.jpg)

  (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/BowLight2.jpg)

 (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc248/romangrayjr/BowLight3.jpg)

Don't know how much I'll use it, but a thread here on TG got me thinking about it.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Thumper Dunker on February 05, 2012, 03:04:00 AM
Is that legal there ? I know out here you can not have any light on your bow or any other weapon.  Good job by the way. way.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Shakes.602 on February 05, 2012, 03:41:00 AM
It would be Pretty Darn good for Blinding a Pesky Intruder in Your  Darkened House though! Thats a Fine Idea and Construction Projest! I am Interested in it!!
 I keep one of my Shorter Recurves Strung and a Arrow not far to Snuff just such a DirtBag!! Not that I am  "Loaded"  by  ANY STRETCH  of the Imagination  :goldtooth:  ,  BUT  I figure more detour anything. I have a Lazer hooked onto Mine, that is reason for a Wee Bit of Peace of Mind too!! What I have isnt Worth Much to Anyone  BUT  Me, BUT.... What I  DO  Have is  MINE!!  Things I have Worked Hard to Aquire, ya know?? And Damned if I let some Creep Mosey in here, Whoop the Snot outta Me so he can Take the things I have Earned throuught my Life!!
  Ok, Soap Box is put away now, but seriously, if ya shoot em and they fall out the Door,  THINK FAST!!  If he isnt Dead, he and his "Fam Damily" will  SUE YOU!!  for  "ALL"  Your Hard Work, and because  HE  got a  BOO-BOO  trying to Steal You Blind!!  THAT  is Our Tax Dollars at Work, Right??
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: ckanous on February 05, 2012, 06:42:00 AM
Good job,like I have said before,  love these diy projects.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: ishoot4thrills on February 05, 2012, 07:05:00 AM
Cool! With a very bright light you could use it for bowfishing at night, you think?
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: ckanous on February 05, 2012, 07:21:00 AM
Maybe for some piggly wiggly's also!!!!
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: michaelschwister on February 05, 2012, 07:59:00 AM
Good for hunting hogs in texas.  The lsat three trips I have been trying to figure out how to jacklite, never having done it before in nearly 40 years of bowhunting (which is illegal everywhere else I hunt, but sometimes the only way to hunt tx hogs) Was thinking about doing the same thing with a traitional gadget adapter.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Possum Head on February 05, 2012, 08:24:00 AM
It would be handy for me to rid my yard of those armadillos that have been ploughing lately!
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Archie on February 05, 2012, 09:11:00 AM
I am pretty sure it's legal in Illinois to use the light this way, provided that one is following the rest of the light-usage guidelines.  It has to be a small hand-operated light, not connected to a vehicle or conveyance.  If anyone else can shed any further light on the subject (pun intended), please do.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: tenbrook on February 05, 2012, 09:14:00 AM
Now you need a Surefire pressure pad switch for the grip.  Just squeeze and presto.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: on February 05, 2012, 10:22:00 AM
That looks real good!

Bisch
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: elknutz on February 05, 2012, 11:39:00 AM
Good night time frog sticker.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Archie on February 05, 2012, 09:58:00 PM
This thing is pretty interesting to shoot with.  It is light and quiet, and throws enough light out to about 15 yards with the flashlight I have in it at the moment.  But it really reveals whether I'm torquing the bow or not upon release.  My first few shots ended with the light bouncing all over the place; after that, I figured out how to keep the light pointed at my target and watch the arrow's impact.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Overspined on February 05, 2012, 10:57:00 PM
For what?? Shooting fish?   I think that may not be legal for deer, maybe varmint.  Check the regs again!
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Stump73 on February 05, 2012, 11:26:00 PM
Maybe good for coon hunting.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Stump73 on February 05, 2012, 11:26:00 PM
Sorry for the double post.
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: wildgame on February 05, 2012, 11:28:00 PM
Thats not legal here,but hogs in texas would be a defferent story!! Good idea!!
Title: Re: Designed a Strap-on Light for my Longbow
Post by: Archie on February 05, 2012, 11:41:00 PM
Here's the section from the Illinois regs:

"It is unlawful to use lights of, any light from, or
any light connected to a vehicle or conveyance
in any area where wildlife can be found. This
does not prohibit normal use of headlamps for
driving upon a roadway. EXCEPT: Skunk, opossum,
red or gray fox, coyote and raccoon may
be taken during the open season by the use of
a small hand-operated light by a person who is
on foot and not in any vehicle."