Want to give archery a try on a shoestring budget? Instructables user degapong demonstrates how to make a functional bow for $20 or less at any big-box hardware store by purchasing a wood plane, a bottle of Gorilla Glue, a small bundle of rope, and two pieces of wood.


The two pieces of wood you'll need are a 42"x½" oak trim piece and a 24" x ½" poplar trim piece. Glue the smaller piece in the middle of the larger piece and clamp the two pieces together until the glue dries. Then use the hand planer to shape the wood into bow limbs. See the photos at the source link below for the correct shape to use. Finally, add your rope handle, cut some notches at the ends of the limbs to attach your bowstring, and use a piece of rope or paracord for your bowstring.

Arrows can be purchased for $5-10 at any large store with a sporting goods department or you can make your own inexpensively with these instructions. You may not be able to hunt big game with these homemade bows and arrows, but you'll have a lot of fun shooting at targets and if you become interested in the hobby you can learn to make powerful bows inexpensively.


Make a bow for under 20 Bucks | Instructables