Hunting Bow Hangers

I designed and created a hanging device that I can put on my wall and hang my deer hunting bow on. The ultimate goal for this project is to create a decorative and useful piece to avoid having the bow stored under my bed. The hangers need to be able to hold the weight of the bow, but I also want to print them with the least amount of infill as possible.

Filament

Wood

Screws

Wood Finish

The main problem I’m addressing is the lack of a proper storage solution for my bow. Currently, it is stored under my bed, where it is frequently bumped, kicked, and at risk of damage due to the lack of protection and stability.

My decision matrix consisted of two different concepts. One being the hook design attach to a board and the other a standing rack design. I decided to pursue the hook design based on the price, modularity and aesthetics.

This sketch depicts an early design for a wall-mounted archery bow hanger. The drawing features two L-shaped bracket arms, likely made to hold the limbs of a bow securely in a horizontal position. Each bracket is drawn with a vertical segment (for attaching to the wall) and a horizontal arm (for supporting the bow).

Initially, I planned to fabricate the hooks from wood by carving them out of a 2x4. However, the process proved to be extremely time-consuming, and the prototype failed as I snapped it trying to remove a chunk of wood, as shown. Additionally, I realized that I lacked both the appropriate tools and the precision woodworking skills necessary to achieve consistent, reliable results. As a result, I decided to pivot to 3D printing as the primary manufacturing method.

This is the 3D model of the hook device designed in Fusion 360, intended to support the bow. Prior to this project, I had no experience using Fusion 360 design. However, with some initial guidance from a friend on the basic tools and workflow, I was able to create this design successfully.

The initial attempt to print the hooks at 10% infill resulted in poor quality with significant stringing and an overall "webbed" appearance. After consulting with an individual experienced in 3D printing, I was advised to replace the nozzle. Upon doing so, I discovered the original issue was due to a clogged nozzle that was restricting filament flow.

With the new nozzle installed, I reprinted the part at 10% infill. The print completed successfully, but during load testing—by applying force at the mounting point and simulating the weight of the bow—the hook failed almost immediately. The failure occurred at the junction where the back connects to the base, which I had anticipated as a likely weak point.

I then increased the infill to 15%. This print also completed without defects. During the same load test, it withstood the load slightly longer but ultimately failed at the same stress point.

After, I increased the infill to 25%. The part printed cleanly, and under the same test conditions, it also did fail but only when I put some screws into it and tightened it down it split.

(Images include: 1st – failed print due to clog; 2nd – 10% infill failure; 3rd – 15% infill failure; 4th – 25% infill failure)

Next, I decided to increase the thickness of the back plate that screws to the board. I did this by extruding the back plate by 0.1 inch.

After checking my spool of filament, I realized I was running low. To conserve material without compromising strength, I printed the parts at 50% infill. I tested them by screwing them into a board and hanging the bow from them. The mounts held up well — they supported the bow and didn’t crack at the screw holes.

Images Include(Showing the difference of thickness from the first design to the second)

I measured the distance the hooks needed to be apart on the bow, which came out to a maximum of 20 inches. To allow for extra strength and some material on each side, I cut the board to 22 inches. I then marked a line 1 inch down from the top of the board to ensure the hooks would be level. After marking the hook positions 20 inches apart, I used some screws I found in my garage to secure the hooks to the board.

(Images include: 1st – measuring the board; 2nd – measuring the 20-inch distance between hooks)

The attached images are the final product of the 3D printed hooks and an image of the hooks attached to the board.