For ranks needed (with and without tech):
https://elanthipedia.play.net/Crafting#DifficultyFor the difficulty of each bolt, you can check your crafting recipe in the crafting book, or look in the products page here:
https://elanthipedia.play.net/Tinkering_products#Boltmakingso, for example..
Boar-tusk bolts are a (4) Simple recipe. On the chart, you need 400 base ranks, or
around 143 ranks with the tech. Now the note at the bottom explains this is for average work-ability materials (how easy something is to craft with, the higher the easier).
Unfortunately, most animal parts aren't recorded properly yet, but you can always deed something with a deed packet (purchasable in the forging society) and see the workability value.
So at 51 ranks, you
might be able to decently craft some bolts that are made with a material that has around 90-95 workability, with buffs. But you can assume high workability means low damage.
Personally, I'd wait until around 150-175 ranks before I bothered to start experimenting, but feel free!
If you start deeding parts, record their information on wikipedia for everyone!
