How to Make a Clothespin Gun

 by samarai
In this instructable I will be showing you how to make a precision classroom weapon. It takes a lot of time to create, but if you take your time and make it quality by following my steps, I promise you will be pleased with the results. This will shoot either toothpicks or matches.. this particular model will not shoot the strike anywhere ones but i will soon put up an instructable for one that ignites them when you fire it.
 
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Step 1: Gather Materials

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To get started you are going to need to gather some materials that you might have laying around your house.

1) Super Glue
2) Quick Dry Spray (optional)
3) Terrorist Knife =]
4) Wire Cutters (optional)
5) Two Wooden Clothespins
6) A File
7) And Last Of All You Need WAY Too Much Time on Your Hands
Jake2607 says: May 29, 2012. 12:37 PM
Great guide. I've already made a few.
JATDO says: Mar 13, 2009. 1:28 PM
Why do you need the second clothespin?
samarai (author) in reply to JATDOMar 13, 2009. 3:19 PM
to glue that thing onto the top.. it secures the spring from popping out. If you look at the picture you can see it
Gigodorias in reply to samaraiFeb 9, 2012. 8:38 AM
I actually didn't need to use the second clothespin. If you hold down the spring while cocking it, instead of using an extra one, it saves a lot of time and work.
JATDO in reply to samaraiMar 13, 2009. 7:02 PM
ahhh I see but couldn't you use anything to secure it?
samarai (author) in reply to JATDOMar 14, 2009. 10:55 AM
Yeah but I wanted my design to be completely of clothespins, so thats what i used
davidnvn says: Mar 13, 2009. 7:40 PM
Is there a way to carving out the wood on the clothespin? I kinda stabbed myself trying, and it's going REALLY slowly Nice designs, by the way.
Gigodorias in reply to davidnvnFeb 9, 2012. 8:34 AM
I actually used the regular cone-shaped sanding/deburring tool on my Dremel. I made a base, or a small root in the wood, then used sanding paper like a maniac.
Wafflicious in reply to davidnvnNov 10, 2009. 6:40 AM
I use a small jig saw
racecar96 in reply to davidnvnMay 25, 2009. 11:17 AM
carve away from yourself in small slits
Crakur in reply to davidnvnApr 17, 2009. 6:40 PM
try using an exacto knife with a flat blade, use it like a chisel
samarai (author) in reply to davidnvnMar 14, 2009. 10:59 AM
You could probably use a dremel tool if you used the right attachment but other than that I don't know.. I just used the box cutter to carve it out
racecar96 in reply to samaraiMay 25, 2009. 11:18 AM
i have one of those do you meen the saw add on
zoltzerino in reply to samaraiApr 19, 2009. 10:42 AM
dremels can be used for anything... even constapation (with the whisk attachment). ZZZZ
2qwe2 says: Apr 13, 2011. 12:20 AM
how long is took u
12345123451234567890 says: Oct 23, 2010. 12:46 AM
can u use a plastic clothespin?
applefritters says: May 19, 2010. 8:58 PM
Actually, you can ignite strike anywhere matches when you shoot. to do this, place the head of the match in, and make sure the spring part that shoots the projectile hits the head of the match. hope that makes sense...
kwlweapons says: Mar 10, 2009. 8:24 PM
what did you use as handle for the one that looks like a pistol
samarai (author) in reply to kwlweaponsMar 11, 2009. 8:44 AM
I used two ends of a clothespin super glued together, then i sanded them down alot. Everything pictured is completely clothespins
AGT563 in reply to samaraiMar 12, 2010. 12:40 AM
samrai have you tried tiping your darts with steal that's what I did with the darts for my mini crossbows wich are about the same size as your clothespin gun and they will stick into people and many other things but dant try it if you dont want it to hurt a bit.
AGT563 says: Mar 12, 2010. 12:27 AM
Hay samarai I think your clothespin gun is cool I my self have made several mini crossbows they are about the same size as your clothespin gun my cross bows have good range depending on the darts I use the darts have a flat and sharp steel tip and they hurt I shot my self in the hand wile testing a prototype it's release mechanism had a mind of it's own a friend told me to shoot him with one and the dart stuck in.
austin_rules says: Feb 25, 2010. 4:52 PM
 sweet

swimmer95 says: Jan 12, 2010. 9:20 AM
does the pistol shoot?
Colonel88 says: Dec 12, 2009. 6:33 PM
Watch out so you don't make the flat curved out thing on one of the sides too deep. If it is too deep, then the metal spring thing will avoid the match and just go over it. DOn't make it too deep! I did  that on my seond try... 1st one wasn't that accurate, went left, eight, and straight.  Oh well. Good job by the way.

5* and faved.
zombie1 says: Dec 2, 2009. 12:49 PM
these are the best made ones i've seen
coolman35 says: Oct 25, 2009. 8:39 PM
hi samarai this is cool but how do i make the pistol
Wafflicious in reply to coolman35Nov 10, 2009. 6:39 AM
Turn it upside down then put a Handel on it.
knex_mepalm says: Aug 28, 2009. 4:52 AM
i really wanna make this but my dad says im too young for projects, now to sneak some stuff, i got the glue, the file and the time, now to sneak out some knives
iAmCamYee says: Jul 22, 2009. 10:41 PM
does your guns have trouble reloading?? mine always
luneytune900 says: Jul 1, 2009. 11:57 AM
wow!!!...thats rele kwl!!!....i make these all the time but not like that!!!
Crakur says: Apr 17, 2009. 6:41 PM
1. nice one, im about to make it! 2. you could hurt yourself if you shot it at someone?0_o
Aklash, The hunchback in reply to CrakurJun 6, 2009. 1:05 PM
ya, if you shoot someone you could hurt yourself(i.e. you shoot them, they hurt you)
heheheq says: Apr 29, 2009. 9:03 AM
DAMN! I love it. It is amazing. THough, one thing, you should make the clothepins a little strong by plating it with metal, because somethimes the fronts sanp if you use it a lot
Lemmonz says: Apr 24, 2009. 6:34 PM
dang i cant get it with then knife...any other way i can carve?? that easier lol
Lemmonz in reply to LemmonzApr 24, 2009. 6:41 PM
nvm lol i got it
Jupitane says: Apr 15, 2009. 5:44 PM
so will it light when you shoot it?
Activ-ate says: Mar 24, 2009. 6:57 PM
how do u make the pistol one?
REA says: Mar 12, 2009. 2:30 PM
lol terrorist knife
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