hand operated trebuchet/tennis ball hurler/staff sling

i wanted to build a trebuchet but i didnt have the materials for something like that

so i thought up this little thing that can fling a tennis ball over 100 feet

its half trebuchet and half atalatl (if you even know what an atalatl is :D)

Step 1 Materials

Materials:
1. 3 ft. Dowel rod that isnt too thick for your hands
2. Strong string (i used shoe lace)
3. Power drill with drill bit
4. Strong cloth stuff (i used old pair of pants, a shirt wouldnt work)
5. Metal clothes hanger
6. Key chain ring
7. Needle-Nose pliers (ones with wire cutter)
8. Gel type super glue (hot glue might work)
9. Scissors
10. Stapler
11. Tennis Balls

Comments

[bokrugthewaterlizard]

I would like to note that these have existed for a very long time. When gunpowder was first utilized as a weapon, the staff sling was often used to hurl the resulting incendiary devices. I can't find much information about when the staff sling was first invented, but It features in several pieces of art dating back at least to the middle ages.

[nutsandbolts_64]

 I'm thinking a piece of bamboo, since I have no dowel rod which doesn't exist within more than a thousand kilometers around my place, and a wood screw which gives me a simpler version of that device (I don't know any other short way to describe it). Shoe laces are out of my reach so substitute with some hemp twine. The pouch would be just some spare pieces of cloth sewn together. I don't want to use key chain ring so I'm gonna substitute with some wire.

In short I'm gonna make a simpler version of that device that provides leverage to fling a tennis ball (or similar) a hundred feet or more. 

[LaBeasy]

Fyi, i have one of these, i actually did a science fair project over it a while ago, i find that it can fling further if you tie (or attach with an eyehole screw) onto the pole around 3 inches away from the end. it will give you a little bit more distance, and a bit more control too!!

[totjup2]

atlatl:def primitive spear throwing device. isint being smart great! $;)

[15zhangfra]

o, and if you want a braided how to, try http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1229714126 its real nice, but the staff sling was a god idea, i have to give you that

[15zhangfra]

not to be mean, but most people need to get real, the sling should be braided unless your using para cord or rope, twisted and non braided strands have a possibility of breaking (non braided) or if the strands are twisted, you most likely will have a dramatic loss of power with twisted because it will give. if your staff sling had been braided or para cord, you could have gone over 1000 feet with that by now.

[Kiteman]

That's a well-made sling. Nice job.

[mynameiswillem]

if you liked this sling im probably gonna be making an instructable for a regular sling, just to let you know :D

[Kiteman]

Excellent - I'll watch for it.

[mynameiswillem]

thanks :D

[CaseyCase]

Fun instructable. It's called a "staff sling." I like to hurl snowballs with one.

[mynameiswillem]

if you liked this instructable im gonna be making another instructable for just a regular sling, just to let you know :D

[mynameiswillem]

thats a good idea! but its not snowing where live, not yet at least

[CaseyCase]

Well, when it does, you will have all the neighborhood kids cowering in fear!

[mynameiswillem]

haha ya :D