Laser Cut Sling Shot With Felted Wool Ammunition

This laser cut slingshot and soft felted wool ammunition balls are easy to make and a huge hit with kids and adults!

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials:

• Thin plywood - I used 0.2" thin birch plywood
• Sandpaper
• Elastic band(s)
• Thin leather
• Acrylic paints
• Wool for felting

Tools:

• Laser cutter (or you could cut out a template of a slingshot using another method)
• Paintbrush
• Sharp scissors
• Felting needle

Step 2: Design and Cut

I downloaded a sling shot logo by Erich Grois from the noun project. Using CorelDRAW, I simplified his design by taking the outline and simplifying the shape of the handle. I added holes to tie elastics through.

I cut out 2 sling shot designs out of 0.2" thin plywood using YuKonstruct's laser cutter.

Feel free to download the design attached here.

Step 3: Glue and Sand

Using strong wood glue, I stuck two slingshot cut outs together. This makes it a bit stronger as I was using pretty thin wood.

I then sanded the entire piece, rounding the edges slightly.

Step 4: Paint

I decorated the handle of my slingshot using acrylic paints and painters tape. I also painted all of the edges (all the way around the slingshot) as well.

I made a few mistakes here - going out of the lines, but sandpaper cleaned it right up.

Step 5: Assemble

I cut out a rounded rectangular piece of thin leather for the ammunition holder and made two small punctures about half a centimetre from the side edges.

Then I cut a large strong elastic band in half and tied it to the slingshot handle and the ammunition holder.

Step 6: Ammunition - Felted Balls

I use a felting needle to make these wool balls.

Essentially I take a small lump of wool, roll it into a ball, and then stab it with a felting need rotating and shaping as I go. Once I get a fairly uniform shape and a firm ball I stop.

If you haven't felted before, this is a video showing the same technique that I use. There is another method using soap, hot and cold water demonstrated in this video that would also work well.

Step 7: Play

This slingshot shoots the little felted balls a surprising distance! Have fun!