Introduction: Giant Pocket Slingshot - Angry NachoMahma Game

Soooooooiiiieee.

Make this giant pocket slingshot to launch your Angry Nachos. A real life version of the popular Angry Birds game - this is our instructables member Angry NachoMahma  version.

Okay, this might not fit in your pocket but use this Yankee invention to get in on the craze, well, the crazies.

(Note: Probably no video of this in action.  I think my neighbors would rat me out for being more than the terrorist that I am if I used this outdoors. That's livin' for the city. )


CAUTION:  Weapons of any sort are dangerous.  Know how to safely use, clear, maintain and break down into basic components in the dark....wait


Step 1: Hunting for Supplies

For this you need to find something like a ginormous divining rod.
It's the size that counts, not how you use it.

Normally, you can't find a perfectly configured branch or stick in the shape of a big Y.  A real branch probably wouldn't be strong enough for our purposes.

Now if you don't live in the middle of the woods, we are going to engineer this piece of lumber out of some scrap wood and papier mache over it.

You will need:

scrap pieces of wood - square stock, leftover pieces of moulding, dowels, etc

screws, brads, nails, doweling system - anything to help secure the wood pieces together

cardboard and scrap paper - to camouflage and simulate the bark of a branch

glue - not as much as some other fn cardboard projects.

a pair of balls - I just made the minimal launched object and target object.  You can have more or less.  I used some foam balls because I didn't want to play hardball.

some elastic band anything will do for the propulsion mechanism, use a piece rubber bicycle tire or silicone surgical tubing

craft foam for decoration

hot glue gun to apply decorative pieces.

permanent marker to draw on some details.

stapler - can be heavy hand held tacker, just used to help start the cardboard strips to be glued on

utility knife, scissors - used to cut cardboard

CAUTION: Know how to use your craft tools safely.  Sharp things can cut. Hot things can burn.



Step 2: Brace Yourself

Let's build a Y-shaped rod that is divine.

From the wood scrap pile, grab pieces that are long and narrow.

We need to build the internal frame structure.  It needs to be able to resist the pull of the launching band.

Cut up and mock up your pieces into the desired shape.

Try to overlap the pieces at the Y intersection.

Glue and fasten with fasterners if you can.  I predrilled so as not to split the pieces when the screw is driven in.

Reinforce the pieces with more wood strips glued on.

Start wrapping and gluing strips of corrugated cardboard.  You can slightly angle the wrap and squeeze down to compact the papier mache.  This all adds to the character of the "wood branch" when the glue dries.

Staple one end to fix the end of a strip of cardboard.  Wrap around tightly.

The strips will randomly give variations in branch thickness adding to the realism of the final product.

When you get the desired thickness, bridge the major gaps in the cardboard strips with another layer of cardboard to smooth out.

Since I was not going to paint this when finished, I used a mix of gray wrapping paper and brown paper from a paper bag to form the final layer.  Tear in random pieces and papier mache. This would give a mottled sycamore type bark effect.  Feel free to simulate the local native species of wood.

When completely dried, it should be a fine looking scion, with the nut that fell from the tree standing next to it.




Step 3: Leader of the Band

Let's talk frankly, men, normal men, real men, wear their underwear until the underwear wears out.  What you have left is the waistband and two threads hanging down.

Here is a waistband salvaged from such an atrocity.   So go rescue and upcycle the elastic band from your hillbilly g-string or Arkansas banana sling.

Cut the loop so you get a long strip.

At the ends, loop the elastic around the Y-stick and mark where it is stretched to fit.  Sew a seam or bartack to make it a permanent loop.  This is how we will secure the ends of the elastic band to the ends of the stick.  You just need to slip the loop over the end of the stick and it should hold there.

You should be able to pull back and test the elastic band on the slingshot.

Step 4: Add Character

Go find your balls.

These were already painted with a color scheme I needed.  You may need to spray paint yours.

Cut out decorative pieces to hot glue on.

Use a permanent marker to draw in the final details.


Step 5: Pull!

Set up your target configuration.  Use blocks of wood, blocks of ice, etc...

The slingshot can be put in the ground like a tent stake.

Put your Angry Nacho in the slingshot.

Pull waaaaaaay back, aim, and let go!

Wooooieeee!

Halloween Props Challenge

Participated in the
Halloween Props Challenge

Green Living & Technology Challenge

Participated in the
Green Living & Technology Challenge

Launch It! Challenge

Participated in the
Launch It! Challenge