Introduction: Launch It! Wood Sling Shot
Now u could just pick up a Y shaped stick that u found and use it but it wont be as strong and its more fun to make your own frame.
this instructable is easy to do it will take more than 1 day to build because its constructed with 5 min epoxy so you have to give it time to dry i finished it in 2 days working off and on.
Always use safety glasses when shooting a previous sling design had a habit of firing backwards on occasion, thank god i didnt have contacts back then or id be blind in one eye.
Step 1: Get Your Materials
3 5 inch X 3/8ths X 3/8ths balsa wood (aprox) 2 inch X 3/8ths X 3/8ths balsa wood (aprox) 5 min epoxy (craft/hobby store)4-8 rubber bands depending on size thickness and strechyness stirring sticks for epoxycup for mixing epoxy clamp/vice scissorswire cuter stringcloth for sling (see below)(i just used [http://www.acehardware.com/sm-scott-and-reg-rags-in-a-box-75260--pi-1275301.html Rags IN a Box]) staplerabout a cup of flower(i just used Rags IN a Box) as a substitute for cloth
Build in well ventilated area like out side or garage
always use safety glasses when firing
never shoot a living person tree or animal
(unless your using in paint ball which i dont recommend)
im not responsible for any thing you do if you damage something your self or some one not my fault
Step 2: Cut/glue Frame
cut a 45 angle off 2 pieces of wood
Mix the epoxy
glue the 2 pieces together wait about 5 min and glue the other piece on
with the 2 inch piece of balsa cut 2 pieces with 2 45 angles (see picture) and glue them into place. let dry
Step 3: Reforce Frame Pt 1
you need to re-enforce the frame.
trace the out line of the joint area with a pencil on some scrap balsa repeat like in pictures
glue using clamps let dry
Step 4: Re-enforce Part 2
this uses string and epoxy to make an extremely strong bond.
rap each arm in string like in pictures proceed to rap the rest of the joint area
rap about 2 inches down the handle
Glue, glue each side individually and wait for them to each dry
Step 5: Sling
build the sling using cloth (i just used Rags IN a Box) you could also use an old t shirt.
cut a strip the same thickness as the sling you want and 4X as long as the desired sling langth
fold it in half 2 and cut off the ends
staple
cut holes on each end
glue froward of staples
Step 6: Attaching Sling
Step 7: Fire!
just load sling with rocks, acorns, paint balls. what ever will fit in the sling. hold sling shot in dominate hand, pull back aim let go.
If your not satisfied with the range just add more rubber bands but not to many or you could snap th frame
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28 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
hello :D
14 years ago on Introduction
rubber bands are not strong enough to be compared to real slingshots. My father made slings using old tire rubber as rubber bands.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
still fires at 71 mph ( i just used a camera (30frames per sec), and a board marked at every inch i might post instructable i might post how)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I think this depends on the projectile you use. If you intend to use your slingshot in hunting and use a denser projectile (ball bearing or marble) then a stronger rubber might be needed. :-)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I would think balsa is kind of flimsy. When I was a kid I used to make these out of 3/4 ply and sometimes they'd still break.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
its strong enough i just shot rocks around and paintballs and other things i didnt need projectiles approaching the speed of sound. This sling shot is for plinking around back yards. you could make it out of stronger wood if you wanted
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i will post how* srry got distracted forgot to back space and then what i was saying
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yes tire interiors are far better than rubber bands. However silicone/rubber tubes propel your projectiles faster than interior rubber. :-)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
it still has pretty good range/power (watch the vid) my friend has a crossman sling shot and it shoots 100 feet farther than mine but his cost 20bucks mine i didnt spend any money on we had the stuff just laying around (so somebody did pay money just not me)
13 years ago on Introduction
I would say that it's not stronger than a forked branch, and your design is off. Also, you can buy latex rubber tubing that's much, much stronger than rubber bands at hard-ware stores. And you can't beat a leather shoe tongue for a pouch.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I agree! Rubber/silicone tubes shoot your projectiles much faster than rubber bands or interior rubber. Leather is also much more durable and can last for years.
13 years ago on Introduction
great instructable but for most people you actually hold your sling in indominent hand and pull back with dominent? i think pleese correct me if im wrong:}
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Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I think this varies from person to person. Many people shoot their slingshots the way they shoot a bow i.e. pulling the string with their dominant hand. I use my dominant (right) hand to hold the grip and stretch the slingshot at the same time. My left hand holds the sling next to my cheek as I push the grip forward and shoot. :-)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I shoot a bow with my dominant (right) hand on the string and my indominant hand holding the bow. With a slingshot though, I find that my indominant (nondominant?) hand pulling, and my dominant hand on the slingshot, gives me more strength and accuracy.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, that's what I do. But it might just be because of years of archery...
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
i hold it in my left hand and pull back the sling with dominant hand
11 years ago on Introduction
sorry i need 2 put you down a little:
That was *beep*
14 years ago on Introduction
how do you have a range of 30 to 200 feet?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
you can shoot around 35 ft by getting strong enough elastics shoot harder
and father and get used to a higher raneg even do target peratice until you
reach far enough and try pulling back harder
hope you use it in peace
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
sorry that didnt make any sense, i changed it. thank u