Recently I have been looking at slingshots more and more. Mainly to give me something to do at work while supervising idiots, I mean inmates.
Have had a few minor discussions with one or two people here about them. Even gotten some interest if I decide to start producing them. Well, I hope today to get a couple quick prototypes done. Son I law has mentioned taking me to his work's woodshop to use the bandsaw and big disc sander. I think he wants one, too.
First prototypes will be lexan so I can get a template. These will be made for primarily flat bands. Have read that they are typically faster and easier to make yourself.
First pic is single thickness lexan. Second is when I layered two and glued them together with CA glue. Third picture is the designs I found online I want to try first. One will fit in an Altoids tin.
Here is a better picture of the patterns I found. They were all free patterns on the slingshot forum. Have some flat band material being delivered today. Son in law has a brother coming in from Reno and is bringing me a box of bands.
If I can find a good source of birch plywood or an old skateboard deck, I'll cut some wooden ones out and finish them up and try them as well.
Post by itshardtoknow on May 9, 2015 8:18:54 GMT -8
Really cool that you'll be making these (at the very least for yourself)
I like the Lexan idea, and also the skakeboard deck idea. Then you'd get some cool graphics on one side. BUT with the skateboard deck, it wouldnt be flat, they have a lot of curves to them, I dont know if that'll mess you up or not.
I realize that skateboard decks are curved, but I am using that to my advantage. Still haven't found a used one yet here in Tonopah. I will only use a deck for a smaller slingshot. For the larger ones, you want to use 11 ply Baltic Birch plywood or better. Most larger ones are 3/4" thick or more. Some are laminated to almost 2" thick in places for strength.
If all else fails, I will pick up a coping saw and cut them by hand. That will take a lot longer, but will still give me the same final designs.
Post by itshardtoknow on May 9, 2015 10:31:51 GMT -8
Im sure you have, but.... -first search to see if there are any skateshops near you -online
look for blanks, just skateboards with no graphics and usually pretty cheap (about half the price of graphic models...or they were when I was still skate a few years back). They were around 20 bucks for a new board.
OR if you have a shop near by, ask if they have any broken boards you can get for free or super cheap
The closest skate shop is probably at least 100 miles away from me. I may be able to post in the local want ads for some decks. I think that the decks with logos would make a killer looking slingshot. At least it would make them unique. Peel the grip tape off the back and sand all edges except the logo side. Then clear coat with a nice spray lacquer or varnish.
If I was to make small Altoid tin sized ones, I could get a lot out of one skate board. And, so far, all the designs I have seen are for smaller ones that are usually referred to as a Pickle Fork Shooter. And that kind can be made out of almost anything. I've seen them made from old disposable razor handles for example.
Working on the final shaping and sanding today. Hopefully I'll have a couple done by tonight. Kids are coming over for dinner so we'll see what happens. The double thick one has been shaped a lot more than the others because I had access to a round file while I was at the shop and made quick work of the rough shaping. The others aren't going to be shaped as much so I can do it with sandpaper here at the house.
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Number two had a band failure. Which is probably due to a poor connection. Still learning how to connect them to the frame.
But, the first one shot some marbles quite well. The pouch was perfectly sized for marbles. Just need to set up a target and practice. Practice. Practice.