Make a Sling Shot
Slingshots are versatile weapons. With the right construction and ammunition, this ancient device can be used for hunting small game in a survival situation, and modified versions can be used indoors. This article provides instructions for making both a legit sling shot for the outdoors, and a fun marshmallow launcher for indoor fun.
Contents
Steps
Making a Standard Outdoor Slingshot
- Locate wood. The goal is to find the sturdiest Y-shaped piece of wood you can find. You can make a slingshot with a forked branch of just about any size, but a piece about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long with a fairly uniform thickness of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} will make a strong, easy-to-use slingshot.
- Try to find a piece with as few imperfections as possible--even moderate cracks can render your slingshot dangerous or unusable. If there are knots or bumps you can cut or sand them off.
- You can peel off the bark to make the handle more comfortable to hold.
- Dry out your wood. If you're working with wood that has recently been cut, it will contain moisture that will not make for a very sturdy sling shot. To dry your wood fork out quickly, pop in in your microwave oven.
- Wrap your fork in a kitchen dish towel and pop it into the microwave. Heat it on high in a series of 30 second intervals.
- After every 30 second interval, allow the wood to rest for a few seconds and listen for hissing. Once the hissing has stopped, all the moisture has been removed from the wood, and you can proceed to the next step.
- Carve some notches. With a sharp pocket knife, make a notch towards the top of each of the fork prongs. The notch should be where you want to attach your bands. An inch or so from the end of the prong is a good location.
- Cut your tubing. ¼" latex surgical tubing (found at hardware stores) is a good, solid option for a firing mechanism. Determine how long you want your bands to be. Shorter bands will produce more powerful shots, but you need some give to be able to pull the band back.
- When you have determined the desired tube length, double it and cut it in half, yielding two tubes of equal length.
- Attach the tubing to your wooden fork at the notch. Wrap one end of the tubing around a fork prong and back on itself to form a "C" shape. The tail end should approximately 1" long.
- Tightly wind a 10" piece of dental floss around both lengths of the tubing so the tubing is firmly affixed to the wooden prong. Tie a square knot to secure the floss and trim off any excess.
- Repeat this tube attachment on the other wooden prong.
- Make your pouch. You can buy a rectangular piece of leather or strong cloth from a hobby or fabric store. This material should measure approximately 4" wide by 2" high.
- Cut a slit on each side of the pouch. Use a knife to make an incision about ¼" to ½" in from each of the shorter edges. The slits should be just large enough for the tubing to fit through.
- You can opt to trim off ½" from all the corners of the rectangle. This octagonal shape cups and supports the rock or stone you are shooting with.
- Slip one end of one of your rubber bands through the slit and fold it back over itself so that it makes a little loop around the edge of the pocket. Secure the loop (as you did when you attached the tubing to the prong) by wrapping dental floss around both lengths of tubing. Secure with a firm knot, and repeat on the other side.
- Practice using your slingshot! Try using small rocks or stones to shoot at targets. Use caution when shooting around people and pets.
Making an Indoor Slingshot
- Make your plunger. Cut one of the toilet-paper tubes in half, lengthwise. Squeeze and manipulate it so it’s approximately half its original diameter. Tape it in place.
- Insert your pencil. Punch two holes ½" from the end, opposite each other. Insert a pencil through the two holes, twisting as you go.
- Make your barrel. Take your other toilet paper tube and draw two ½" parallel lines straight down from the rim. Use scissors to cut along the two lines. You will now have a tab.
- Draw another set of identical lines on the same end of the tube, opposite the lines you just cut. Cut on these lines.
- Push a rubber band into one set of slits so one end wraps around the tab. The long end of the rubber band should hang outside the tube. Repeat on the other side.
- Assemble the marshmallow slingshot. Fit the smaller tube into bottom of the larger tube. The pencil should be located at the bottom. Hook each rubber band around an end of the pencil.
- Load, aim and fire! Place a marshmallow in the top of the barrel, making sure it is on top of the plunger. Hold the barrel and pull back on the pencil to stretch the rubber bands. Release the plunger and watch as your marshmallow sails across the room!
Tips
- Tightly wrap the handle with tape or twine to provide a surer, more comfortable grip.
- To protect your eyes, don't raise the slingshot to eye level. With practice you can be just as accurate (or more) by holding the loaded pocket in a fixed position close to your body (near the hip for example), and moving the body of the slingshot to aim.
- You can make slingshots of just about any size. Try varying sizes to find out which work best.
- Be careful when you are making the pouch. You may accidentally cut your finger.
- You can alway have a marshmallow sling shot fight for fun. No one can get hurt.
- It will be best if you use flexible/bendable, but strong wood.
- If using anything other than a marshmallow as your bullet, keep in mind that caution should be used around people or animals as injury could easily occur.
Warnings
- Protect your eyes and use your slingshot with care.
- Never fire your slingshot in the direction of people or animals. Your slingshot should be treated with the same caution as a deadly weapon.
Things You'll Need
Standard Outdoor Slingshot
- A sturdy, Y-shaped piece of wood
- Microwave oven
- Sharp pocket knife
- A yard of ¼" latex surgical tubing
- Dental floss
- A 2" x 4" piece of leather or sturdy material, such as canvas
Indoor Slingshot
- 2 toilet-paper tubes (or 1 paper-towel tube, cut in half)
- Tape
- Single-hole punch (optional)
- Stubby pencil
- Pen or marker
- 2 thin rubber bands
- Scissors
- Marshmallow (or small ball)
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