Sunday, January 31, 2010

3D video: my most beautiful slingshot

Here is the first 3D slingshot presentation on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JQPDSt6bGM

You do need some type of supported 3D glasses, including all of the cardboard types.

If you don't have 3D glasses, then you can still watch the video, just not in 3D. Simply select the right or left channel only, then you see the 2D version. It is worth it, a beautiful slingshot!

If you should be interested in the background of 3D filming and the different types of glasses, then this video could be interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E83i7sXAA74

Enjoy! And let me know what you think.

Jörg

Saturday, January 30, 2010

My most beautiful slingshot





Hello,

after so many ball bearinged compound whatever slingshots, I really wanted to make a designer slingshot for a change.

First, the band attachments bother me. I mean, they work, but they are not a pretty sight. So I developed a way to hide the attachments! The bands come clean out of the fork.

Then, I used steel cable for the grip. That is a b***h to wrap around the grip, but very rewarding in the end.

I added a bit of heavy black rope to make the thunb+forefinger grip more comfortable.

Then, I put a bit a leather beneath the fork arms to hide the welding (which looked OK, just not perfect).

Also, I used the slotted pouch for a cooler look.

This is a really nice slingshot. Of course the beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and others may think it is cheesy - but I think it is beautiful, and it shoots well.

3D camera finished



I finished my 3D High Def Cam today. It looks just like a slingshot!

Here are some pics:

In the first pic, one camera is set to photo mode (8 MPix) and the other one to video (1440x1080p).

In real life, you'd either shoot video OR stills of course, this is just to show what is possible.

Very lightweight, just under a pound (400 gramms).

Of course, this cam is for great lighting conditions only. But that is OK, it is just for tests.

Friday, January 29, 2010

New pouch concept!


The discussions about the lifespan of flat bands have been inspiring. Most shooters confirmed my experiences: The bands always break close to the pouch, and some forum members said that the kinking may be responsible for that.

So I "designed" (it is really a simple idea) a pouch with slits, made for looped flat bands. I call this the "Reverse Chinese Loop" method.

Advantages: Longer band life (hopefully), cleaner look, no band loss for pouch attachment, thinner pouch (no kinked rubber and string).

Disadvantage: Cutting the tapered bands is a little harder, you have to cut them in a romboid style.

But that is not so hard, you simply fold the band in the middle. So you cut a 44 cm long piece of rubber from the roll, then you fold it at 22 cm. Then you use your pen, mark it, say, 3 cm at the "open" side and 2 cm at the folded side. Then you cut both layers. That would give you a band that is 2 cm X 2cm at the pouch and 3 cm X 3 cm at the fork (like the Fish Hunter). This tapering automatically centers the pouch.

Tested this on my trusted old Freddy, works like a charm!

We will see how long the bands last.

PS: This idea was inspired by the Saunders plastic pouch, and also of course by the Chinese "pretzel" shooters. I am sure someone used it decades ago already. But I haven't seen this concept used recently.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Slingshot Channel will go 3D!

Youtube now supports 3D!

If you type in "yt3d:enable=true" into the youtube search, then you will see lots of videos that are made in 3D.

You need to use 3D glasses, many types are supported. So if you have some 3D cardboard glasses lying around, great! Go ahead and find them, all kinds are supported.

Soon, the first 3D slingshot video will come out. You can also watch it in 2D if you don't have glasses or if you prefer 2D.

The Slingshot Channel will use a home made high definition 3D camera for the purpose.

Will be interesting!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Slingshot Forum Guide

The web is a huge place, and it is not easy to find the right websites. Therefore, here is a video that gives an overview about the sites with discussions and information about slingshots!

The links can be found in the text video descritions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1zyX9p-C5U

Three new slingshot videos!

Hello,

as I could not make a video the last weekend, I made three today!

Here they are.

First, two new slingshots, the "YY" and the "4x4":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bfdIzfLWTY

Then, a penetration test into the cheek of a hog, with the thick skin still on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxhpHP-x3o0

Last not least, a short presentation of my enhancement to the Dankung "Warrior".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7iTpFdim3U

The original review can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrlam2C7GmQ

Greetings, Jörg

Saturday, January 23, 2010




Hello,

have been busy in the workshop today.

My newest creation is another compound slingshot, this time using four pulleys, of course all of them equipped with ball bearings.

This compound slingshot is really compact, because the rubber is stored very efficiently on two rollers per band. The slingshot is just 18 cm wide (7") and 15,5 cm (6") high, but it enhances the draw length by 17 cm per side! This means there is almost no more dead play in the action, my entire draw length is used effectively.

It shoots very good. I will do a video tomorrow including some action. Will be fun!

It looks a little bit like a candle holder - but I need to find a better name than that... ideas, anyone?

Friday, January 22, 2010

Pimp my Dankung



Some of you may have seen my review about the Dankung "Warrior" slingshot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrlam2C7GmQ

I had some free time today, so I decided to enhance it as good as possible.

In order to make it larger, but also more ergonomical, I replaced the original, very thin paracord with nice, heavy rope. I used the original stuff to cushion the fork ears (that were not wrapped when the slingshot arrived).

Also, I replaced the original, very short, tough but slow tubular bands with a set of thiiiiin Thera Band black, cut 14 cm x 9 cm x 22 cm.

The result is astounding! A different slingshot. Very powerful, but easy to draw, and much nicer to hold. It still is a little small for me, and the attachment leaves a lot to be desired, but this souped up version is gazillions better than the original setup.

Took just about 30 minutes work and maybe 5 dollars investment!

Monday, January 18, 2010

"The YY" - new compound slingshot design



Hello,

the compound slingshot concept for flat bands was a very good and popular idea. I got many positive comments about it.

So I decided to work some more on the concept. I wanted to get rid of the guide rod that is necessary so the bands won't slip of the rollers, and also I wanted a design that has no forward extended rods for the bands so the hand is not in the way.

The solution: Wider pulleys and a more straight band attachment method. The slingshot that came out is a bit bulky, but very beautiful (I think). The ball bearings in the wide stainless steel pulleys make the action super smooth.

It is shot with the bands set up like in the first picture, the second picture is just to show the attachment method.

This is a very fast shooting slingshot! Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

1000 subscribers!

Not even three months after no. 500 signed up as a youtube subscriber of The Slingshot Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/JoergSprave), the 1000st youtuber subscribed (on Jan. 11, 2010)!

The growing rate of the channel is staggering. It took almost 9 months to get the first 500! At this rate number 2000 isn't going to take long.

In good tradition, the lucky winner will receive a free "surprise" slingshot.

This time, the slingshot goes to the Czech Republic. Here are a few words from the winner himself:

----------------------------------------
My name is Pavel,

i am from Czech Republic and since i was a kid i use to make myself slingshots,testing them and enjoying this passion with my friends.Unfortunately i was living for a long time in a big city and had not a lot of oportunity and time for slingshots,but few months ago i have moved to my native village and discovered your videos,this gave me again the desire to make some new slingshots and i am really enjoying it.Big thanks to Jörg for sharing his passion,his videos,impressions and advices with us .I hope you will open The Jörg slingshot store one day or just keeping your blog alive.

Thanks again to you and the other slingshoters .

Best regards

Pavel

-------------------------------------

Welcome, Pavel, to our community!


Saturday, January 9, 2010

New slingshot: "The Snaffle"




Hello,

some time ago, I watched a youtube video made by a little boy, showing off a slingshot he calls "gloveshot".

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HVk03seKpk[/url]

I thought that the idea has potential, so I made my version of the "Gloveshot" today, as always from stainless steel.

I had to change the kid's original design a bit to allow strong bands.

I have to say that I am really pleased with the result! Absolutely exciting is the the totally relaxed fingers. As you can see in the third pic, you don't even have to close your fist. Smitty, I think you will simply love this design.

Of course, without the hand brace, this would not work at all, the grip would rotate in your hand even when you use very light bands. But this works with really heavy bands, it is true, the forearm muscles are way more powerful when the fist is horizontal.

I think the fork could be a bit lower, will do some high speed video tomorrow to verify.

Other than that, so far I think it is pretty much perfect!

Video will follow on Sunday.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Compound slingshot with pulleys

On the eternal hunt for power, I designed another draw length enhanced slingshot. I think it is one of my most appealing models ever!

Have finished the video, including the reloading process.

Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_hJhe2arqk

Regards


Jörg

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Video: Three designs, including Firecracker Launcher

Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tseT_NAkVro

New video by Flatband: Basic slingshot types

One of the most famous slingshot afficionados has just uploaded his first video. The basic slingshot types are explained by the master himself! This is a must-have-seen for every avid slingshot fan out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8_2w0ZfAmc