Thursday, September 1, 2011

New slingshot from common dogwood








After the slingshot cannon, I really only had like one evening time to make one more frame before I have to go on a weeklong business trip to Berlin.

I took one of my common dogwood naturals that I harvested a few weeks ago, sawed it into a rough shape and microwaved the remaining moisture out of it. Then I took the knife and rasp to it.

After the polishing, I saw some small cracks, very normal for a hardwood like that. No big deal, simply filled them with epoxy.

Banded it up with a triple TB Gold butterfly bandset, ready to achieve energy levels over 90 Joules.

173 comments:

  1. hi i have tried making one like the one you have made above (no metal), however it was poplar and broke when i pulled it back. do put metal rods in all of your slingshots? this one here appears to not have a rod or rods.

    it looked very much like the one in the first picture but without the bark.

    thank you for your time,

    dave

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  2. Hardwood naturals don't need metal rods. Boardcuts, different issue.

    I also stress test all of my frames before banding them up. Simply attach some rope instead of the rubber, clamp the frame in a vise and pull back with both arms, one foot against the bench. If it holds, then you are safe.

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  3. You have a very inventive mind how do you come up with this stuff?

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  4. Come up with what? Carving? :)

    Seriously, I just like to invent and make things. It feels good to own and present the final product.

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  5. where do i comment to try and win a slingshot?

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  7. thanks. whats the general area you live in?

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  8. Realy nice natural. Id like to make one atleast half from what you made :)

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  9. Joerg, I like and enjoy most of what you post, but please forgive me for my lackluster response to this very nice sling-shot. It seems it going to take me awhile to get down from the euphoria of your grand beast of a slamming cannon. I am quite proud of my personal sling-shot, so I do appreciate the ones you make with a sense of pride, but most sling-shots now seem, to me, as... well, mundane compared to that cannon that tickled me to no end. You have set the bar high, very high and whetted my interest immeasurably. I will calm down, but it will take me more time. :)

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  10. Looks like bone almost! Very nice! I saved a few forks after Hurricane Irene came through, I'll be making some naturals in the coming weeks as well I hope! Thanks for the constant inspiration!

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  11. Well done, Jörg! Could you explain which polishing tools you use to get this glossy finish? I tried this once with a polishing disc, I nomally use for metal, but it didn't work well. Thanks!

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  12. Oh ha ich hätte schiss mit ner natural und triple Tera das mir nach nen paar schüssen das ding um die ohren fliegt. Mit 1 oder 2 bekommt man das ja noch halbwegs mit wenn das ding brechen will. Aber dreifach und dann noch butterfly. Respekt dafür.

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  13. I have a dogwood in my yard I might make one today too now!

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  14. Two questions, how long did you microwave it for and how long does it take to go through the whole process?

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  15. Hope you get good use out of it!

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  16. I like your method of stress testing!

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  17. Whats stronger TB gold or black?

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  18. Can you give an idea of how thick that was to start and how thick it is finished?

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  19. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0

    You vs him who wins?

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  20. You really are brilliant^^ looks Awesome, how much Dogwood have you left?

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  21. That's some accuracy for an old guy!

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  22. I remember cutting down a branch from my mom's dogwood when I was younger. She got so mad but the slingshot was great! Nice work!

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  23. I'm going to try making one, I'll be lucky if it comes out half as nice!

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  24. If I wanted to make one but don't have leather do you have any alternative pouch suggestions?

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  25. Nice looking slingshot. I have my eye on some dogwood on our property, and recently harvested some crepe myrtle forks as well. This will inspire.

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  26. A tree branch never looked so good!

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  27. I like it! Hopefully you can give us an in-depth tutorial sometime!

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    Replies
    1. In-depth tutorial? You can't figure out how to trim a tree fork down?

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    2. In-depth tutorial? You can't figure out how to trim a tree fork down?

      Delete
  28. Let us know how this one compares to the natural and antler slingshot from not too long ago!

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  29. what is put on? varnish or what?

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  30. The finished shine looks very nice!

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  31. Sounds like its going to be pretty powerful too!

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  32. Very cool looking finish!

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  33. Very nice looking, at first I thought it was a deer antler. It looks rather comfortable to hold also.

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  34. How long did that take to make?

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  35. Your steps and pictures make it look easy! Very inspirational!

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  36. Congrats on another good slingshot!

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  37. My first slingshot was a dogwood, didn't have the tools to polish it and it definitely wasn't as powerful as this one looks!

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  38. You have a real nice classic shooter there, it doesn't get much better than that ... well maybe with a cannon it does!

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  39. I love the finish, amazing slinghsot!

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  40. How do you prefer your forks do you like them short like that, long, low, etc.?

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  41. Dmitri can you find an old belt, they usually work maybe not as good as workable leather but its an alternative.

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  42. That finish is beautiful. It makes the thing look more like ivory than like wood.

    Cheers ..... Charles

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  43. Beautiful slingshot the handle reminds me of a wasp abdomen ready to sting.

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  44. I never had a slingshot as a kid, I need to make one of these.

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  45. Hello Jörg, Berlin?! .. I think you should start fanclub-meeting-events if you are out of home .. beer and slingshots .. not really safe, but worth a try. Don't drink and sling? ;)
    Your Berlin Fan
    Sebastian

    PS: By the way, a really amazing one, you did here.

    PS2: Many of us (following the other comments) are hardly interested on a look behind the scenes. Why don't you start a "course" in slingshot-science? What bands to us, how long, black/gold/blue? What does butterfly mean? Why do people fear butterfly and cracks in the wooden handle of this slingshot? .. It seems to many that many of us aren't that experienced slingshooters .. but interested in the issue. I remind that older videos show more "tips & tricks", like the make-a-slingshot-without-welding"tape" that is still on youtube.

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  46. Can you explain the advantages and disadvantages of shooting butterfly vs shooting regularly?

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  47. I like that slingshot a lot. I hope it works well for you!

    Rabbit = correct, butterfly has a longer draw length, regular has higher draw weight, its really just preference. Butterfly does look cooler.

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  48. Hi Jörg :) do you yet have a website designer?

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  49. I follow Sebastian's wish for more courses, how-tos, tutorials, etc. The basic knowledge about slingshots might be sufficiently published already, but you brought up a lot of new ideas and techniques that are very interesting for other people. And you mentioned a couple of times, if I got you right, that you would like people to make use of these ideas.

    So maybe you could explain more HOW you make things. Of couse beside and NOT instead of your creative work from the past months.

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  50. Awesome slingshot!


    And tutorials alongside would be awesome too!
    Thanks for sharing your passion with the rest of us!

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  51. very interesting about the epoxy glue for the cracks, and metal rod if cut out from a board. I'm definitely learning little by little! glad I'm subscribed and thank you for sharing info/teaching!

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  52. The reverse order of the images is pretty nice.

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  53. @ Red 1977
    Gold is stronger then black.

    For the bands I think it goes like this:

    * Tan/Extra Thin
    * Yellow/Thin
    * Red/Medium
    * Green/Heavy
    * Blue/Extra Heavy
    * Black/Special Heavy
    * Silver/Super Heavy
    * Gold/Max

    As for the tubing:

    * Tan/Extra Thin
    * Yellow/Thin
    * Red/Medium
    * Green/Heavy
    * Blue/Extra Heavy
    * Black/Special Heavy
    * Silver/Super Heavy

    I am not sure of what the resistance of each is though.

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  54. I have located a chart for the resistance in pounds.

    http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/Busted11290/therabandchart.jpg

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  55. Sweetslingshot. Wish I could remember how many fps 90 joules translates to :-D

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  56. Looks very Nice!!!
    What question came to my mind: which "special" materials could you use to build a slinghhot?? (exept wood metal and plastic)

    In winter I'll try to build one out of ice...
    Any other ideas

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  57. Seeing that the more frigid months are coming down the pipe, I'd like to see some videos come out of your workshop itself, maybe? I'm looking into making a slingshot not too out of line with what you have there, and there are never enough instructional materials out there.

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  58. You sir are an artist. my home made slingshots are functional but they never as pretty.

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  59. I have one hobby where I actually "make" things. And that is Fly tying. It is very satisfying catching fish on flies you have tied. I'm sure your inventions and styles of slingshots are even more rewarding.

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  60. I think you do always make the same model of slingshots with the time.
    Just with different wood.
    Can that be?

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  61. After seeing this I literally went home and made a slingshot...

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  62. I tried to cut down a branch from my dogwood but my mom caught me :(

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  63. Thank you for the band strengths Robert P! Nice Slingshot!

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  64. Very cool slingshot!

    A how to video would be awesome!
    I always get the sizes wrong whether it be the pouch or bands it would be nice to have a template.

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  65. Hi everyone, I'm a bit new to the Slingshot world so this will probably sound like a daft question!

    i've been following the slingshot channel on youtube for a while and and some of the more powerful slingshots Jörg are amazing- he is even able to give power outputs for the various designs- which is what I'd love to be able to do this myself, how is this worked out ?

    thanks,

    Dave

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  66. i just saw the video for the slingshot cannon.... all i can say is wow... i want one.

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  67. I wish I could make one that easy!
    Does any one know of some other good woods or will any hardwood do?

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  68. Awesome!
    How many would you say are in your collection?

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  69. I see there's a lot of quesiton and I have too, do you ever use a wrist strap like on a wrist rocket for any of your slingshots? It seems like most of yours don't.

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  70. I like your new slingshot! I made one once but I wasn't very accurate with it. Any tips?

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  71. Beautiful piece! Smooth and elegant curvature!!!!

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  72. Very cool. I just stumbled upon this site with my son. I fully expect for epic shenanigans to ensue. Thanks for sharing your craft.

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  73. Excellent job on polishing. That dogwood looks like polished stone.

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  74. Maybe I will get lucky once and one of mine will come out like that!

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  75. Nice, looks better then any of my home made ones.
    Keep up the good work! ;D

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  76. Looks real nice! I find naturals alot more pleasing!!

    Question for your sir:
    How do you polish the wood? Can you explain or do a video on how it's done?

    Thanks for your time!

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  77. hello!
    Two questions for you:
    What's the difference between shooting butterfly and shooting reguarly? and witch technique do you like most?
    PS. Nice slingshot!

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  78. Its awesome how much power some of your slingshots have! Hope this one works as well as the others!

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  79. really nice piece of job
    you are my inspiration cecause im making my own slingshot and ill be happy if it will shoot at least half as good as yours

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  80. "When the student is ready, the master shall appear." You have lit ablaze a new path in me. For now I will simply be content mining your video gifts and learning all that I can. When I have done all that I can there, I will seek what you seek. Thank you.

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  81. Slingshot No.???? in your collection??
    Have you ever counted them all?
    Greets
    Armin

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  82. Great work! The beauty of natural materials is really hard to match, isn't it. And it's wonderful to see how it takes shape from the raw material. Keep making those slingshots!

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  83. Good job Joerg, keep it up!

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  84. Very nice!

    Can you explain the steps between the third and fourth picture, where you go from the rough cut to the not-yet-sanded version? I've made a few wood carvings, but always with a sharp knife...and a few cuts. What tools do you use?

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  85. That is a beautiful slingshot. I am going to go dig through my scrap wood now and try to find a good piece to use for this.

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  86. Cool slingshot
    ALso, you are jacked, what is your workout routine?

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  87. I am amazed at how nice and smooth the dogwood finish ends up as. I used an apple branch once, but I didn't carve it as good as yours looks. The wood looked good though and there were some small cracks that I filled in with lacquer. The epoxy was what I should have used.

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  88. All of my failures come to mind :(

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  89. very well done Mr Sprave!your work is beautiful as always.

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  90. looks great, is there going to be a video to show how it shoots?

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  91. another nice slingshot :) good polish

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  92. when i made my first slingshot, i got a piece of natural Y wood made notches for the extremely weak thin rubber i had, the took a plastic wrapper for the pouch.i was probably 9. looking at you turning a piece of wood you probably cut off, and turning it into something someone wood buy makes me jealous!

    Good work

    you will continue to be my role model.

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  93. The finish is beautiful, well done sir.

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  94. Very nice. How much of that dogwood do you have left?

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  95. Hello from India. Firstly, let met state that I really appreciate your passion for slingshots. Here in India, we use the word 'catty' for slingshots. As kids we used to spend endless hours playing with them. But you have taken a child's toy and elevated it to another level. I am really sad that you have decided to leave the YouTube channel. Please do not let the nagativity get to you. I just love your creations and your creativity.

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  96. nice 1 ,
    now you have to make a slingshot that shots slingosts :D

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  97. My dad made me slingshot 2 years ago out of thin wood we found in forest and rubber from the bicycle wheels.
    I am amazed how wood about 2 cm thin can hold that much.
    MY brother who trains alot manage to break the rubber but not the wood.

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  98. That slingsgot's the dog's bollocks!

    That's a compliment btw :D

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  99. This thing is just beautiful!!! Looks a lot like ivory. This Dogwood must be a real hard wood, that it can withstand the force of this many bands, with, i think, such a small thumbrest beneath the fork.

    Whats the german name for this tree or bush?

    This slingshot is such a nice project to get back down to earth after the "CANNON" *You have to shout this part* ;)!!

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  100. The finished product looks great! It seems a little hard for me to see how the bands are securely attached. Do they ever slip off?

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  101. from the V back to naturals, kept us amazed every step of the way

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  102. This one looks elegant .Nice work again.

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  103. Wow this has an amazing finish to the wood, it looks very smooth, i am amazed how you transform this branch into a smooth rounded slingshot. Great Work :)

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  104. Amazing how you make the wood. It actually looks like manufactered expensive wood. You need many skills to make it like that. Impressive! Amazing that I live in the same town where you live :-)

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  105. joerg, how is the new forum proceeding? i personally cant wait!

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  106. Great stuff! Just read the article in Wired. Rock on buddy!

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  107. I will have to keep an eye out for some natural Y woods I greatly miss having a slingshot, and would love to have some I can say I made this :)

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  108. Hello Jorg!

    I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all of your slingshot video's. Your channel is one of the best on YouTube. Creative and absolutely a pleasure to watch. I have just ordered a Cougar and can't wait to receive it! I will also soon try to make one of your slingbow designs.

    Thanks again!
    Rob

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  109. How do you get the wood so smooth in the end? Looks almost like as if you buffed it with a buffer or something!

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  110. nice and smooth i bet it has a good feel to it i wish i could do that.

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  111. @ Travis Ng
    I have done this on a pellet gun stock for my cousin, I used a very very fine grit sandpaper. The best way I have done it was you start a rough low grit to get the curves and any scratches smoother and then go to a slightly higher grit and just keep doing this I think I used a 2000 or a 3000 grit sandpaper as the final touch then I stained it.

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  112. Jorg, I recently found your youtube videos and blog spot. I think that it is awesome that some has taken this idea of the sling shot to the next level. I hope that you are working on starting your own company that makes and sells sling shots. I really like the V, but don't have the means to construct one at this point.
    Your hard work and passion is appreciated.
    Thanks,
    George

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  113. Jorg,
    I am from Canada, I have no idea how I stumbled upon your site, but I am very impressed with the craftmanship you use to create your slingshots. I always thought of a slingshot as something of a toy, now I see that it can be art, as well. Thank you for following your heart, and blogging about it.

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  114. Its very nice and tiny :) Gefällt mir sehr. Man beachte, dass man sie aber lupfen muss...und jah nicht die Hand treffen^^ Netter Glanz!

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  115. good stuff. I like them all but really liked the sling shot artillery.

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  116. I have the same Glasses :) thx amazon

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  117. I would never thought that this slingshot was made by a normal piece of wood^^
    Looks really good!

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  118. Impressive craftsmanship! You have inspired me to seek out natural hardwood forks here in New Hampshire.
    Thank you

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  119. Wurde die noch lackiert weil die so schön glänzt?

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  120. And the winner is ....... ???????
    Hab ich was verpaßt?
    Sind die Schleudern schon alle weg?
    Schöne Schleuder. Sieht smooth aus.
    Viele Grüße aus dem Hunsrück

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  121. are you ok ?? you did not do the draw this week. I am a bit worried for you. I wish you well, and hope everything is ok and that i am just paranoid.

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  122. Die sieht wirklich klasse aus. Mit was und wie hast du die behandelt das die so schön aussieht. Die sieht fast schon aus wie Elfenbein (Mammut) oder ein ähnliches Material.
    Mit freundlichen Grüßen
    raging.bull

    The looks really great. With what and how you treated the the looks so beautiful. The almost looks already like ivory (mammoth) or any other material.

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  123. i noticed the top banner was changed to something cool, but now it is back to just block letters? is this a problem of display on my end?

    and i second what bj said, hope everythings all good on the home front.

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  124. I aspire to make my own slingshot. Mine will probably be very similar to your phoenix design for my first. This is pretty much a natural phoenix. Will any hardwood work for these style slingshots?

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  125. Does anyone have a link to the pdf Joerg put out just weeks ago? I've looked for it and am unable to find it as I have recommended it as a guide to a buddy to build his own slingshot. I would appriciate it. Thanks!

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  126. Feeling snarky today--insert obligatory comment here.

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  127. Yellow :)
    I love the your slideshows from "the making." Very inspiring :)
    Do you use pure epoxy to fill the cracks ore you mix it with wood chips/powder ore something like that?
    Cheers
    Rafal

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  128. Tosh Togo said...

    Does anyone have a link to the pdf Joerg put out just weeks ago? I've looked for it and am unable to find it as I have recommended it as a guide to a buddy to build his own slingshot. I would appriciate it. Thanks!


    https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B2lOiwtIPanYMTE5NDRiZDItZjVmOS00NDZjLWI0OGYtOTA5OWMxMmMyY2Iw&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

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  129. Wonderful! Thank you ryansluman! It is very much appreciated. Now my buddy can have the best guide on the internet for building his own sling-shot.

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  130. Love it!
    The simplicity of the design really speaks to me.

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  131. tosh, i dont advise using double bands or triple bands if you have smaller ammo like 1/4 or less... single bands will do you better unless you are using giant balls like joerg lol

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  132. Fully agree as neither my buddy nor myself are as strong as Joerg and I use mine for small stuff less than 25 yds. range. But I have used double bands before and my accuracy suffered.

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  133. i have been doing some testing with 3/8 and 1/4 steel , and marbles. i have found that single band actually works better, ie : puts the shot through my pad sometimes, whereas if i use it doubled or trippled up it just goes in a little, or bounces right off! tripped me right out as i thought that more would be more powerfull, but it has to do with the weight of the projectile moreso i guess.

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  134. i think your slingshots are awesome and you should keep making them.

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  135. Sehr schön geworden.
    dogwood lese ich immer in amerika...bei uns würde das hartriegel heissen...gibt es hier im ruhrpott kaum...ist das mit Schwarzdorn vergleichbar?

    viele grüße

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  136. I need to start testing with larger steel balls as they can be easily handled with wider singles or double or triple bands. Just looked at ebay and it seems they have some bargains. Gonna have to look into it for the fun of it.

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  137. The fork of this post is so nice! Is a pity the dogwood isn't found in Brasil (well, I think!). To me, this model of fork are infinitely more beautifull that the Panther or Cougar.
    I learned to use slingshot when I was a little boy, and I keep this passion until now! Here in Brasil the costume is use the rubber tube (originally used to medical purpouses), "sorinho" is the common name here, and the desing of the fork is different. I found Thera Band recently, and I'll buy to test! Your channel in Youtube and the blog are very usefull,I hope you continue showing us your "toys"!

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  138. Nice opinion.Thanks for sharing.pheonix property management

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