Steel Flechettes - Pure Badass!

OK, started to test the flechettes (short bolts from massive steel). The design is not mine, a fellow slingshooter from Italy (Sabaca) invented them, quite simple to make with a few hardware store pieces.

I needed a slingshot with a bit higher fork, and goind through my collection, I found the Bunnybuster Tom sent me a few months ago. Perfect for the job!

I attached rubber with a paracord loop on each end (so there is no danger of entanglement, active band length 20cm x 7cm x 4cm Thera Gold. The loops are hooked into the wing nut wings, you grab the rounded hex nut at the end and draw out.

I had to get used to the flechettes but got the hang of it soon. No danger for the hands. The loops work very good.

It is amazing to hear the hissing of the arrows in flight. They need a few meters to straighten out, then they fly really straight.

I have shot them against a wooden board, 22mm thick. The flechettes hit the board very hard, from about 10 meters. It takes force to pull them out. They do not go through the board all the way, but you can see the cracks in the plastic coating (backside) already.

The M8 version has the same impact depth as the M6 version, surprisingly.

But then I took the Monster and butterflied 16mm lead balls into the same board, from the same distance... go figure.

All in all, a lot of fun, but I am not certain if the flechettes can really bring down larger game than lead balls can.

Will continue to test, and make a crossbow that really has some force!

Jörg

The "Slim U"

Had to test my new saw.

So I made this new design from 18 mm multiplex... a very simple, yet daring frame.

The fork is really slim, which makes the slingshot look elegant, I think. The stability is there, it comes from the depth of the fork arms. This easily survived my vise test for the strongest bands.

It really shoots great - and no handslaps, the fork protects my hand pretty good!

Sling-X-Pistol: The Video

I have painted it black, attached rubber scales, even glued washers on in order to make them look the Ruger logos.

Optimized the fork as well, it is now a bit higher, for low powered shots (below 30% draw).

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_jeU3PJBAo

X-Pistol!

After several clumsy Sling-X-Bows, I wanted a compact plinking toy. A pistol!

Regarding the design, I always liked the Ruger MK2 .22 pistol. So I borrowed the grip/trigger look for my rubber based "competitor".

In order to have some amount of power, I turned the lock around (Stu's idea, in fact) and set for 45 cm (18") draw length (= total length of the weapon).

The trigger is really easy, just a lever that keeps the locks in place and releases them once the trigger is pulled. It is held back with a rubber band, this time it is not visible (under the lock plate).

The lock dowels are drilled off center, so that they are adjustable for different ammo size. Especially the small 8mm balls need very tight settings.

The three TB gold bands (2cm x 1,5cm x 11cm, effective length 8cm) are mighty hard to draw, about 12 kg draw weight.

The weapon shoots the 8mm steel ball with about 70 m/s, 230 fps. Not bad for the cold temperatures (freezing).

It is however more accurate with larger caliber ammo, maybe because the larger balls open the locks more evenly.

No video, it is already dark outside... maybe next week. This will give me time to make it nicer.

Review: Great frames made by Bill Hays

Bill Hays is exciting the slingshot community with his totally new designs. He makes frames that look like nothing else, but work just perfect and are amongst the most comfortable slingshots tested in The Slingshot Channel so far.

Three different frames are shown, one even has a 16 round steel ball magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v52M0b32ei8

Enjoy!

Jörg

Review: "Liberty I" ultra compact bow vs. Slingbow

The slingbow is a very popular weapon as it is compact, lightweight, easy to make and can shoot hunting arrows. But it competes with small bows, such as the "Liberty I" by Howard Winthers from www.libertyarchery.com.

This video presents the "Liberty I" bow and compares it to the "Diamond Razor Edge" compound bow and the homemade slingbow (see the How-To on The Slingshot Channel).

The results are quite impressive, the small Liberty I shoots a 400 gr arrow at more than 310 km/h. It outperforms the larger Razor Edge and of course also the slingbow (made with materials for under 10 dollars).

Slow Motion scenes recorded at 1200 frames per second show the behaviour of the bow when shot, it stays amazingly calm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aP_gKlQd-s

Jörg

"Pygmalion" - the taming of a natural fork

OK, I have never presented a natural fork so far. The reason is that it is hard to find a natural that has a low and wide enough fork, which is what I prefer.

A friend of mine challenged me to make a "Phoenix" design from a natural, and I accepted.

This is the outcome!

Yes, it is a natural fork. It doesn't look like a natural at all, right?

If you want to see how this was achieved, check out the thread on the forum (too many pics for the blogger).

http://slingshotforum.com/topic/3629-pygmalion-the-taming-of-a-natural-fork/

A very strong slingshot, perfect weight and fork dimensions.

Jörg

"The Sling Room"

It was raining cats and dogs today, so no outside video. But since many people asked me how many slingshots I own and which one is my favourite, I made a video showing my slingshot room.

57 of my best slingshots (I have hundreds) are kept on permanent display, most of them made by myself, but also a good dozen of the best types given to me by fellow slingshot makers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6c0XeOCZQg

Enjoy!

Phoenix Variations

Have made two entirely different "Phoenix" models today. Phew! That was a lot of dirty work.

First one is a laminate of four 3mm Cocobolo veneer and three 3mm copper plates. A heavy, nice shooter that needs some more finishing - but for today it is enough.

The second one is probably the most beautiful Phoenix I ever made. 9mm birch multiplex core, then Thuja scales. The Thuja is too brittle for a sleek slingshot, but laminated to the multiplex it is rock solid. I just love this slingshot am I am totally proud.

Can't wait for the rain to stop so I can shoot the new babies!

Jörg

Zombie Slaying Slingbow: How to make it at home

Have made another version of my slingbow. This time, upon many requests, I did a tutorial video as well.

I have devised a home made arrow rest, using rubber (what else). Also, I set the rest far back to gain draw length. Then, I designed the "frame" in a way that armslaps can never happen.

The bow is entirely made from 12 mm and 19 mm plywood, with three screws to stabilize the weapon.

It is more bulky, but also a lot more powerful than its predecessor.

Made this on Halloween, so I just had to shoot at a coconut... penetrated both sides. With a field tip.

The slingbow weighs 550 gramms (1,2 lbs), ready for shooting.

Here are the blueprints:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2lOiwtIPanYMDk3YjllMDgtNGViNC00NmMxLWFkNzAtN2YxNTc4ZmEyYWIw&hl=en

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3ruRsh-HY

Arrow launching Sling-X-Bow, plus WIN A COUGAR!

After the great response to the slingshot crossbows presented here, many have asked if it can be converted for shooting arrows. Of course it can! This video presents a homemade, Thera Band powered crossbow that fires full size arrows (not the short crossbow bolts") at 213 fps (65m/s).

The mechanism is very simple, yet effective. The weapon has a built in arrow rest that fixes the arrow in loaded condition.

The result is a long, but very narrow crossbow. It is accurate and powerful.

Also, at the end of the video you can learn how to participate in a drawing. The price: A customized "Cougar Limited Edition" slingshot, with hand crafted Thuja wood scales. If you want to participate, you have to be a member of http://www.slingshotforum.com, and introduce yourself in the "Welcome Forum". The membership is free.

Deadline is November 15, 2010.

There is a 2D version and a 3D version of the video, as the production is shot with the new Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camera. The 3D version is viewable as well, the link will be published at a later time.

Here is the 2D video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9t6Xg2XRic

Review: "Scallops", in massive cast bronze

I reviewed the fantastic "Scallops" slingshot, designed in Hong Kong and made in England.

This model is very special for the slingshot community, as Dan developed it in a live thread. We saw the Photoshop drawings, we saw the first moulds, we saw the first metal castings. So it was rather special to get my hands on the product!

After both Dan (the designer) and Pete (the manufacturer) have OKed the video, it is my pleasure to release it to the public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0KvgcXpw4o

A great slingshot, a highlight of my collection! Well done, Dan and Pete.

Jörg

Video: The Goddess

Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFTpIlAh6iM

The African Godess of Slingbows

I revisited the sling bow today, inspired by Fish (he made a sling bow a while ago, but posted the video again here in a different thread).

I had a few tasks.

First, I wanted to eliminate all the dead play.

Second, no handslaps.

Third, a conventional bow release had to work.

Fourth, I wanted a quality arrow guide for accuracy.


So I made the "bow" 40 cm long, and the bands are a bit pretensed in unloaded mode. This way, no dead play at all!

Then, I put a Hover arrow rest (kind of a whisker buiscuit) INSIDE of the bow, right in the middle.

The bands can never touch the arrow rest (a big problem with sling bows usually).

Next, I designed the bow arms in a way that the bands are effectively stopped and can not slap on my hand.

I formed the "cable" from some paracord, with a loop for the release (otherwise the angle is so steep that the arrow falls out in full cocked position).

This shoots great! It is the best sling bow I have made so far.

Weight is 550 gramms (1,2 lbs), complete with bands. It looks a bit like an African sculpture, that is the reason for the name.

Too bad is rains so hard that I can't do a video today, hopefully tomorrow will be better. But I have to finish the Scallops video first.

Three unique slingshots: Beauty, Powerhouse, Micro

I wanted to further enhance my "Cutlass" design, with a solid plate against hand slaps. I also looked at the way Bill Hays stabilized the grip with a backwards directed "hook", and liked that idea a lot.

The result is a slingshot that is basically a "Phoenix", but with a front and back part laminated to it. The front part holds the shield, the back part the hook. Both parts thicken the handle and give it the "Cutlass" palm swell.

I also added a "Baumstamm" style lanyard.

This is a great shooter.

Here is the video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46RAL9iazdw

Jörg

Band heater

As announced, I have made a slingshot that heats its bands. I want to be able to break records even when it is NOT humid and hot outside! So there was no alternative.

I used water filled copper tubes, as water and copper have the highest available heat capacity.

The bands are put over the copper pipes that are filled with hot water, then the insulation is closed over the bands. They heat up in no time, about ten seconds from room temp to over 50 centigrade. I filled the tubes with hot, but not boiling water as I am not sure how much heat they tolerate.

The slingshot is ugly as heck, but not a bad shooter, it is a "W" after all. And the copper pipes work like a stabilizer.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7ZO2-Rc_Hk

New Multiplex Phoenix Design

I wanted to combine the efficiency of my wooden Phoenix model with the ergonomical grip of The Cutlass.

So I changed the grip of the original Phoenix and laminated more multiplex to my 19 mm board. Then rounding and sanding.

I am really pleased with the outcome, one of my smallest, most simple slingshots - but also one of my best models so far.

Hammergrip style of course.

Two shots at last: Over/Under Slingshot Crossbow

I have invested about 8 hours of work to make my first two-shot slingshot crossbow.

I still don't have access to my welding gear, lathe and mill, so I had to do it in wood.

I wanted it to be as strong as my most powerful onces - but per "barrel". So it had to be really sturdy, bulky and a bit bizarre. But it works like a charm.

The trigger mechanism allows me to shoot one barrel after the other or two at the same time. A really, really simple lever serves as thr trigger.

Due to the necessary thickness of the rubber involved, I had to make the fork really high. But that is not so bad as this weapon has to be cocked like a crossbow, with your foot stomping down on the rear stock and both hands pulling up the fork. Also the "barrel" had to be aluminum, thin wood is not strong enough for this DOUBLE HUNTER BAND shooting device.

The concept works, and once done in steel, it won't be bulky at all.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHj3iicXcQs

Review: Blade Systems "SYRVIVAL"

The Slingshot Channel reviews the only knife that is also a slingshot: The "SYRVIVAL" by the German knife maker company "Blade Systems".

The knife is a tactical beauty in itself, made from high tech "Chipper Steel" and with an splash etched finish. It is super sharp and the canvas micarta handle is really perfect for a strong grip.

The sheath and belt system is up to top military standards with the Tek Lok belt clip and the Blackhawk Serpa QDS adaptor.

The Kydex sheath contains a whetstone to sharpen the edge should it ever become dull.

A fire starter kit can create enough sparks to start a fire at any time. (People pointed out to me that I am using the starter kit wrong in the video, have to slide the steel along the rod.)

The highlight and specialty of the "SYRVIVAL" is the slingshot attachment. It can be mounted to the grip of the knife in a few seconds, and then it turns the knife into a very effective hunting cattie. The original "Fish Hunter" bands that come with the product are amongst the most praised bands available today. They can deliver 27 Joules of energy, more than most air guns and in the same league as hunting bows.

The starting price for the knife is 305 Euros, the complete package with all the bells and whistles cost 508 Euros. Not cheap, but well worth it - a handmade beauty that is as efficient as it looks.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8m2G_AcZwc

The (German) website of Blade Systems can be found at:

http://www.blade-systems.de/index.html

The direct product link for the SYRVIVAL:

http://www.blade-systems.de/html/syrvival.html

Jörg

"The Cutlass" - new design with handslap protection

Hello,

I wanted to do design a frame that works well for the butterfly style.

Goals:

- Low, wide fork for little wrist strain and fork hit prevention
- Mid-size (not as huge as the Monster)
- A big palm swell (found out I like palm swells)
- Protection against hand slaps (seems those always happen on OTP butterfly shooters).

I figured that the "W" would make the frame too big. So I used a length of flat steel I salvaged from the scrap heap and attached a wooden grip and wooden fork arms, all with solid metal screws. I hammered nuts into the fork arms, and sealed the holes with epoxy putty later.

Then I cut a piece of leather and clamped it between the handle and the screw.

It looks like a cutlass handle now - so I had a name for the design.

This is as basic as it gets, a full blown hammergrip style frame. The last picture shows it rigged up with really thin butterfly bands, superfast for lighter ammo. Without the leather protection, handslaps gallore.

It is a superb shooter, probably no beauty queen but the king of functionality.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TdO3-Y-eM


Jörg