On slingshot rubber

The number one question people ask me in the forums and on youtube is "What is the best rubber".

Well, of course I have my preferences, but I realize those are largely biased. My favourite slingshot band set won't work for most other shooters.

So I plan to do a scientific research. I have built a wooden construction that allows neutral tests with all kinds of rubber and three different draw lengthes.

My mechanical release is used, to make the results even more objective.

Problem is that my chrony needs overhauling, it took a hit and I think the cable broke. So the tests could not be completed this weekend, I guess we have to wait until next Sunday.

150 k youtube views!

I reached 100 k views on August 25.

One month later (September 28th), I cracked 150 k views! I hope that I will reach the 200 k mark before the year is over.

Brass handle!

I have made a ton of effective and innovative slingshots in the last months.

Now, I wanted to make a beautiful one as well.

So I ordered a rod of brass, 50 cm long and 25 mm diameter. Turned a handle out of it and polished it, came out very well.

I designed a slingshot with two stainless steel rods that I can attach to the brass handle, chinese method.

Some more polishing is needed, but I think this is a wonderful design, and effective as well.

Self defense slingshot finished

I have finished the work on the new slingshot and I am very pleased with the results.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqO1gRVNa7I

In the German trigger forum, three guys gave me the most negative rating possible for the thread that presents the new slingshot. I think I have once again pissed off the "I am afraid" slingshot fans. These guys believe that I am a walking provocation for our politicians, and they are convinced that the government will ban slingshots just because of my work.

Actually, they have a firm believe in my importance, much more firm than my own one. I disagree with them.

No politcian is interested in a few youtube videos. These guys will only react to scandals. Like the strict regulation (breeding bans etc.) of certain dog races after a few people got bitten to death 15 years ago.

I think smashing some coconuts won't cause the change of a federal law.

But anyway, this is what I do, and I won't stop because of a few cowards.

Plan for the weekend: Self defense slingshot

It is time for a true self defense slingshot.

I bought two automatic folders with aluminium grips, and also a small tear gas spray can.

The slingshot I want to make will use my new, superior "W" design for a very low profile, with the knifes attached (glued) to the fork tips. The attachment will be the chinese one, much like my "Mask" design.

The spray can will be attached to the tip of the grip. So you can shoot at an aggressor, if you miss you can spray the tear gas at him and if that does not work, you snap the blades out and go into close combat.

Of course I won't be able to publish that slingshot in some of the "slingshots are for target shooting only" forums... people will still find the video, I am sure.

Impact video of the 131 Joule slingshot

Most interesting. This IS stronger than a handheld, but not so very much. See for yourself:

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

World record achieved!

So, I made it! Broke the record. Shot a .91 lead ball (1312 grains, 82 gramms) at 185,5 fps (64 meters/sec). 131 Joules of energy!

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm5YOYrRejY

Can't wait to destroy things with it.

Jörg

Foot slinshot: Bands and pouch are done

This is an impressive set. Impossible in a normal slingshot. If these bands can not break the record, I don't see which one could.

Optimizing the "V" slingshot

It seems that it is high time to start another production run of the "V" slingshot. Many, many people want one and I told them that the 50 pieces I had made are long gone.

However, some enhancements are required. I need to attach a good grip, and also the rollers need to be enhanced. I want to use true roller bearings instead of the simple rollers I used so far.

Will try to make a prototype soon.

But first comes the foot operated one!

The mission: The strongest one-man-handled slingshot

In one of the forums, the question came up if 120 Joules is achievable with a slingshot.

I do not think a hand held slingshot can do that. Especially not in countries like my otherwise beloved Germany, where wrist braces are illegal. The maximum energy I ever achieved was 78 Joules, and that is only possible on a warm, humid day with some luck.

Reliably, 65 Joules are possible for me, but that is far away from 120 Joules.

So the idea is to build a foot operated slingshot. Me lying down with the feet against the "fork", and pulling the pouch with my trusted self made release, held in both hands.

I plan to use two stretches of Thera Band Gold per side, tapering from 14 cm to 7 cm. That will average one full Thera Band gold. At 550%, this would be 80 pounds per side, 160 lbs total draw force.

I got these values from extrapolation of this table:

http://www.thera-band.com/faqs_healthcare.php#faq_22

I know I can do that from the gym rowing machine, where I pull 135 kg (that is all they have).

We will see!

Got my first real 8-string...

...in the summer 0f 09!

I have tried to maximize the "Chinese" concept of looped, thin tubular rubber. It works great!

I can still pull this, but only because the "Mask" slingshot is so effective. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with this design, I think it is my best slingshot ever.

Will try to chrony the results tomorrow, Thursday I will go to Berlin for a trade show.