Friday, August 5, 2011

Full ergo "Panther" handle made in five minutes!






Fimo is a soft modelling clay that hardens in the oven. I have used it before but somehow, for no apparent reason, stopped using it.

It is ideal for modelling a Panther handle, any shape you like. The advantage over epoxy putty is quite obvious: You have all the time in the world to form it. You can even completely remove it and start anew. Only when you are completely happy with the result, you carry it in the kitchen and bake it much like a frozen pizza.

Fimo is available in many stores, but I buy it online. You need four or five 56 g blocks for a Panther. It ain't expensive, about two dollars for one handle.

Here is a sample auction on ebay.com


After hardening, you can sand it, polish it, spraypaint it - anything. I sanded it to remove the fingerprints and soften the shape a bit. But you can leave it raw, every crease and line of your hand will be there.

It takes only a few minutes to make YOUR handle, full blown ergo, and it will last. This is just about the perfect solution for those who are not experienced in woodworking, or simply have no time for that.

It is also possible to use different colors and knead them in a way that you get a "marbled" finish - quite appealing.
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63 comments:

  1. bittuAugust 5, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    this is very nice.i have no words to express myslf

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  2. bj666August 5, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    awesome. Looks really good. I will probably end up doing that to a metal frame one day

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  3. TheChircAugust 5, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    nice!
    I like your slingshots verry much!
    And now you can make them in 5 minutes!!!

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  4. Slingshot WraithAugust 5, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    hhmmm, that gives me some ideas of how to modify a sling, sort of a concealable staff sling concept...

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  5. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Yellow
    I have a question about this fork: how wide flat band (I use gold theraband) can you mount on this, and does it tend to break when its stretched over this little “horns”? :)
    As for the fimo: isn’t it brittle? Can it chip off when dropped on the ground?
    Damn, it look very good on this polished fork :) I have been using similar clay when I was in the kindergarten. Great stuff :)
    Cheers
    Rafal

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  6. As8MaNAugust 5, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Never tried Fimo before,, but i might be trying sooner or later, by the way, awesome slingshot :).

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  7. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Nice idea to make easy to produce but perfect fitting handles. My only concern is will fimo last a long time or can it break?

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  8. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 5, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Fimo isn't brittle at all. It may chip or break when abused, but not more than a piece of wood.

    I have Fimo slingshots that lay on the shelf for three or four years, they are as good as new.

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  9. TimAugust 5, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Nice, gotta try that. btw nice new channel background

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  10. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 5, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Yes, Thomas Kole did a great job once again, did he not? :))))

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  11. EndAugust 5, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Beautiful mod :)

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  12. PeterVAugust 5, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    I remember Fimo also and had forgotten about it until now. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, so a handle could be very interesting.

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  13. Tosh TogoAugust 5, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Good to see this again. You have made some very interesting looking sling-shots using this before. The several colors used before really gave an unusual appearance when they were kneaded together. There is a lot of room for experimentation there such as embedding solder, glitter, jewels, acorns, whatever. Using a razor to cut into layers of different clays can also expose the different underlying layers of clay and produce unique appearances. Good to see it being used again. (and thanks for the English buttons.)

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  14. Hired-GunAugust 5, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    I´ll tried the "Fimo"-Grip, but got one little Problem. The Material seems to "Shrink" somehow in the coolingphase so it gets loose on the metal centerbar of my slingshot. Any tips for that kind of problem?

    For German Users:

    Ich hab die Fimo-Griffvariante probiert, aber ein kleines Problem fest gestellt. Scheinbar schrumpft das Fimo etwas beim Abkühlen,wobei es sich etwas vom Metallkern der Schleuder lockert. Gibt es tipps um dieses Problem zu lösen?

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  15. TiminAugust 5, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I'm always nervous about putting non-food stuff in my oven, but FIMO seems to be pretty safe from what I've read. Just to be safe I think I'll use an old toaster oven, instead of the one I use for cooking.

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  16. RileyAugust 5, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Very nice slingshot.
    With Fimo you can do a lot of things. I've tinkered so much sooner with it

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  17. jcshooterAugust 5, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    The slingshot is so flush and it's a really good design. It would be a really good hunting slingshot and a joy to shoot with. From your number1 fan Julian casallas.

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  18. TobseAugust 5, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Very nice! good idea! your Phanter manual is also a very good thing!!

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  19. Fabrício N.R. WittAugust 5, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Humm, I never heard of Fimo, but seems a nice material to make model! Your work is great, guy, keep it up!

    Greetings from Brazil, we love slingshots here too!

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  20. szymonidesAugust 5, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    I know you make it!

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  21. MoluskAugust 5, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    This is very impressive. Keep up the good work!

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  22. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I just found your blog from your Youtube videos, which I really enjoy. I love slingshots and have plenty of dogwood trees on my property which may turn into some. But I hope I win one of the ones you are giving away. :-)

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  23. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 5, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    @Hired-Gun: I use original Fimo and never saw this effect. The "Panther" has these slots in the handle that go all the way through, so if the material shrinks, it would stick even more to the frame.

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  24. WmpyrAugust 5, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    I've used Sculpey, a modeling compound, polyform oven bake clay, to custom make some figures but it turned out really badly. Yours looks professional! Thank you for the free Panther Manual!

    -Wmpyr

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  25. Hired-GunAugust 5, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Hmm... Maybe i made an error in the process. Or the shaft was to smooth. I´ll give it maybe another try later on.

    PS: Did you ever tryed to use a pipe bracket for a cheap DIY-Slingshot? Those parts are Cheap and you can get them everywere ;)

    For all the Germans:

    Hmm....Vielleicht hab ich irgendwo einen Fehler bei der Verarbeitung gemacht, oder die Oberfläche der Metallstange war zu glatt. Vielleicht versuche ich es später noch einmal.

    PS: Hast du schon mal versucht, aus einer Rohrschelle eine Eigenbau-Schleuder zu bauen? Die Dinger sind billig und fast überall bekommen ;)

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  26. RafaDibujanteAugust 5, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    I like the new website look!

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  27. RyanAugust 5, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Nice job i miss the old welded monster frames but slingshot cannons will do. Nice Background!!

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  28. stinkeyeAugust 6, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    That is such an awesome slingshot! I love the blue color. Its amazing how that only took you five minutes! By the way, I really like your new blog back round. Nice work.

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  29. PikemanAugust 6, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Never heard of this stuff before but it looks really handy so I just hopped over to ebay and ordered some. You're an endless source of cool ideas and inspiration.

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  30. slingshotmaniacAugust 6, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    I'd like to try fimo too,if i win a Panther!!
    ;-)

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  31. UnknownAugust 6, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    Very nice look you got with this, what is the "bake time" you recommend for the clay to harden properly?

    BTW, nice web page design update!

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  32. BeanflipAugust 6, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Nice,thanks for the reminder. I may have to try that.

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  33. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 6, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Bake time is 30 minutes at 130 degrees centigrade. Bake it longer or hotter, it will turn brittle. Bake it shorter and less hot, it will stay a bit spongy, which sometimes may be desirable.

    @porcelanowy: I always cut my Thera Gold 2,8cm at the fork side and 1,8 cm at the pouch. I use several layers for heavy ammo. At the slingshot party last week, we shot a Panther with four layers per side, 29 cm active band length. None of us could draw this out beyond half butterfly, but it is really powerful and lasts a long time. It was as good as new at the end of the evening.

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  34. ToyfarerAugust 6, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    I have no woodworking skill at all... but I could probably do this. Thanks for the GREAT Tip.

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  35. GreedyRogueAugust 6, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Love the handle idea. Never thought to modify a slingshot with a custom grip. Hope I get a chance to fire one of yours someday.

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  36. slingshootAugust 6, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  37. slingshootAugust 6, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  38. billybones44August 6, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    sir your slingshot's are great! you are very skilled at what you do

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  39. mckeeeAugust 6, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    looks fantastic jeorg!

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  40. Celtic SlingshotsAugust 6, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Awesome stuff Joerg.Sad to see you leave the forums but onwards and upwards,we need more guys like you to break from the norm and show more innovation,that's how things improve and evolve.Always a fan,keep up the good work.

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  41. ryanslumanAugust 6, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    no more slingshotforum?

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  42. Barry4125August 6, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    i have used fimo before it is amazing i recomend it

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  43. The Slingshot ChannelAugust 6, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    No, I left the slingshotforum after people insulted me there. Life is too short for that stuff.

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  44. Opticus SpicusAugust 6, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Hallo Jörg,
    sieht klasse aus. Du hast bei allen deinen Schleudern ein gutes Händchen fürs Design. Ich mache nächste Woche mit ein paar Kumpels auch eine Slingshot Party. Die Frauen machen Tupper, wir großen Jungs Slingshot Party. Einwandfrei und gute Idee.
    Viele Grüße aus dem Hunsrück

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  45. Skip SafireAugust 7, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    Nice solution to make ergo handles! That way, everyobody can do something reasonable and pimp their slingshot..

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  46. MuizertAugust 7, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    Looks great, sure i,m gonna give that a try on one of mine :) question: do you use a cutting torch for making the frames ?? I,m making a metal frame , but i have the feeling that i,m very slow :)

    All the best.

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  47. DukaTheAugust 7, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Realy nice slingshot Joerg. Again :) Btw. I like new blog design :)

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  48. ChristianAugust 7, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Nice stuff...you could alsso use it as an positive, if you want to do a grip out of latex(dunno if i mean the right stuff at the moment)or something like that

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  49. UnknownAugust 7, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    nice slingshot there

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  50. UnknownAugust 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Awesome! Ever thought about a "tactical" sling shot? lights, laser site, ergo grips, black plastic, etc. Ridiculous, I know. :)

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  51. AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    fimo is a good cheap way of making handles, ive used it for replacing knife handles and fixing my fishing reel handle three years later and its still as good as new

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  52. Tyler HarmsAugust 8, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    5 minutes wow thats a really fast mod!

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  53. elidoesductAugust 8, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    That slingshot looks really amazing, very elegant.

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  54. BubbiebrewsterAugust 8, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    I've seen you use this modeling clay a lot i seriously need to get some and try it, it just looks so comfortable.

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  55. AthensUGAAugust 8, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    After seeing you use fimo for your slingshot, I have thought about all of the other possible ways to use it. It seems like some neat stuff.

    Take care

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  56. DenAugust 8, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    very convenient apparently, nice work!

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  57. AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Yellow
    Thanks for the explanation’s about the fimo and the toughness of TBG.
    I have never thought bout that stuff until a sh…tty rubber tube broke at the fork and poked me in the chick real hard :) Probably have to buy some safety glasses anyhow.
    Cheers
    Rafal

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  58. Kris137123340August 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Looks awesome, but can the winner chose the handle style?

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  59. MincedFeetAugust 8, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Wow this looks so sexy! I'm always watching your channel now

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  60. * *August 8, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Looks awesome. Thanks for the tip on the clay!

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  61. B.M.BostickAugust 10, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    Dude, you are so beast. Not to brown nose, but I don't think I've ever known or heard of anyone that 'specializes' in slingshots. Good work!

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  62. stinkeyeAugust 21, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    I cant wait

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  63. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    cant wait to see yuur cannon iam new to making slingshots due to seeing your youtube site can you make one from a horse shoe i tried but was no good as i am crap at the moment.

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