The Hammer Grip "PFS"

A gent with the nickname "dgui" designed a so-called "pickle fork shooter", essentially a simple board cut frame with really low and narrow forks, OTP attachment.  It shoots because of the flipstyle effect. Much like a stickshot, but without the need for a paracord loop.

I always liked the simplicity of the design, plus the effectiveness. However, I am a firm believer in the superior power of the hammer grip shooting style, simply because it allows you to draw out stronger bands.

So I combined the low, narrow fork with my favorite hammerhead handle. Carved it out of a single piece of European Dogwood (cornus sanguinea).

It shoots fantastic, of course you have to flip it (automatically happens with strong bands). 

I must say that some day, I will have to make myself a knife with that handle. It is simply the most comfortable design I came up with (so far).

The "Zombie Hammer" Slingshot

I watched the first seven episodes of AMC's "The Walking Dead", season 2.

Fantastic!

I really like Zombie flics, and this stuff is as good as they come. But one thing was getting more and more clear: Firearms are weapons of last resort in a Zombie apocalypse. They are simply too loud. You need silent weapons to make dead things deader (cudos to ZS for the cool motto).

Most Zombies in the show are disposed off with machetes, crossbows, rocks, even a screwdriver. Not very efficient, if you ask me. So I thought about how to make a more capable Zombie skull cracker. The solution: A hammer with a spike! But then again, what if you can't get the spike out of the skull fast enough to deal with the next undead attacker?

I devised a Zombie skull retraction lever. You can simply pull and the spike comes free. Works really great.

Also, I added a boule ball (what else) as a weight, but also as means to finish off the spiked Zombie. The force of the steel ball is unbelievable. And it is a great stabilizer for the slingshot!

It's Christmas time...

...at The Slingshot Channel too!

Have a great one.

Guess and win!

One Panther slingshot will go to the first commenter who guesses what my next big project will be.

I will wait until the video is finished and uploaded. Then I will decide who came close enough first.

Here you see a photo of some of the parts that I plan to use.

Hint: The RC car will only used in parts, some of it will go straight into the trash.

Hint 2: One part that is still missing is a car door window lifter complete with the motor.

"The Olivehammer"

Did another variation of the Hammerhead design.

I used an aluminum core, and well matured olive wood. Then I added some dark walnut for the palm swell.

This came out great! So smooth in the hand. I like it a lot.

2011 Christmas Slingshot Giveaway!

OK, you can win a handmade "Jörg Sprave" slingshot! Even better, the winner can choose from three different models.

All you need to do is to go to my forum, register (if you haven't done that yet) and post which slingshot you would like (should you win), and why you like that one the most.

This brings you directly to the thread!

Drawing will be in the morning of December 25, 2011! Until then, the thread is open.

Good luck!

Double Ought Buckshot?

I am revisiting the multiple ammo issue.

Not so long ago, I designed the shotgun pouch made from Kydex. A good thing, really - but I have moved on to far heavier ammo in the meantime.

So now I will be shooting 8mm steelballs - 30 of them at a time. That is right, THIRTY. Makes a total of 60 gramms, just under the weight of a 25 mm steel ball.

I am testing Bill Herriman's report that you can use tissue as bags. He says the tissue opens and drops to the floor.

I think he is correct, but the trick is to find the right material for the bags. A single sheet of kitchen tissue works in general, but some of the balls come back and hit your shooting hand. Ouch!

I am using my octa-slingshot for the tests, as it protects my hand 100%. I even added a leather "skirt" to protect the back of my hand.

The wood already got a few hits... my hand is fine.

Will test paper, aluminum foil and maybe toilet paper later on. There must be one that opens, but late enough so no balls come back to the shooter.

Selected photos for 2012 calendar

I have selected 13 images for my photo calendar 2012 and thought I'd share them with you. I consider these slinghsots the nicest ones I made this year.

More work on the Lead Launcher Design

I did the Lead Launcher design a while ago for John the "Gamekeeper" Webb. I had to work under constraints.

- Hammer Grip (my specialty, John prefers the finger support style)
- Multiplex in 18 mm (that is what John uses)
- Secure fork height (in other words, OK for beginners)
- Not too much filework required (John's products are very inexpensive)

It came out very very well. To this day, I believe this simple design is one of my best.

However, the better is the natural enemy of the good.

I added finger grooves to the slightly altered handle shape, and adjusted the fork accordingly.

Then I used car body epoxy putty to smoothen all edges and surfaces, then added a delibaretely coarse camo paint job. This looks like it has been carved from a single piece of wood, no seams. And it gives a lot of purchase due to the rough surface.

"Mashable" covers The Slingshot Channel

Here:


http://mashable.com/2011/12/14/youtube-slingshot-channel/

I think they did a great job! Very professional presentation.

Bihander Release

That is right, I made a slingshot release in the tradition of a medieval bihander sword.

This is a release that you can use to shoot cannon balls (max. caliber 80mm = 8cm = 2.15").

You simply need a length of Thera Band, and either two poles or two fearless assistants that hold the ends of the rubber bands. Then you clamp your ammo into the release and walk backwards as far as you can.

Then you press with both thumbs on the release and the shot falls.

This can be as powerful as the cannon I made a while ago. You have to use a lower draw weight, but you can compensate by using a longer draw length. Use bands that are three feet long, and you can stretch them to 15 feet easily.

A dangerous little thingy, in fact. Suppressive governments (and Zombies) beware. A new breed of slingshots is approaching.

(Slingshot has been included into the pic just to show the dimensions)

Will visit Hogancastings!

That is right, I have just booked the flights. Will arrive on Feb. 9th. I will bring my latest hammerhead frame with me and film Peter Hogan and his team casting it in bronze and aluminum. That will be truly interesting, for me anyway and hopefully for my audience as well.

Peter Hogan and his sons are in the business for longer than 35 years. They do fantastic work. I have reviewed some of their products in the past, top notch quality. Documenting the procedure is a honor and I am very much looking forwards to the trip.

I will give Peter full permission to produce more Hammerheads for customers if he so wishes.

Two new videos

Yes, I made two new vids this weekend!

First, I always wanted to know how deep various ammo types penetrate into ballistic gel.

Then, it was high time for a review about Flippinout's slingshots.

Enjoy!

38 mm steel balls - awesome!

Did some shooting today.

The 38 mm steel balls (224 gramms, a solid half pounder) are just amazing. I cut a pouch and a quadruple TB Gold band set, full butterfly,  for it. Shot from the Panther, I get 32 m/s - that is 114 Joules of energy, 84 ft-lbs.

7,2 N momentum, twice as much as a .45 ACP! Enough to topple over my steel catchbox.

It takes courage to shoot such a heavy monster from a handheld slingshot. But after a dozen shots, I found my confidence!

New ammo arrived

I want to make a huge block of ballistic gelatin tomorrow, for the next video.

In order to compare the penetration of various ammo, shot at the highest possible speed, I ordered some ammo types I either ran out of or never had. 10mm, 12mm, 20mm, 30mm!

Kugel-Winnie, my trusted supplier, surprised me by adding (at no charge) some 38mm and even some 60 mm steel balls.

I still have enough 8mm, 15mm and 25mm steel balls, plus some .54. .62 and .75" lead balls. So I should be rather complete.

I don't really know yet how to include the 38 and 60 mm ammo... but I will find a way!