Slingshot Pistol

Made this a while ago, a simple slingshot pistol. It has ball bearings in the release part, though.

Threw it into some corner after I hit my thumb loading it, but now that it has healed I dug it up again. You just have to use weak bands, otherwise loading is dangerous.

Because of the very short draw length, it is weak anyway. But precise, and fun to shoot!

Huge Golf Ball Shooter "Poseidon"

Now that the outdoors swimming season has started, I made a "maritim" inspired slingshot.

I laminated aluminum plates (stepping board) onto the Multiplex (birch plywood) frame! This reminds me on a pool ladder. It also makes the frame pretty much unbreakable, I guess.

Oh, and Poseidon loves golfing... that is why I made the frame real big, I designed it to chuck golf balls from it. Which I do in the video, at 160 km/h (over 100 mp/h).

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOdJlkpmDe4

"Direct Touch" Pouch Design

I have been playing with pouches, too.

This time I am not so much after power (imagine that!), but I want precision. Releasing the pouch evenly is important for that.

When I fooled around with the shotgun pouch, I found that if you cut real large holes into the pouch, left and right to the center, then it allows you to directly grip the ball instead of the leather. The ball is locked very firmly into the hole, much like in a double cupped pouch.

You pinch the leather in front of the ball and pull right against the smooth steel surface. SO you can hold on very tight, and when you release, the smooth surfaces of the ball will ensure a very even motion flow.

This works really good.

I think you should try it!

Cocobolo design - the video

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVEJlDZ-im0

Enjoy!

Jörg

Cocobolo spike

Guess what... made one more today!

I think I forgot how it is to spend a lazy free day...

But I got this piece of Cocobolo and I just had to make a frame from it.

It is a variation of my "Double T" model, but this time, the over-the-top crossbars are Cocobolo, too. Of course there is the usual "heart of steel" - that is why I cut the Cocobolo rods in the middle, hollowed them out, then filled them with epoxy and laminated them to the frame. This will last forever.

The grip is absolutely gorgeous, it is so smooth that you can see your mirror image in it. The smoothness is just unbelievable. The shape is also really comfortable to hold!

I like it.

"3 Pillars Of Destruction" - The Strongest Slingshot

Have made a How-To video again, this time with only one thing in the focus:

POWER.

So I had to make a metal slingshot, but without welding - therefore, heavy bolts and nuts have been used. It had to be the "W" design as this is simply the most efficient frame I ever encountered (thanks to Bill Herriman again, who pointed this out to me some time ago).

I followed Dan's "core" idea and removed the fancy things a power slingshot does not need - no rotating handle, no hinges, straight forward.

The slingshot came out great!

I glued the grip and fork tubes over the threaded bolts, which holds 110%.

In the time the glue needed to harden, I quickly made a "Mini W". You actually hold it with two fingers against the fork and with the middle finger around the grip. Not bad! Could even make it smaller.

The picture with both slingshots also shows the ammo I used in the video (which will come up later), 18 mm hex nuts (41 gramms), bonecrushers (70 gramms) , and 30 mm steel balls (120 gramms). In comparison, I added a 3/8th (9.5 mm) steel ball...

I am shooting it with two strips of Thera Black per side, 14cm x 6cm x 20cm.

And here is the video:

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

Hammer Grip Style Slingshot: How To Make It

People want more How-to videos. Many youtubers want me to present how to's about wooden slingshots. Of course I took the challenge, and designed a frame much like the Phoenix because I love shooting it.

I had to use Multiplex because the fork is low, but the fork arms are long.

I treated the frame with wood stain, then polished everything to a high shine. This feels great in the hand!

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Go5JDVWEIY

Jörg

Shocking: Are Safety Glasses Useless?

Wanted to do a video today about how important it is to wear safety glasses. So I bought a styrofoam head (for wigs) and simulated a broken off fork arm. I used a raw egg to simulate the eye, which is a very vulnerable organ so the egg shell is probably more sturdy, but anyway.

I used one string of Thera Tube and attached a pen to it, the pen simulates the fork arm. Of course it smashed the unprotected egg. But here comes the problem: It smashed the egg that was behind the safety glasses as well!

I recorded everything in super slo mo (1200 frames per second), and you can clearly see that the glasses yielded and smashed the egg.

I think it is time to reconsider the safety glasses type. We need solid goggles that have a large distance to the eye, and also that wrap around your head.

Here is the video:

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

Now some people will say that I am the sole cause for a slingshot ban. But people need to know the dangers. Proper eyeware is needed.

New design,plus Win a Cougar!

I made a new slingshot, a marriage of laminated exotic wood and stainless steel. I had a few small "pen blanks" left, cool wood that is meant for pen makers. 6 pieces cost 10 Euros.

So I made a block from four of these 20mm x 20mm blocks, from Amaranth, Amarello, Zebrano and Rosewood.

In order to highlight the beauty of the wood, I decided to make a very simple fork, from stainless steel of course.

I think it came out pretty good! Feels wonderful in my hand, maybe because the handle is just like a file grip, a tool I dearly love and use very often.

The new slingshot looks very simple, but it is well thought out. It can shoot a .38" (9,5mm) steel ball at almost 180 mp/h (79 meters per second), with a pull that is so easy even a pre-teen boy could draw it out. Pure efficiency.

Different bands are tested as well, showing that heavier bands only make sense for heavier ammo.

At the end of the video, you can find the details for another drawing - 2 "Cougar" slingshots will go to the lucky winner (drawing will happen on June 1st, 2010). Details in the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxn-VhivO3M

Jörg

Review: A+ Slingshots, Handmade in the USA

The Slingshot Channel tests the three fantastic models made by Perry Adkisson from out of California. The PS1, PS2 and PS3 models arrived with different band sets (all interchangeable). Therefore, the slingshots are tested with the Chrony. The strongest one shot a 15 mm steel ball at 69 m/s or 225 fps! That is almost 250 km/h.

Perry's website can be found here:

https://sites.google.com/site/aplusslingshots/

Here is the video review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcb_MUl89T4

The winners!

These are the lucky winners of the three Cougar drawing (May 18, 2010):

- caveman691957

- gregoryhyde561

- cooltunaphoto

I already sent a PM to the winners. If you are not amongst them, never mind, I will do more such drawings in the future - so stay tuned.

The last of the bronze

This is a quick reminder: One more day left! Will do the drawing tomorrow.

This is what I did with the last of the bronze and rosewood.

Made the penholder for my wife, she is in medical school and has to study all day long. May this little item sweeten her daily learning chores.

Also, I will do the drawing tomorrow, so last call for those who haven't left a comment on the video so far.

Win a "Cougar Limited Edition" slingshot!

Yes, that's right, in one week (May 18th, 2010) I will draw three winners...

This video has the details (at the end of it):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV2oaNDPr3A

Remember that there are only 300 "Limiteds", so they may gain collector's value quickly. I will outift them with Thera Band Gold bands. I will pay for the shipping as well.

The participants of the East Coast Tournament will get a free Cougar anyway.

Good luck!

Jörg

Exotic wood & bronze

Hello,

after the trip to Alverton, I was eager to make another slingshot today.

I found a store where you can buy - fairly inexpensively - small wood blocks ment for pens. Some of them looked really cool, so I ordered a bunch of them.

Made a slingshot, in my favourite Compass design. But I used rosewood for the forks, amaranth and birds eye maple for the grip parts and birch for the bottom part. Came out great! No stain, no laquer, just polish.

I used bronze as the joints, and of course I put in a metal heart. It came out great!

For the "skeleton", I glued the parts together, but I do not trust glue very much so I secured everything with 3mm steel nails that keep the steel rods firmly in place.

This is a beautiful slingshot! Will finalize the polish job tomorrow and then do a video.

I actually think this may be my prettiest slingshot so far, I like it more than the Phoenix.

Regards

Jörg

The video: East Coast Slingshot Tournament

I have finished the video about the Alverton event.

Youtube oversteered my audio, I have to watch for that in the future. But it should still be interesting for you slingshot fanatics out there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQlPQEeJ97w

Greetings

Jörg

Interview with Jack Koehler

I just returned from the East Coast slingshot tournament (Alverton/PA). It was a blast! 45 shooters firing at all kinds of targets, at the same time, is really a great experience. Even though I did not win, I did fairly good. And my slingshot was the most powerful, hit with authority.

I have recorded a ton of video material, but the editing will take me a while. But the first one is finished and I have uploaded the "Alverton" video, an interview with Jack Koehler. Jack is the author of THE book about slingshots, and his "King Cat" is a fabulous weapon. Fiber optic sights, great arm brace, shiny and effective.

His book and his slingshot is presented. You can watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aTkHGUuOi0

Enjoy!

Jörg

Slomo of the slingshot shotgun at release

I have done some slomos to see how the pellets leave the pouch.

Interesting, the Kydex pouch flies high after the fork has been passed, while the shot pellets continue straight on.

The pellets are in a nice tight group, just perfect if you ask me.

Then, the pouch returns downwards. I have no explanation for the strange post-fork flight of the pouch, maybe it is because of the hollow container halfs. Well, I don't care as long as it works.

Introducing the Dankung "Cougar" Slingshot

Even though I gave them the design for free, I am very proud.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLnudI-ArHg

Regards

Jörg

Video Review: Express Bands from Bill Herriman

Bill Herriman (aka "Texshooter") is one of the greatest slingshot expert of the world. He has many years of experience and won some very prestigious titles in tournaments.

He does offer various slingshot products, like his band sets. These sets are available in several versions, each one made from natural latex. He tapers the bands, for additional speed.

This is a review about his "express" bands, the strongest he sells. They have been attached to the "Cougar", a slingshot that can take any kind of bands on the market.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4j-weKRqRY

The results are impressive! A .38 cal. steel ball (9,5mm) flew with 80 meters per second (262 feet/sec), quite impressive.

The bands have a very nice, smooth draw, and the preformed pouch is simply excellent.

Bill Herriman can be reached at nherriman@sts.rr.com.

Frameless finger shooter: The Video

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_k_-v1ZnKM


Jörg

Kydex pouch for lead shot

Got the 1mm Kydex today and made a pouch.

This works fantastic! I designed the pouch in a way that it can not fully open, just enough to let the 19mm lead ball out. This leads to very tight groups when I use lead shot! Even from 10 meters, several balls hit the air rifle target (which is small). At 5 meters, all of them are in the air rifle target.

I smashed an apple from 5 meters! No tissue bags whatsoever.

But it also shoots very good with lead balls.

The only issue: You either have to wear a glove or shoot it flipstyle. The pouch is not heavier than leather, but much harder, so a handslap might cause cuts, would hurt very much for sure.

No frame at all!

Someone from another forum challenged me to make a slingshot that has NO fork, just finger attachments.

Made one today! Cut it from leather, laced it up and watered it, so it takes on the form of my fingers.

This works. Can't use my strongest bands, but Thera Gold, 3cm x 2 cm, no problem. It is fun!

Failures! Failures!

A friend of mine asked me if I ever experienced failures. Yes, sir, failures galore! For every successful design, I have one that doesn't work.

He said that just showing off the successes is wrong, and asked me to present at least the more spectacular failures as well. OK, here are two of those.

The first one is an attempt to make a slingcat with draw length extension. The idea: A spring loaded mechanism would automatically raise a roller when you draw out, and then when you release it would snap back in, making room for the ball.

Problem is that it did not work. What happened is that the ball hits the roller. Obviously the roller did not get down fast enough. A dangerous slingshot. For the trash.

The next one was my attempt to make a target slingshot. I wanted adjustable fork width and height, self centering grip, a spirit level to avoid canting and adjustable sights.

In general it works, but it is way to heavy. I can make about ten shots, and then my arm begins to ache and to tremble. Plus, the adjustable fork height and width is unnecessary really. The only thing that is worth preserving is the sight+spirit level.



Regards, Jörg

Jörg Sprave "Cougar" now available!

Hello,

this is to let you know that the video introduction of the first Jörg Sprave Dankung will come out this coming weekend.

The Chinese already put the product up on their website, here:

http://www.dankung.com/emart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=322

The Chinese made a stainless steel casting mould for the design! It took a long time to optimize everything, but it came out very nice.

Every slingshot is engraved with my signature and marked "Special Edition" or even "Limited edition" (the latter won't be available from Dankung, but sold by selected European and US dealers only).

The design allows "Over The Top" flat band attachment (works for all kinds of flat bands, including Hunterbands, Bill Herriman's and Flatband's fine products). But it also allows the classical "pretzel" tubular band attachment.

The product is polished to a high sheen, not chrome plated like some of the less elaborate models.

The product will be available right after the introduction.

To make that point clear, I am not financially involved in this. I gave the design to Dankung for free, and I sure hope they will sell a ton of slingshots. These guys are eager, reliable and committed.

Watch out for the video!

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK-sThQTk7w

Hello,

I have rummaged through my slingshot leftover pile and found a few pieces of Arizona desert ironwood. Not enough to cut a complete slingshot, but too beautiful to let go to waste.

So I turned a steel skeleton from a massive one inch stainless steel rod and attached the round leftover wood to it.

It actually came out nice. A light shooter, this time with a higher fork and plain, modest over the top band attachment.

I like this slingshot. It is very solid, 8 mm steel up to the tips of the wood.

Desert Ironwood Gloveshot

After a whole day of filing, sanding and polishing, the frame of my first desert ironwood slingshot is done.

There are indeed fine cracks, but they are in an uncritical part, plus I have stablized the frame with 8 mm steel rods. Those rods can hold the force even without the wood. This glovehsot has a heart of stainless steel!

I used another part of my croc belt for the hand brace.

The shine of the wood is just phenomenal. No epoxy, no stainer, no wax, just natural. Fantastic!

It is a tough material, and the dust is not pleasant. But the work is worth it!

Monster Slingshot!

As you know, I like Thera Band.

Especially the thinner variants (blue or black) have lots of power, very fast rubber. BUT you always have to layer it, fold it, whatever.

I wanted to make a slingshot that can take a full width (138 mm) Thera Band without any folding or layering. This of course means that it has to be freakin wide! A monster slingshot.

Of course I like low forks, so the angle between the fork arms had to be very very low.

And the clamp-on method is the only one that works. I made the clamp from a 10mm steel rod, and put Thera Tube yellow over it to increase the friction. This holds 100%, and band change is really easy.

The slingshot really shoots well. Best feature is that the bands never tangle, reloading is very very quick.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thaKGKJm-j0

How to make the Gloveshot at home

Smitty's challenge made me re-evaluating my earlier decision not to develop the gloveshot design any further. I talked to my lawyer, and he thinks there is no legal problem, as the brace does not touch the arm, therefore it is not an arm brace. Only arm braces are banned in Germany.

Anyway, I made a tutorial video about how to build a gloveshot from wood, with common tools, and I also uploaded a pdf with the cutout outline for the side parts.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYJETqNQdeE


The gloveshot is really a cool design! I encourage you to give it a try.

Jörg

Review: 12 shot lead ball mould

Bells Of Hythe sent me a sample of their "New Forest 12 Shot 16mm Mould" product. I reviewed it and made a video about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZCJ3Mmqw9c

A great product!

WARNING: Casting your own bullets is addictive. The Slingshot Channel will not pay for any rehab costs! :-)