Make a Sling Shot

are not merely toys. With the right construction and ammunition, this ancient device can also be a lethal weapon suitable for hunting small game in a survival situation. This article provides instructions for making both a handheld and catapult-style slingshot.

 

Things You'll Need

• One or two long, thick rubber bands. Alternatively, a length of surgical tubing or some other stretchy, strong material
• Smaller rubber bands
• A small piece of leather
• A Y-shaped branch
• A knife

Steps

Standard Slingshot

Make a Handle

1.) Find a sturdy, Y-shaped piece of wood. You can make a slingshot with a forked branch of just about any size, but a piece about 6 to 9 inches long with a fairly uniform thickness of 1 to 2 inches will make a strong, easy-to-use slingshot. Try to find a piece with as few imperfections as possible; even moderate cracks can render your slingshot dangerous or unusable. If there are knots or bumps you can cut or sand them off.

2.) Peel off the bark. With the bark gone the slingshot will be more comfortable to hold. You may need to let the branch dry a little before you can get the bark off.

3.) Let the wood dry. This step isn't necessary, but if the wood is still green, it's a good idea to let it slowly dry. This will give it more stability and strength.

Make a Sling

1.) Get a long, thick rubber band to form the firing mechanism. You can make a stronger firing mechanism by using surgical tubing or several rubber bands wound around each other. You can experiment with the length to find out what works best, but it is important that it be strong and thick.

 2.) Cut the rubber band in half. You now have a band for each side of the slingshot. If you're using surgical tubing or multiple rubber bands, you can skip this step; just make sure that each band (for either side of the firing mechanism) is of equal length.

3.) Get a rectangular piece of leather or strong cloth. (Several rectangles of duct tape stuck together work, too.) This will be your holder or "pocket." It should be slightly rectangular, with each side measuring between 2 to 4 inches.

 

 4.) Cut a slit on either side of the pocket. Use a knife to make an incision about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in from each edge. The slits should run parallel to the shorter edges of the pocket and be the same distance from their respective edges. The slits should also be just large enough for the rubber band to fit through without being wrinkled.

5.) Slip one end of one of your rubber bands through the slit and fold it back over itself so that it makes a little loop around the edge of the pocket. Secure the loop by putting a small, but sturdy rubber band around. The smaller rubber band will probably have to be doubled or tripled around itself to make it tight enough. Repeat this other rubber band on the other side of the pocket. Make sure the bands on both sides are still of equal length.

Assemble for Use

1.) Secure the free ends of the long rubber bands to the handle by tying them or using electrical tape. Attach one free end to either branch of the “Y,” near the tip. Once again make sure the bands are of equal length.

2.) Shoot your slingshot. Use small rocks, rubber balls, and wadded-up pieces of paper--just about any small projectile--as ammunition. Exercise caution when firing your slingshot and wear eye protection.

Tips

• Surgical tubing works better than rubber bands. It is much stronger due to its shape, and can be bought online or even at some hobby or hardware stores.
• Tightly wrap the handle with tape or twine to provide a surer, more comfortable grip.
• You can make slingshots of just about any size. Try varying sizes to find out which work best.
• Dried wood works better for slingshots. Make sure it's dried slowly or it may be prone to cracking.
• To protect your eyes, don't raise the slingshot to eye level. With practice you can be just as accurate (or more) by holding the loaded pocket in a fixed position close to your body (near the hip for example), and moving the body of the slingshot to aim.
• Head bands can be used in the place of rubber bands as they don't break as easily and are longer.

Warnings

• Use your slingshot responsibly. Treat it with the respect it deserves.
• Your rubber bands should be as strong as possible. Therefore, be sure that they aren't dried-out, cracked, or torn.
• Never fire your slingshot in the direction of people or animals. Your slingshot should be treated with the same caution as a deadly weapon.
• Protect your eyes and use your slingshot with care.
• Be sure that the branch has no sign of rot; a dead branch can result in serious injury.
• Never pull the pouch back to your eye. If the rubber snaps, you will hit yourself in the face.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• If you have a wooden frame, first make sure that it is a solid piece of wood that doesn't have cracks or holes.