Any slingshotters out there?

In an attempt to manage the flying and wood roach population that have taken abode in the shed-house, I use diatamacous earth, and salt. Along with a knife and flashlight! I recently picked up some coarse salt and it works well in the slingshot to knock them down from the ceiling so I can then get them by hand.

I generally do not harm insects and it hasnt been very fun the last few years going after them.

All started with a pile of wood brought in, but leaving windows and doors open has now invited the flying ones in too.

Thankfully I only sleep in there when its cold (wood burner inside) and they are not as active then.

Vitor,

I should have said that paracord is better for a talentless maker of slings like myself.

You are an artisan. I have no doubt all your points are correct.

If you ever have the time, the excellent novella "This Immortal" by Roger Zelazny has a duel to the death involving slings. It is on audible. Any slinger would enjoy it.

That's a great looking sling.

Jeff

Thanks for your kind words. I'd be happy to make such a sling for anyone who will actually use it.

Wayne Gough wrote:Slingshots are banned in Australia. They are classed as a weapon here.

only the ones with hand braces. The ones without are classed as children's toys to avoid being classed as a weapon.

Jeff Lindsey wrote:Sling Shots are enjoying a new golden age,  after the long dark of the 1990's when "wrist rockets" faded from the inventory of teenage boys.  

The mad German scientist and inventor Jorge Sprave  (may he sling forever) and his homemade Rambone slingshot have a lot to do with that. Sprave has also revolutionized the pistol crossbow, the stick bow, the catapult and anything else he can weaponize.  Ever wondered if you could launch an old circular saw blade through a police riot shield? Sprave knows these things.
Slingshot Channel

A properly strung Rambone is much easier to carry and conceal, as accurate, as powerful, and faster to load than a wrist rocket. They are also cheaper and easier to source rubber for.  Here's an expert in their use.
How to shoot

Wrist rockets are better for slingshot fishing in my experience.

In today's world of nosey drones, ubiquitous cameras, gunshot location installations, background/ID checks on air rifles,  and endless busybody  tattle tells with cell phones,  the time of the slingshot has returned.  There are endless reasons why a homesteader might want to quickly and near silently hurl a rock or a ball bearing or a marble a few dozen feet with surprising accuracy and considerable force. The handmade or store-bought rambone style slingshot  allows this capability to be tucked into a pocket. You can upcycle all sorts of rubber for the bands.

Like longbows and recurves, slingshots are learned reflexive shooters. That means they can be used in the dark, and for indirect shots. Super handy.

The traditional braided fiber sling is also enjoying a renaissance, and those are fun but harder to master. Their power, range, and versatility in the hands of a practiced user should never be underestimated, but it is a much more demanding hobby with little use outside of survival hunting and desperation based asymmetrical warfare. Still, hurling a half pound ball of wet clay through a 3/4 sheet of plywood with a rope and a leather pouch is a lot of fun and a good shoulder workout.

Happy slinging to you all!

I make braided slings when I am bored and have some twine at hand. I have had the idea of slinging clay seed balls with them, like Lofthouse was saying.

Dear hubby is a sling shooter.  I am not sure if he has had much success though.  He uses marbles as they are easy to source.  

I forgot to mention I am new to permies, despite lurking for a while. A long time interest in permaculture and slinging so this post crossed my interests and coaxed me to become active on here!

Welcome, Josh!  You'll find a lot here to capture your interest...and many rabbit holes to dig up.  haha

Joseph Lofthouse wrote:I plant seeds with a slingshot. I form a clay ball with seeds inside. I can shoot it hundreds of feet into the wildlands, which saves me the effort of climbing a hill. And the clay protects the seeds from the elements and critters until enough moisture and heat arrives for them to germinate.

I was just learning about slingshots lately,  and I couldn't help but wish the little clay pellets had seeds inside.

It's inspiring to learn It's a thing.

Any advise on  how to make a slingshot (elastic Y-shape kind) out of a tree?  

I kind of broke one I was learning on and want to make a nice one to replace it.  Preferably one where the arms aren't glued in.  And maybe make another one for me.

I've got some sizeable plum branches that need pruning.  Would that work?  

This video seems helpful.  He says pretty much any tree that makes a fruit or nut will work.  Green or recently felled, not old.