New "W"-Slingshot, 90% wood, made with common tools

[JoergS]

The self centering "W" slingshot (original idea by Bill Herriman) is my preferred design right now. And many people love it, too, they want to have one... but as you know, I do not sell my slingshots.

So I have been thinking about a "How to" video. Problem is that for the stainless steel "W", you need welding gear and other rather expensive and unusual tools. People don't have these tools at home, so I had to come up with a wooden "W".

It turned out rather well, no metalworks at all. It is more bulky (10% lighter, though), but it shoots just as good. I am very pleased with the stability - no wonder, 1" wooden rods can take some strain.

The video is finished and currently uploading, but here are two photos for now:

Greetings from snowy Germany

Jörg

 

[JoergS]

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQr8U34ugH8

 

[federalfarmer]

Thank you for posting, that will make a great project!

 

[TimM]

You selling these things?

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

but as you know, I do not sell my slingshots.

I don't think he is, but you might want to ask him.

I know you say it isn't possible, but I'm pretty sure I could shoot my hand with one of those. The conversation might go a bit like this.

Jørg: I shot my hand.
Jörg: That's impossible, projectile travels on the same plane as the bands.
Jørg: Look at my bloody hand.
Jörg: It's simply not possible. It's very basic physics.
Jørg: But.... my hand...
Jörg: Look, I don't know how the hell you did that, but it wasn't the slingshot. You couldn't even shoot your hand if you tried. Wait, did you try?
Jørg: Uh, of course not, that would be dumb, but it really hurts.
Jörg: Stop whining.



Nice video, by the way, very thorough.

 

[Sunray]

TimM, can you not read? Jorg says he doesn't sell 'em.
"...you need welding gear..." And the skill required to weld SS. I'd bet your design could be made with screw together bar stock.
"...Jörg: Stop whining..." And talking to yourself. snicker.

 

[JoergS]

OK, if you

a) don't trust my words, and
b) don't trust my slow motion video studies,

then maybe you trust

c) Sir Isaac Newton.

He came up with so-called gravity laws, a concept that even the here present sceptics probably acknowledge.

The earth acceleration is 9,81 m/sec*sec.

Let us assume you have a draw length of 1,20 m (that is quite long). And let us further assume that the ball (15mm diameter, .60") flies with 65 m/sec at the end of the acceleration (V0 = 65 m/s, at the fork). That would mean that the average speed is 32,5 m/sec between pouch and fork.

In this case the ball would need 0,037 seconds (37 milliseconds) to reach your hand.

In this time frame, it would drop 0.5*981 cm * 0,037 * 0,037 = 0,67 cm (under 7mm).

The 15 mm ball passes the fork with its lower rim 1,05 cm over the top of the grip (= your hand).

The shot would have to fly as slow as 40 m/sec (at the end of the acceleration, so V0=40m/s) to make the ball just graze the tip of the grip. That would be the weakest shot in history.

This calculation does not even assume that the pouch moves towards the fork tips and counterbalances the gravity (a slight upwards vector is applied to the ball). So in reality, the drop is even less substantial.

But of course it would be easy to add a good "cowards" safety margin by making the fork ends higher. It would spoil the effectiveness of the design, though. And then of course the ball may still fall out of your pouch and then hit your foot. Ouch!

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT responsible for your attempts to copy my design. All I am saying is that my design is well thought through, supported by the laws of physics and proven by field tests using professional equipment.

Greetings

Jörg

 

[Owen]

right, and what Jorg is saying is that he is good at finding new and creative ways to hurt himself via clumsiness.

He's not knocking your design, he's making fun of himself.

I know exactly where he's coming from (anyone seen my icepack?)

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

He's not knocking your design, he's making fun of himself.

This is correct. Sorry if that didn't come through properly.

I have no doubt that your design works as you say. I was just playing off the initial impression most of us seem to have, which is something to the effect of "Wow, that's flying really close to my hand!" and that given enough determination, even the most safe design can be overcome by clumsy. I was just having a little fun. I meant no offense.

 

[JoergS]

OK, no offense taken. I was probably overreacting.

Like all new concepts, my flat forked slingshots have to fight against the fact that people know what they know, and even new findings and discoveries won't change that.

So, on a very very small scale, I share the experiences of Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler. Not the worst imaginable brothers of destiny!

Jörg

 

[janobles14]

joerg where does one get small amounts of theraband? i would like to make one of these but dont need tons of extra band.

 

[JoergS]

janobles14, where do you live? Here in Germany, I can buy just 1,7 meters of the stuff from two ebay powersellers. You will need a little more than just the material for one set of bands, 1.7 meters of Thera Band Black will give you maybe four of them. They tear sooner or later, you know.

You can also go to a store that sells therapeutical goods, but make sure they don't overcharge.

 

[mustang_steve]

The only way I see getting hit is by using non-round projectiles.

I remember a time as a kid, where I decided to use Clovis pins as ammo. I still have a series of scars on my right hand from the damage that dealt. It did a heck of a number on stuff I was shooting it at though......including my hand

It turns out the pin has a natural spin, this spin gives it a very broad "potential hit zone" as it is launched....this allowed it to slice my hand if I wasn't VERY careful.

If you ever see some of my "this is how I hold my pistol" pics...you can see a few of those scars.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Thanks Now I can make a W my self with out a welder. THANKS!!!

 

[481]

What an innovative concept.

Never seen a slingshot like that. Seems to offer the benefit of a reduced lever arm (which causes the slingshot to torque in the shooetr's hand) while still performing like a conventional "Y" design.

What velocity are you typically acheiving from this design?