How to Make Slingshot Cannons

This slingshot is handheld, but you can anchor yours in the ground.

A slingshot cannon can shoot up to 600 feet, making it a powerful toy to use in your backyard or a nearby park. It can shoot anything small and round, including tennis balls, potatoes or beanbags. Building the cannon does not require many supplies or too much time---just a few simple materials and steps. Once you have constructed the cannon, it will shoot objects with a lot of force over a long distance; remember to aim carefully.

Things You'll Need

• Piece of leather cut into a rectangular shape
• Knife
• Six large rubber bands (the biggest ones you can find)
• Two cable ties
• Y-shaped branch

Instructions

1. 

   Make holes in either side of your piece of leather so it looks similar to the one shown here.

   Using your knife, cut two 1/2-inch-wide holes in the piece of leather. Cut the holes close to the edges of the leather on the shorter sides of the rectangle so that the longest part of the leather lies between them.

2. Thread a rubber band through one of the holes.

3. 

   Loop one end of the rubber band (we'll call it "End A") under the other ("End B") and pull End A tight, so that End B slides down toward the leather and forms a knot. Tie this knot around the edge of the leather next to the hole.

4. Repeat Step 3 with two more of the rubber bands so you have three tied around the edge of the leather near the first hole. Pull the bands tight.

5. Repeat Step 4 with the other three rubber bands on the hole on the other side of the leather. You will then have three rubber bands tied around the edge of the leather at each hole.

6. Put the cable tie through the loose, unknotted ends of the three rubber band loops from one of the holes. Fasten the cable tie to one side of the Y-shaped branch by threading it through its closure and pulling it tight.

7. Repeat Step 6 on the other side.

8. Using your knife, cut off the excess cable tie plastic on each side.

9. Stick the branch 3 or 4 inches into the ground---enough that it feels stable when you pull back on the leather. Find ground that is solid enough that the stick won't move when you pull the elastics. You can now fire when ready.

Tips & Warnings

• When you put your stick in the ground, aim it in a direction that gives you plenty of room to shoot.

• Use big, thick rubber bands that can stretch out without breaking.

• Other forms of elastic such as surgical tubes or bungee cords can substitute for the rubber bands.

• Slingshots can shoot objects with a lot of force, so practice caution when you aim.

• Ensure that you have a clear path in which to fire, and remember that at first you might not aim precisely. Give yourself plenty of room to practice, and never stand in front of the slingshot while pulling it back. Build this slingshot for fun; do not shoot at other people or animals.

References

• YouTube: How To Make A Slingshot That Can Shoot Up To 200 meters (600 feet)
• Answerbag: How to make homemade slingshot/projectile launcher?

Resources

• Desiquintans: How to Make a Slingshot