How to Build a Sling Shot

Slingshots can be made fro a variety of common materials.

The slingshot is a powerful hunting tool and sporting item that can be made at home or in a survival situation; a slingshot is excellent for shooting small game for food. The ability to make and shoot a slingshot could mean the difference between starving in the wild or surviving until help arrives.

Things You'll Need

• Small hand saw
• Woodcarving or whittling knife
• Y-shaped branch, 1 1/2 to 2-inch diameter
• Latex surgical tubing, 1/4-inch or larger
• Leather or strong cloth
• String or fishing line.
• Sandpaper

Instructions

1. Trim your "Y" shaped branch so the handle comfortably fits your hand. The top ends should be 3 to 4-inches in length and of equal size. Trim off the bark. If you are using fresh wood allow it to dry for a couple of days. Sand the stick to a smooth finish, removing any burrs.

2. Cut your rubber tubing into two equal lengths. Determine the correct draw length for your arms. Hold one end of the tubing in your hand with your arm straight out in front of you; pull the other end back with your opposite hand. You should reach optimal stretching force of the band when your draw hand reaches your cheek. Cut the tubing to that length.

3. Cut the leather piece into a 1 1/2 by 3-inch rectangle. This will be your sling pocket. Cut a slit in both ends of the piece, parallel to the short ends. The slit must be large enough to permit insertion of the surgical tube without wrinkling.

4. Tie one end of each piece of tubing to the leather sling-pouch. Use the same amount of tube in each knot so that they stay the same length. Wrap and tie the knot in string or fishing line so that it does not untie with use.

5. Tie the remaining ends of the rubber tubing to the ends of the forks on the slingshot base; wrap the knots in string like you did for the leather pouch. The tubes must be exactly the same length to ensure accuracy.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider adding a coat of sealer to the wood once it has dried sufficiently. This will help to prevent rotting.

• Form the leather for the sling pocket by wrapping it around a small rock and soaking it in water.

• Carving shallow notches in the wood where the rubber tubing attaches will prevent the elastic from sliding off when in use.

• In a survival situation, many different types of rubber can be used for building a slingshot, and ammo could be rocks, nuts, and bolts or whatever suitable materials you can find.

• Make sure all parts are tied together securely. You might be injured if a band detaches from the slingshot base.

• Slingshots can be powerful. Never shoot at anyone with a slingshot. Always supervise any children that may be using your slingshot. Slingshots should be treated with the same respect as guns and knives.

References

• Reefscuba: How to make a surgical tubing slingshot
• Youtube: How to make a slingshot