As promised, here is the GIY Guide’s instructional on building your own pocket slingshot. Still used in some parts of the world as silent hunting weapons or for target practice, the trajectory and range provided by a slingshot’s mere amount of elastic and a steady hand is impressive. Great for hurling seed bombs (see last week’s installment of the GIY Guide) over fences and into vacant lots, these handheld catapults are easy to make and even easier to use.

What You’ll Need:

1) Y-shaped, hardwood branch an inch or two thick. Wood should be green, unsplintered, and uncracked.

2) Duct tape

3) Broad rubber bands, surgical tubing, or an old bicycle inner tube (not the damaged part)

4) Smaller rubber bands for attaching

How To:

1) Trim handle and fork of branch to be the same approximate length and strip of bark.

2) With multiple layers of duct tape, make a rectangle about 2” x 2 1/2” in diameter. This will be the pouch. Cut two small, centered slits equidistant of the two shorter ends, just wide enough to allow the elastic to slip through.

3) Cut two equal lengths (about 6”) of whatever rubber material you’re using and thread through the pouch slits.

4) Double the ends of each rubber strip over itself to create a small loop on either end of your pouch. Secure in place with smaller rubber bands.

5) Attach free ends to each fork with more small rubber bands. Double check to make sure each sling band is still equal in length by pulling back on the pouch and making sure it stays centered. Reinforce with duct tape if you wish.

6) Wrap the handle of slingshot in duct tape for better grip.

7) Take outside for a test run, and don’t hold near your own (or anyone else’s) face when firing.

Happy slinging!

Image from Diamonique via flickr.