[philly]

In my recent posts, I have shown my second board cut, a Red Oak/Apple Palm Swell model based on many features of slingshots I own. Well, it became my most accurate target shooter, 90/95 out of 100 inside 3" at 7 yards. Last night, shooting indoors disaster struck. I was shooting with a big bandaid on my pouch thumb to cover a nasty crack under the nail. I noticed that my release was off and I had a few fliers. Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to it and then it happened. As I was drawing back, almost at full draw I felt the pouch slipping off my thumb. BANG, WHAM, fork hit on the outside fork. Well, the Red Oak has a beautiful straight grain and the .44 cal lead ball hit the tip and sheared the fork off along the grain line. Fortunately, when I draw I do not bring the pouch to anchor untill I am at full strech so the sling was still below my face. I don't know how the fork flew but it never hit me. Th .44 Cal lead ball however, went right through the sheetrock on the cieling. I was devastated, I loved the slingshot.

This morning I decided I would try to repair it, I glued it together, then drilled two 3/16 holes angled through the crack into the main body and installed two steel rods. So far, looks Ok and will be usable and I don't see how it would affect the accuracy. Time will tell.

I wear glasses full time and they are shatter proof, the rest of my face is not however. Lesson learned, don't shoot without protection and never with a bandaid on your shooting thumb. I am lucky that when I first got back to slingshots, I conciously developed a drawing and mounting method that gives some protection from bands breaking at the fork. It may have saved me from a serious injury. I guess Multi Plex is the answer going forward,
Philly

 

[Sammy]

Glad you're safe... good story and lesson... Safety first and pay attention to the little things.... Thanks for sharing!

 

[MidniteMarauder]

 

[ERdept]

 

[NaturalFork]

Shooting lead indoors! .... crazy.

 

[philly]

Lead is no problem with a good catch box, balls stay round and you dont loose any ( except the one in the cieling). I like to practice with what I hunt with.
Philly

 

[Flatband]

Glad you're okay Phil. As far as the repair-That'll work Bud! Jaybird blew a frame of his apart and pinned it and he uses the heaviest band set I cut for any shooter and that is still one of his favorites. He made the repair across the same crack -pinned and glued it up. Hop she works for you! Flatband

 

[philly]

Thanks Gary, looks like it will work out, will strap it up tommorow and give it a go. BTW check your PM I sent you something.
Philly

 

[M.J]

That's a bummer! I know how much a slingshot means when you make it yourself. As valueable as one you've paid for, just for different reasons.
Hope your repair goes well!

 

[e~shot]

OMG,

it is glad you are OK.

 

[NoSugarRob]

 

[philly]

OK, repair went well, stronger now than original. Two 3/16 rods CA glued in thru main frame. Looks good and still shoots well.
Philly

 

[philly]

OK, repair went well, stronger now than original. Two 3/16 rods CA glued in thru main frame. Looks good and still shoots well.
Philly

Oh yeah, my wife finally saw the hole in the cieling, she worried more about that than my beloved slingshot. Go figure?
Philly

 

[Peresh]

Glad ur ok Phil !

 

[philly]

Glad ur ok Phil !

Hey Man, where you been hiding? Looking forward to a get together.

Yeah, it was a little scary afterwards, fortunately the only damage was to the slingshot and the cieling. Both repaired already.

Philly