[philly]

After making 3 naturals, I thought it was time to try my hand at a board cut. Picked up 2 feet of 1X6 Red Oak at the local HD and worked on a pattern, or should I say a couple combined off the shared forum and my collection of slingshots. My intention was to create a comfortable wide fork shooter to use for larger size shot. I spaced the forks 2.5 inches and 1 3/4" high. The sling is 6" long and a total of 4" wide. Cutting out the blank was a bit of work, I used my band saw but did not have the proper blade width so had to kind of slice and dice to get it roughed out. Then came a lot of rasp, file and sandpaper work, I used a piece of 1/2" drill rod to burnish the edges all around to give a nice smooth radius to the frame, The finish is 3 coats of Linseed Oil. I selected Flatbands .050" Latex 5/8X1/2 X8 inches, pouch to fork face. Shoots 12MM steel and .44 Cal lead great. I like the way it turned out and have enough Oak left for two more. So, pretty much all hand made with basic tools. I had a great time working on it and can better appreciate what goes into some of the custom work you see on the forum. Thanks all for all the insight and encouragement.
Philly

 

[MidniteMarauder]

Looks great to me. Liking the way the oak looks in the linseed oil. I need to get to the lumber yard.

 

[Rayshot]

Looking good, Phil!!

 

[NoSugarRob]

i like

 

[philly]

Thanks guys, Midnite, the Red Oak at HD was only $6.85 for two linear feet, enough for at least 3 cuts. Nice grain and takes the Linseed Oil well.
Philly

 

[BaneofSmallGame]

Way to go Phil! That is certainly better than my 3rd attempt at a boardcut (the most recent one)...I'm impressed!

That will be a fine shooter, its got a good shape to it. Gotta love that med-grade latex as well. Honestly, I still love your naturals the most, but you've got a real winner here.

Cheers - John

 

[Flatband]

PHilly, you have arrived Bud! That looks great! I also love the way the oak took the linseed. I'll have to do one now with the oil!

Flatband

 

[philly]

Thanks John, Gary, I wanted something with wider forks and a straight grip, I shoot vertical. Want to go to heavier ammo, although I just bought some 32 cal swaged balls for birds. I'll use it with one of my 2" natural forks. Maybe single Tex exp bands and a small pouch. Should be a flat shooter with plenty power for starlings and pidgeons.
Philly

 

[mxred91]

I don't see how you could have done any better, excellent work! Nice straight grained piece of Oak too. Keep them coming.

 

[philly]

Thanks MX, yes, the piece of Red Oak I got is very nice. For less than $7.00, I can make myself 3 nice board cuts, fill some time and have fun in the process. Shot with it for about 2 hours tonight, tried all different ammo, steel and lead from 3/8 to 1/2 inch. It seems to like 7/16" steel and .44 caliber lead the best with the band set up I now have. They are Gary FlatbandsLatex, set at 8"long from the pouch tie to the front of the fork, shoots well, I will try 7 1/2' tomorrow and then try Tex's Express bands after that. I want to fine tune this one for hunting. I'll make a second and set it up for 3/8 steel for target shooting. The frame is very comfortable, fits my hand like a glove.
Philly

 

[philly]

Thanks MX, yes, the piece of Red Oak I got is very nice. For less than $7.00, I can make myself 3 nice board cuts, fill some time and have fun in the process. Shot with it for about 2 hours tonight, tried all different ammo, steel and lead from 3/8 to 1/2 inch. It seems to like 7/16" steel and .44 caliber lead the best with the band set up I now have. They are Gary FlatbandsLatex, set at 8"long from the pouch tie to the front of the fork, shoots well, I will try 7 1/2' tomorrow and then try Tex's Express bands after that. I want to fine tune this one for hunting. I'll make a second and set it up for 3/8 steel for target shooting. The frame is very comfortable, fits my hand like a glove.
Philly

 

[Chepo69]

We do full justice to the red oak, my good friend Philly

 

[philly]

Chepo, your latest Oak natural is awesome. Thanks for your comment.
Philly

 

[philly]

UPDATE:

Well, I finally settled in on the right combo for my Red Oak board cut, Tex Express bands set at 8 1/2" pouch tie to fork, shoots very well with all ammo I've tried. My target was a 50' Indoor Pistol Bullseye with a 3" bull. I shot 50 shots alternating between .36 cal lead, .44 cal lead, 3/8 steel and 7/16 steel. My indoor max distance is 21', or
7 yards and I put 46/50 inside 3" bull with a couple just outside the line. Very stable shooter, fits the hand perfectly.The design is made up of three different slings I own and like, length O/L is from Flatbands Skeen model, Fork width and spacing from Perry's A+ PS2, the middle contour from Jim's amazing EPS. Thanks guys, It's probably like 20 other designs but I guess having made it myself first time out it seems to shoot best for me right now.
Philly

 

[Dayhiker]

This is a great slingshot, Philly. And good shooting too. Your work is impeccable!

 

[philly]

Thanks DH, I am going to replicate it and try adding a Palm swell next. I have purchased some very nice slimgshots and love to shoot them all but shooting one you made yourself has a special feel of satisfaction.
Philly

 

[Dan the Slingshot Man]

really nice

 

[GreyOwl]

Hy Philly,

have you seen my first one from November 2010?

 

[philly]

Grey Owl, I like it, sweet little shooter. Great job. I just finished my second Red oak and this time added an apple Palm swell.
Philly