[SlingMan]

Here's my first go at making a sling shot. It started with this:

[img=http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5551/firstnaturalss2010001.th.jpg]

Stage 2:

[img=http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8163/firstnaturalss2010003.th.jpg]

Finished product:

[img=http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/856/myslingshots2010005.th.jpg]

The wood is cut from a Crate Mirdle tree at the side of our house. This wood is extremely hard.

After removing the bark I hand sanded with 3 different grits of sand paper. After I got it to where I
wanted it I coated it with 10 coats of Boiled Linseed Oil. After each coat set 15 minutes I went over
it with #0000 steel wool. The finish is amazingly smooth and hard.

I attached a set of .030" latex bands from Gary "FlatBand" Miller on her and there you go.

Also, I dried the wood in a microwave oven till all moisture was gone.

Hope you like it! Lots of hard work for sure.

I look forward to making another one soon.

 

[jmplsnt]

I like that one. I've often seen crepe myrtles and wondered how their forks would work out. In fact I caught myself digging through a pile of trimmings a week ago but nothing there was worth keeping.

Flatband makes some of the best elastics out there. I bought one of his 5-piece samplers years ago and the linatex band is still going strong. While I prefer making my bands you won't go wrong buying from him, either.

Please keep us posted on your future projects; I love natural forks.

 

[baumstamm]

good catty, and a great collection!

 

[mxred91]

Very welldone. I cut a fork yesterday. When you dry the wood in the microwave do you seal the ends? How long do you set the timer for?

 

[NaturalFork]

Looks good. How does she shoot.

 

[harpersgrace]

Very welldone. I cut a fork yesterday. When you dry the wood in the microwave do you seal the ends? How long do you set the timer for?

MX do a search for microwave, it's been a while since I did it, and I dont want to steer you wrong,
To the best of my memory and please check this, the ends do not have to be sealed, you put it in a zip lock freezer bag wraped in paper towel zap it on high for about 20-25 seconds or until the bag starts to puff up, take it out dry it off, let it cool, repete five or six times usually does it for me....there is a whole thing about weighing the fork to determine how much moisture has been lost but that just seemed like too much work to me....PLEASE search for the thread that gives you directions to verify this...

And that is a great looking fork slingman congrats....................

 

[Mtnfolk Mike]

nice work.. that came out great...

i recently cut a nice hazel fork, to try and make my first slingshot..

 

[ZDP-189]

I have heard of all manner of wood drying methods, alternately using alcohol, salt, microwaves, heat, partial vacuums, and simply air-drying. This (link) is an excellent primer on speed drying. I must say that I always prefer naturally dried woods, especially hard woods, burl woods and woods susceptible to warping and cracking. Sometimes when you dry wood too fast the outside (or one side) shrinks too fast and the wet wood inside won't contract. For me the main benefit of natural forks is their strength and it's a shame to risk throwing that away with hasty drying.

 

[Bill Hays]

Lookin' good Joe!