[AUSSIE4]

G'day fellas just want some advice on some premature band wear on clipped slingshots. The Titan Hunter frame by Chris Graffin is by far my favourite frame but since the start I have experienced some band wear near thr forktips right at the clips. When I first received the slingshot I used some 2000 grit wetsand to take the sharpish edge off the slingshot frame and the brass clips which has significantly helped in band life but even still, I am still getting wear at the forktips. I know its easy to say it's caused by awkward angles etc etc and compression of the clamps on the bands. I am wondering if anyone has faced the same problem with clipped slings and if they have found anything that can furthermore prevent the early band wear. I haven't had any bands snap at the pouch while using the Titan yet all have been replaced right before they snap at the forktips. I suspect I get around 300 per set which is still pretty good and I simple cut 2mm of band off and use the bands until once again they break near the forktips. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a pic below of how the band wear starts. The photo was taken at 100 shots.

 

[AUSSIE4]

200 shots. It is a fair bit less on the other side maybe I tightened this clip a little too much...

 

[Rayshot]

First bit of investigation; Are the bands straight cut? If they are it may not be so unusual.

I don't use clips but I am aware that the clips don't need to be torqued down like one would tighten a nut onto a bolt. I suggest testing how much/little it takes to hold the band in place and assess if you may be over tightening.

If they are tapered then hopefully someone who uses a taper cut with clips may chime in.

 

[Ordo]

What's that band? Looks weird.

 

[Sandstorm]

Hi. I use clips on almost all of my slingshots and haven’t had this issue. I don’t own the hunter personally so I’m not much help with that. Could be torquing the screws down too tightly though. Does it happen with just that frame? How about with different latex, or that same latex but on a different frame? Also as mentioned above, straights or tapers. I only use tapered sets. Or rather, have only used tapered sets.

 

[Booral121]

A light sanding is whats needed I se e a few people having the same issue with the clipped titan and the clipped evo 🎯👍👌👊

 

[Island made]

I would definitely say there over tightened…tends to happen with frames in which clips have flat clamping surfaces. When I do clips I do matching slots so only finger tight clamping is required. That said, those clips work just fine, I would suggest cutting a more extreme taper which will reduce the stress on the tips. I’ve made plenty of frames with flat clamping surfaces and they’ve worked fine with no premature wear, but I always do a 2/1 taper like 3/4 to 3/8” with a 12” active. So my bands always break at the pouch and there’s almost zero clamping pressure needed to hold the bands in place.

 

[AUSSIE4]

First bit of investigation; Are the bands straight cut? If they are it may not be so unusual.

I don't use clips but I am aware that the clips don't need to be torqued down like one would tighten a nut onto a bolt. I suggest testing how much/little it takes to hold the band in place and assess if you may be over tightening.

If they are tapered then hopefully someone who uses a taper cut with clips may chime in.

Yeah they are tapered mate. Thanks for the input appreciate it.

 

[AUSSIE4]

What's that band? Looks weird.

.60 sumike mate. Might look weird because I had the flash on and stretched it out a little to show the tear.

 

[AUSSIE4]

Hi. I use clips on almost all of my slingshots and haven’t had this issue. I don’t own the hunter personally so I’m not much help with that. Could be torquing the screws down too tightly though. Does it happen with just that frame? How about with different latex, or that same latex but on a different frame? Also as mentioned above, straights or tapers. I only use tapered sets. Or rather, have only used tapered sets.

I dont think it is the elastic it's only on this frame it occurs. I may be over tightening them, cheers.👍

 

[AUSSIE4]

A light sanding is whats needed I se e a few people having the same issue with the clipped titan and the clipped evo 🎯👍👌👊

Okay thanks mate I will have to give it a bit more of a sand when I received the slingshot I did a light sand with 2000 grit wetsand but I will give it a bit more.👍

 

[AUSSIE4]

I would definitely say there over tightened…tends to happen with frames in which clips have flat clamping surfaces. When I do clips I do matching slots so only finger tight clamping is required. That said, those clips work just fine, I would suggest cutting a more extreme taper which will reduce the stress on the tips. I’ve made plenty of frames with flat clamping surfaces and they’ve worked fine with no premature wear, but I always do a 2/1 taper like 3/4 to 3/8” with a 12” active. So my bands always break at the pouch and there’s almost zero clamping pressure needed to hold the bands in place.

Yeah I think maybe it is over tightening but I am also going to give it another light sand as someone mentioned above, it seems to happen on the Titan frame and the clipped Evo.😨 Thanks for the help mate I appreciate it.👍

 

[Booral121]

Okay thanks mate I will have to give it a bit more of a sand when I received the slingshot I did a light sand with 2000 grit wetsand but I will give it a bit more.👍

Also are you doubling your bands over like this because doing this I can honestly say I have never has one issue with damage or overtime tightening 🎯👊👌👍

 

[AUSSIE4]

Also are you doubling your bands over like this because doing this I can honestly say I have never has one issue with damage or overtime tightening 🎯👊👌👍

No to be honest but I will definitely give that a go thanks heaps!👍

 

[Booral121]

No to be honest but I will definitely give that a go thanks heaps!👍

No problem at all 🎯👊👍👌

 

[Sandstorm]

Also are you doubling your bands over like this because doing this I can honestly say I have never has one issue with damage or overtime tightening 🎯👊👌👍

Was lurking and happened to see your reply. That’s a good idea. I’m gonna start using that. Thanks man.

 

[Booral121]

That’s a good idea. I’m gonna start using that. Thanks man.

No problem at all honestly 👊🎯 what I usually do is just leave like 8-10mm extra on depending in the depth of your clips and honestly never once had a issue

 

[Sandstorm]

Keep us posted on this. I’d be interested to see how it all worked out for you.

 

[AUSSIE4]

Keep us posted on this. I’d be interested to see how it all worked out for you.

Will do mate next bandset I will give it a go and let you know how it goes. Not sure when that will be building a natty at the minute and this afternoon is going to be full of sanding lol.👍

 

[Trap1]

I've no seen close ups o' either of slings mentioned above. On the ones I've made & bought I polish the edges & surfaces to near mirror, I use mops & polishing bars on a wood lathe @ 1800/2000rpm to achieve this. A bench grinder would do though.

My thoughts on over tightening clamps on bands..
When you tighten/clamp a material that is naturally stretchy consider that this material is in a state of displacement ie thinner state. As long as the displacing clamp does not cut the material like a guillotine & you dont exceed the maximum stretch (ie thinnest point the material can reach breaking or failure point.. whatever) through clamping torque you should be ok. When you pull on your bands the active length will take up the stretch until you reach a point of equilibrium or less than that of the displacement/clamping torque. The same could be said at the thinner pouch ties but that nos so much o' an issue here Before I made/used take down forks with clamps , I spent a fair bit of time thinking on clamp design...didn't do anything new design wise. Since then I have used GZK titanium hammer & others & polished & clamped them tight & no problems. Different materials have different friction coefficients & which will have slightly different clamping torque requirements...does it matter..it's just my take I go with my gut.