[Hermit]

Good morning -

Received an order from GZK yesterday; fast, 5 days from China. Gonna try tying on my own pouches. I have been watching many videos on how to do this which appears to be relatively simple. My question is do I wrap and tuck? Constrictor knot? I have seen videos with guys using a couple of overhand knots. Are certain knots better than others? I did get the tying jig crystal string and the amber belt.

Thanks

Rich

 

[Grandpa Grumpy]

You have to do your own experiments to decide which tying method works for you. I would suggest that it is more important to find how much pre-stretch you need before tying. A good pouch tying jig is helpful here.

I use a constrictor knot and embroidery thread. Very lightweight.

 

[Palmettoflyer]

Rich, I agree with Grandpa, that you have to find what works best for you.

Since you have the Amber Belt, I would suggest to use it. That is all I use and love the stuff. No fancy knots to fiddle with. Just two overhand knots and your done.

Using amber belt, wrap 3x keeping moderate stretch with the amber band. After 3 wraps, tie 2 knots, and trim the excess above the knot. After you tie both sides of the pouch, trim the latex band down to the amber belt wrap to remove the dead weight of the extra latex. A light weight tie means lest wasted energy and more band energy goes into the ammo.

 

[Reed Lukens]

I also agree with the guys above, but I use the crystal string for the pouches, wrapped 7 times for a heavy band set, 4 or 5 for a light band, then tie a double square knot and cut the excess at the knot. I use the Amber Belt to tie to the slingshot.

 

[Hermit]

Thanks Guys - appreciate the responses! Makes my life easier..

Rich

 

[Konrad]

How are you Hermit?

This for the pouches, I use clamps on a slingshot rifle.

I tried wrap and tuck (messy, weak and heavy), Constrictor knots (short band life and weak with the wrong thread), cuffed Constrictor knots (too heavy) but this was the best I ever saw, Strong, light, super neat and tidy, fast and long lasting. I use a 0.8mm to 1.5mm crystal cord (or stretch magic) on a slingshot rifle that shoots 116m/s (380.58fps) 8mm steel.

Use different amount of wraps according to the thickness of the crystal cord, In this videos she does 7, then fishing line and six. Pull very tightly as your doing it. I haven't had any fail when done properly.

I highly recommend it.

My 260th post.

Salutations from Comrade Konrad.

 

[Hermit]

I'm doing fine Conrad. Excellent video - she makes it look so easy. I cut and made my very first band this morning and discovered I have more thumbs than I need! I was all thumbs for the first time around. Hardest part was after rolling the band material was getting it into the pouch. Finally I grabbed an awl to try and make the hole a bit bigger by stretching it out. After many attempts I finally got the band in the little hole. Used a GZK band tying jig - works like a charm. Installed bands on a Feihu. Works fine. Have a great day!

Rich

 

[Konrad]

Lol (laughing out loud), I went thru heaps of rubber before I had it all sorted. I use forceps or tweezers to pull thru the pouch hole. Good to hear hang in there mate.

 

[Trap1]

I also agree with the guys above, but I use the crystal string for the pouches, wrapped 7 times for a heavy band set, 4 or 5 for a light band, then tie a double square knot and cut the excess at the knot. I use the Amber Belt to tie to the slingshot.

Reed, Is your 'square knot' the the same knot I know as a 'reef knot'? Also, as Palmettoflyer mentions a 'double overhand knot' above depending where we are in this world this could also be the same knot depending how it's tied..mibbe just different terminology?

 

[StringSlap]

I also agree with the guys above, but I use the crystal string for the pouches, wrapped 7 times for a heavy band set, 4 or 5 for a light band, then tie a double square knot and cut the excess at the knot. I use the Amber Belt to tie to the slingshot.

Reed, Is your 'square knot' the the same knot I know as a 'reef knot'? Also, as Palmettoflyer mentions a 'double overhand knot' above depending where we are in this world this could also be the same knot depending how it's tied..mibbe just different terminology?

Reef knot is the same as the square knot. Double overhand is different. Very simple though. Check animatedknots,com

 

[Reed Lukens]

Yup, right thread over left, pull tight, then left thread over right, pull tight, then right over left again and cut the string as close as it can be cut, right at the knot.

 

[StringSlap]

Yup, right thread over left, pull tight, then left thread over right, pull tight, then right over left again and cut the string as close as it can be cut, right at the knot.

Exactly what I was doing with amber belt, with very good results. Been messing with the constrictor again and I think I got the correct pre-stretch and knot tightness down. So far very good results.

 

[Harry Knuckles]

I just found this video a few days ago. The last set I made using this method in the hope to increase band life. Has anyone else tried this?

 

[StringSlap]

I just found this video a few days ago. The last set I made using this method in the hope to increase band life. Has anyone else tried this?

That's probably the best amber belt method I've ever seen! If I'm not happy with my current method I will be trying that for sure!

 

[Reed Lukens]

I started off using the amber belt on the pouch, but I got some of the Crystal String in with my last order and you get a ton of it on the roll when compared to the amber belt. It stretches really well and is a lot lighter then the amber belt. Don't get me wrong... I can afford the buck for the Amber Belt, but it's the weight of it when compared to the Crystal String that made me switch. When I break a band it's usually an inch in front of the tie, so I'm not getting any wear from the string, its just the taper wearing out. I wrap the pouch 4 to 7 times with the string on doubled up heavy pull band sets and I'm shooting well over the 400fps range with as much power as I can handle on some of my slingshots. I use the amber belt to tie the bands to the slingshot and it does work great, but for the pouch, I'm sold on the string because less weight = more speed at the pouch.

 

[Trap1]

I also agree with the guys above, but I use the crystal string for the pouches, wrapped 7 times for a heavy band set, 4 or 5 for a light band, then tie a double square knot and cut the excess at the knot. I use the Amber Belt to tie to the slingshot.

Reed, Is your 'square knot' the the same knot I know as a 'reef knot'? Also, as Palmettoflyer mentions a 'double overhand knot' above depending where we are in this world this could also be the same knot depending how it's tied..mibbe just different terminology?

Reef knot is the same as the square knot. Double overhand is different. Very simple though. Check animatedknots,com

Thanks! A thought this wis a double granny knot one top of the other. It's no! Its similar tae some fishing knoats we use ower here! Guid site!.. some knoats I've no seen before. Will try it next time A'm oan bands.

Yup, right thread over left, pull tight, then left thread over right, pull tight, then right over left again and cut the string as close as it can be cut, right at the knot.

T

Thanks Reed..that'sa reef &a ½ tae me..which Iis exactly whit A've bin using with crystal string. A use just the ordinary reef or w&tuck with amber belt depending on hoo A'm feelin

 

[eaglerockdude]

I bought a few bags of pouches when I ordered some elastic, but the holes on the pouches seem really small. I suppose I could force a corner thru and grab it with tweezers, but I won't have much "play" to get the fold of the band really clean. Do I just have too small of pouches, ie are they meant for thin bands? I bought a few bands from Fowler and they are perfect. Or can i just make the hole bigger I suppose.

Also 2nd question. I bought a cutting board/band cutting template, but what is the best way to keep the latex from moving when your are cutting it? Is there a cutting board available that has a better "sticki-ness" to the latex so it does not slide around? The self healing matt I got from amazon was 5 star..but is there a brand someone could recommend...I feel like i need three arms/hands when I am trying to cut a really perfect band.

 

[StringSlap]

I bought a few bags of pouches when I ordered some elastic, but the holes on the pouches seem really small. I suppose I could force a corner thru and grab it with tweezers, but I won't have much "play" to get the fold of the band really clean. Do I just have too small of pouches, ie are they meant for thin bands? I bought a few bands from Fowler and they are perfect. Or can i just make the hole bigger I suppose.

Also 2nd question. I bought a cutting board/band cutting template, but what is the best way to keep the latex from moving when your are cutting it? Is there a cutting board available that has a better "sticki-ness" to the latex so it does not slide around? The self healing matt I got from amazon was 5 star..but is there a brand someone could recommend...I feel like i need three arms/hands when I am trying to cut a really perfect band.

Your mat is most likely fine. Try this... Hold the rotary cutter in a hammer grip with the blade pointing down. As if you were going to plunge a knife into the top of a box. Apply pressure straight down and make either a draw cut towards you (how I prefer) or a push cut away from you. Don't make the cut from side to side. I cut with my left hand, so I angle the top of the template slightly right in order to get good alignment for the cut. Hold the template with your other hand close to the band you are cutting and move it over as you progress. Watch your fingers! Place the rotary blade into the template straight down, not at an angle like if you were cutting a pizza. Remove it straight up. Make the cut with moderate downward force and in one smooth motion. Just be sure to pay attention and don't let the template move between cuts. You'll get the hang of it but unfortunately you may bugger up a few. Cut those into strips and use to attach bands to frames.

 

[eaglerockdude]

Thanks for the tip. Yeah...I was kinda cutting it like i do a pizza...And the cutter at an angle not directly over it but from left to right......I will try that technique thanks.

 

[Harry Knuckles]

When I cut with my template I always do 2 layers of latex. Just cut 2 sheets to the length you need and rub on a thin layer of water, when you press them together they stick pretty well. Then you cut your bans as per Stringslap prescribes. Keep the layered match sets organized because they will always be identical. I think GZK has a video somewhere.