This Skyblaster Slingshot will lob water balloons over 150 feet, shoot up to three balloons at a time, and wreak havoc in your next water fight!
30
SKYBLASTER SLINGSHOT
SAFETY KEY:
+ Use outdoors
WARNING:
The balloons hit hard enough to leave welts, and using a person as a target is not advisable.
SKILL LEVEL:
EASY
INTERMEDIATE
ADVANCED
APPROXIMATE TIME:
2 hours
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
+ ½ -inch PVC tubing
Two 1¾ -inch pieces
Two 2-inch pieces
Four 5-inch pieces
Two 10-inch pieces
+ Sprinkler fittings
Two ½-inch PVC slip clip
Two ½-inch PVC tees
Two 1½-inch 90-degree PVC elbows
Four ½-inch 45-degree PVC elbows
+ PVC quick-dry cement
+ 50-inch resistance exercise band (with handles)
+ Disposable pen
+ Spray paint or duct tape
+ Zip ties
+ Water balloons (for ammo)
PRO TIP: These adapters are all standard, and should be available at a home-improvement store or sprinkler-supply outlet near you.
LET’S BEGIN
BUILDING YOUR FRAME
1. Once your PVC tubing is cut to size, dry-fit the pieces together before gluing, using the images in this project as a reference for the shape of your frame.
2. Use PVC quick-dry cement to glue the parts together except for the two inside five-inch tubes.
3. Customize your bow frame with spray paint or duct tape.
4. Use scissors to cut off the resistance-band handles and pull off the foam exteriors. Twist the foam grip onto each of the two five-inch tubes.
5. Glue the two five-inch tubes onto the frame to complete it.
ADDING YOUR SLING
1. Connect the ends of the fifty-inch workout band to make one rubber circle. To do this, take apart a plastic disposable pen. Cut two to three inches off the barrel of the pen and then use a scissor blade to score 45-degree markings up and down the sides. Push both sides of the pen into the ends of the tubing until a circle is formed.
2. To add your launching pouch, cut duct tape into four strips that are eighteen inches long and four strips that are fourteen inches long. Connect your four longer strips together by overlapping them horizontally, giving you a nice wide piece of duct tape fabric.
3. From the edge, measure the following marks: five inches, two inches, four inches, two inches, five inches. In the center of each of the two-inch marks, place the fourteen-inch pieces of duct tape facedown and press them into place, leaving you with a four-inch section in the center and five inches on either side. Wrap the excess ends of the fourteen-inch pieces around to the back side and press smooth.
4. Bring back the big rubber band and stretch it sideways, so the band lies exactly on top of the black strips, making sure that the pen-tube connection is in the center. Attach the band by folding the duct tape over the band and securing it in the center of the circle.
5. Grab the last two strips of duct tape. Fold one of the strips lengthwise into thirds. Wrap the other piece of tape around it to strengthen it.
6. Cut two slits in the center of the pouch two inches from either end. Weave the tape strap through both holes. Trim the ends of the strap so when folded in toward the middle, they meet the edge of the handle in the center. Secure with tape.
ATTACHING THE LAUNCHER TO THE BOW
1. Line the ends of the tubing up with the grooves in the tips of the bow. Stretch the rubber down as hard as you can, rocking it back and forth so it slips inside the groove. Use a four-inch zip tie to pinch the tubing tightly together. Repeat for the other side.
LOADING AND FIRING
1. Load your slingshot by placing a water balloon in the pouch while it’s facing upward.
2. Pull back to lock onto the balloon, then fire when ready. With only a bit of effort, you will be able to send balloons high into the sky and up to 150 feet away. To get the best leverage, try shooting it like a bow. As you practice, your shots can get incredibly powerful and impressively accurate as well.
ALSO TRY: If you don’t feel like getting wet, forget the water balloons and try shooting Sky Ballz (chapter 13) instead!
READY FOR BLASTING! This extreme slingshot only costs about $10 in materials, and is also durable, customizable, and powerful. It’ll give you an edge over the competition while you’re defending and dominating in your next water fight!
FUN FACT: Slings have been used for millions of years, but the slingshot is relatively new on the scene. Developed in Russia, the slingshot became popular with children, as they could be easily made from wood and rubber inner tubes.