The Marmoset TX (a slingshot)

[Metropolicity]

I hope this in the right spot, Enki told me so!

I wanted to show you guys what I have been doing for the last little while. I have been fascinated with target shooting for quite some time now and earlier this summer, I dove into the deep end with a brand new compound bow. I love it and I have friends who I can go shoot with. Then I discovered shooting arrows with a slingshot, then slingshots themselves.

I decided, like everything I wanted to learn, dive in head first and design my own slingshot, but Metro style WITH TECHNOLOGY!

This is a really long post, with detailed build stuff, so grab a cup of cocoa and a log and stay a while. This is the Marmoset TX (Target Executor), an iteration of my Marmoset design, it's complete with some cometic details, plexiglas pin sight and laser cut and engraved laminated construction.

This is under my new brand, Metro Grade Goods (website TBA) but I doubt I'll be producing these en mass with the insert and sight, they are far too much work to polish back up to clear.


Let's start with the digital pattern, I've already had the pattern made so I designed away to add a pin sight insert to be cut from 1/4" plexiglas. The three patterns are going to be sandwiched together.
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I started by laser cutting the plexiglas inserts, if these didn't work out, the whole project would have to be scratched and edited. I also cut out some round inserts, more on that later. The whole pin sight housing being made of plexi glass will allow light to be transmitted through itself to light it up like a big fibre optic.
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[/size]Then the rest of the layers cut out. ]See how the insert fits in. This dry fit is not the actual final product, the final has more cuts in it to accommodate some veneer.
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I don't have any pics of this one being laser cut, but here's the general idea:




[/size]The dry fit of the pin sight, I made two versions, a single pin and a second, three pin version. You'll notice the hole inside the second layer is smaller than the outside hole. More on this later.
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[/size]Then the gluing and laying up the inlays.



Wood glue for the wood parts and the plexiglas pin sight insert is superglued in place.




After it's all clamped down for 30 mins or so, I take it to the disc sander to face the outside curves (the image shows a different version, but the process is the same).




Rounding out the inside curves with an oscillating spindle sander.



Finger groove rounding.



All the edges are now faced.



Off to the router, a super sharp 1/4" carbide bit makes quick work of it.






I know I am going to be sanding for a bit so I turned my attention to the little round insert. Painting red nail polish on the back side of it, waiting for it to dry then wet sanding the face to 800 to reveal only the skull logo. This'll get installed last after the whole thing gets clear coated.



The 1/4 plexi gives a nice depth.



After, 100/180 foam block sanding, 400 and 800 paper sanding, the shaping is done. I polish the plexiglas insert with one of those nail polishing foam blocks (about 5000 grit).



Then I turn my attention to band attachment slot and hole. The lamination let me design a full 1/4" deep counter sunk hole to have a clean appearance when the tubes are installed. I round the bottom of the hole with a 1/4" round head bit to give the band some relief when it's pulled back under load.

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Sanding the slot with 120, 400 and 800 to smooth it out. Rubber doesn't like sharp edges.

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Throw some bands on it and shoot it a couple of times to make sure it's safe. The tubes are attached with a 'ball in tube' method. I like this the best as it looks the cleanest and if you have the right balls in the tube, it's pretty safe (always wear safety glasses when shooting!). I have some red tapered Chinese tournament style tubes coming in the mail, as well as some red micro paracord to make a nice lanyard. For now the green will do.
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[/size]This slingshot is designed to be shot sideways, I found this to be the most accurate because it takes windage out of the equation and you only have to worry about your elevation (a little less now thanks to the pin sight)

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[/size]My test shots with 1/4" steel balls at 8 meters, not bad! That's a sheet of typing paper, so I think the circle is 6" wide-ish.




To see the pins better, I painted the tip of it with nail polish. I used an LED to light it to show you guys, but it gave me an idea for a future version of this, maybe a Nocturnal Marmoset




After three coats of clear coat and then some more nail buffer polishing, the final product is something else.
















I hope you enjoyed this.


-Metro

[Mr. Whippy]

That is cool!

I'd love a shot or two on the proper way to hold that slingshot.  Love the sight!

[Metropolicity]

That is cool!

I'd love a shot or two on the proper way to hold that slingshot.  Love the sight!

To be held sideways






There is always a way, hack on!

[ducttapetech]

Wow! Great work metro!

sent from my mobile

[Mr. Whippy]

Ah!

I get it now, like a Lady Gaga dancer:



 

[Breezy12]

I look forward to seeing the Skinth that holds this slingshot... 

but seriously, this is some amazing craftsmanship. very nice work, Metro. 

impressive accuracy too! 

[sir_mike]

Looks real good.  I have thinking about getting a slingshot for almost two years now!  A little slow to decide on what one model to get, huh?  LOL

I also like the built in site deal, that is cool! 

[AlephZero]

What the hack?!?!

Oh sorry...


That is seriously mean looking slingshot!

Absolutely stunning work as usual, Metro!

[Metropolicity]

Looks real good.  I have thinking about getting a slingshot for almost two years now!  A little slow to decide on what one model to get, huh?  LOL

I also like the built in site deal, that is cool! 

haha. I only got into slings about a month or so ago and I have already found what I like and didn't like, so I made my own!


The pool is REALLY deep but there is a lot of info out there, and you really have to try out stuff to find out what you prefer. I mean, you can easily get a wrist brace model from a hardware store for $15, I quickly out grew those, I didn't like the feel of them.

I much prefer the Chinese sideways, finger and thumb brace method than a hammer grip. As proven by my own Marmoset design

[Aloha]

as per usual coming from you ....... PURE AWESOMENESS.   

[detron]

@Metropolicity  Awesome, no surprise there, but it needs repeating!

everyone else, If I manage to miss the release on these or the mentioned future website,    me.

this looks great!

[Metropolicity]

@Metropolicity  Awesome, no surprise there, but it needs repeating!

everyone else, If I manage to miss the release on these or the mentioned future website,    me.

this looks great!

I haven't released them yet, just making them for fun.


I have a dozen or so regular, non-sighted, board cut versions:

[sir_mike]

Looks real good.  I have thinking about getting a slingshot for almost two years now!  A little slow to decide on what one model to get, huh?  LOL

I also like the built in site deal, that is cool! 

haha. I only got into slings about a month or so ago and I have already found what I like and didn't like, so I made my own!


The pool is REALLY deep but there is a lot of info out there, and you really have to try out stuff to find out what you prefer. I mean, you can easily get a wrist brace model from a hardware store for $15, I quickly out grew those, I didn't like the feel of them.

I much prefer the Chinese sideways, finger and thumb brace method than a hammer grip. As proven by my own Marmoset design

I did get to the point where the style I like is the style you made.  The issue I was having to the point that I never bought one was the rubber bands.  Man, which ones to use?  Flat or round?  What size to get? etc.

Drove me even crazier than I already am but I will bite the bullet one of these days! 

[Metropolicity]

I did get to the point where the style I like is the style you made.  The issue I was having to the point that I never bought one was the rubber bands.  Man, which ones to use?  Flat or round?  What size to get? etc.

Drove me even crazier than I already am but I will bite the bullet one of these days! 

It's kind of personal thing, and sling shots are kind of like recurve bows in a lot of ways. They can be crafted pretty easily, you can cut your own bands.


The BEST slingshots are powered by Theraband, which you have to learn how to tie on the pouches and onto frames. The lightweight flat rubber is perfect for launching steel balls.


However, it's a personal preference. I like Chinese tubing because it's a very easy draw, and easy to attach. They are consistent and usually have a smaller fork.


Do some research, as I am sure you have, but there is way of knowing until you hold one in your hand.

[Syph007]

I'm confused and intrigued at the same time!  Never seen anything like this before.   

I haven't used a slingshot since I was a kid, but boy was that alot of fun back in the day.  I used to bird hunt with one of those ones with the wrist brace. Fun times.

[sir_mike]

I did get to the point where the style I like is the style you made.  The issue I was having to the point that I never bought one was the rubber bands.  Man, which ones to use?  Flat or round?  What size to get? etc.

Drove me even crazier than I already am but I will bite the bullet one of these days! 

It's kind of personal thing, and sling shots are kind of like recurve bows in a lot of ways. They can be crafted pretty easily, you can cut your own bands.


The BEST slingshots are powered by Theraband, which you have to learn how to tie on the pouches and onto frames. The lightweight flat rubber is perfect for launching steel balls.


However, it's a personal preference. I like Chinese tubing because it's a very easy draw, and easy to attach. They are consistent and usually have a smaller fork.


Do some research, as I am sure you have, but there is way of knowing until you hold one in your hand.

Yeah, done alot of research but like you said, the rubberband thing is quite a personal preference so no matter what slingshot maker I found, each had their own preference to what they use/recommend.

I cant find anywhere where I am at to be able to hold one!  Only online sellers/makers!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Nice looking slingshot mate

Looks like my Pocket Predator, and the ergos on that are great

+1 on the tubes! I've snapped way to many flatbands for my liking, give me some decent 5080's any day

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk now Free

[enki_ck]

Very nice looking and informative thread. Thanks for posting. I haven't shot a slingshot in about 20 years but you're making me wanna try getting one again.

[Metropolicity]

Very nice looking and informative thread. Thanks for posting. I haven't shot a slingshot in about 20 years but you're making me wanna try getting one again.

It's so funny, I never shot one as a kid! I was playing with power tools and look where it got me. 

[enki_ck]

Very nice looking and informative thread. Thanks for posting. I haven't shot a slingshot in about 20 years but you're making me wanna try getting one again.

It's so funny, I never shot one as a kid! I was playing with power tools and look where it got me. 

There's a big forest about a 20 minute walk from my house so I grew up building treehouses there with my friends, making bows and arrows, slingshots and learning how to shoot them. Oh, and woodworking since I can remember. SEE HERE. That's why I like this tread so much.

[Chako]

I just got into slingshots myself. I bought 3 animal carved slingshots for a wall decoration...then got into thinking of maybe trying it out. Last week, I bought two. a Barnett Black Widow, and a Barnett cobra. I just ordered a Barnett Diablo Pro online. Looks like I might be starting a small slingshot collection.

Yours looks awesome.

[Metropolicity]

I just got into slingshots myself. I bought 3 animal carved slingshots for a wall decoration...then got into thinking of maybe trying it out. Last week, I bought two. a Barnett Black Widow, and a Barnett cobra. I just ordered a Barnett Diablo Pro online. Looks like I might be starting a small slingshot collection.

Yours looks awesome.

Make yourself a catch box and go to town!


There is always a way, hack on!

[JAfromMn]

I also bought a petty decent slingshot a few months ago.

I need to buy more ammo and a catch box.

I've never seen a sideways slingshot like that very cool metro

[derekmac]

That is really cool looking!  I really don't have much of an interest in slingshots, but having something like that to hang on the wall in the garage would be cool.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm on the road at the moment so I may have missed something.

Please send me a PM with price on one of these if any are left.

Def

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk now Free

[Metropolicity]

I'm on the road at the moment so I may have missed something.

Please send me a PM with price on one of these if any are left.

Def

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk now Free

Don't worry, nothing has gone up for sale... Yet.

I'll save one for you (a little less fancy tho)




There is always a way, hack on!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Depending on price I may need two.  My father could probably enjoy one of these too!

Def

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[Metropolicity]

Depending on price I may need two.  My father could probably enjoy one of these too!

Def

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10']now Free[/url]

Sweet. I think given the techniques, finishing method and likely hood of including a band set, it could be $40 per.

The best way of shooting this is using a paracord wrist lanyard and just bracing the slingshot like a bow, not really gripping it. Torque free semi open palm technique *kungfukick*

[detron]

I can see me getting one of these.  it looks great

[Chako]

Sign me up for one as well when you get around to it...if possible.