7 replies to this topic

[mikeuk]

Hi all,newbie here and waiting on delivery of my first slingshot fromGamekeeper range. However looking at you peoples fabulous homemades has inspired me to have a go at making a natural. Could anyone advise on the best wood for this ? bearing inmind I'min the UK and a rookie !
Thanks

[mckee]

mainly stick to hard woods and fruit tree i would recommend
oak, ash, maple , chestnut, cherry, hazel, holly, beech and lots more!

[Jesus Freak]

[Hunter69]

as mckee said i think he pretty much covered a good natural all i would add is sycamore hawthorn Or Blackthorn.

Being in the UK the most abundant tree is the chesnut if you went to the woods 2moro you would see old brown long 6 to 8 inch leaves everywhere with sharp toothed edges and lots of the old spikey husks the chesnuts fall in you cant miss them , they do however make a very good natural but it splits very easily when dried slowly so best cut a fork leaving the limbs very long and leave for 6 to 12 months indoors to dry out then trim it to size as if it has split on drying it will in so far and stop so you can but off unwanted parts then they sand shape and stain very well if need be hope this helps. . . Deano

Edited by Hunter69, 06 February 2012 - 03:11 PM.

[Hunter69]

as mckee said i think he pretty much covered a good natural all i would add is sycamore hawthorn Or Blackthorn.

Being in the UK the most abundant tree is the chesnut if you went to the woods 2moro you would see old brown long 6 to 8 inch leaves everywhere with sharp toothed edges and lots of the old spikey husks the chesnuts fall in you cant miss them , they do however make a very good natural but it splits very easily when dried slowly so best cut a fork leaving the limbs very long and leave for 6 to 12 months indoors to dry out then trim it to size as if it has split on drying it will in so far and stop so you can but off unwanted parts then they sand shape and stain very well if need be hope this helps. . . Deano

Edited by Hunter69, 06 February 2012 - 03:12 PM.

[harpersgrace]

as said above, most hardwoods, fruit trees usually do well, I personally prefer oak, maple, and I also like silver brich.....dogwood and distant cousin to blackthorn is also a traditional fork making wood.

[mikeuk]

Thanks to everyone for the advice,much appreciated. When I get it done I will post a pic, even if it's just to show how not to do it lol
thanks again

[cedar hunter]

If it feels good in the hand and shoots straight it's a excellent sling shot!