90 replies to this topic

[smitty]

You guys better not quit ! Keep at it and you will find your way. Someone is always going to not like something they bought for one reason or another. Try to find out why they didn't like it and see if you can fix it if it is a real concern or ignore it if you feel strongly you are right about what you are selling.

[Guyhimmel]

start with taking pictures with a camera and not a dad rabbit's eye

[Dayhiker]

I might add that if you guys continue to be avid and adventurous shooters yourselves, you will develop a sort of "sixth sense" about what makes one slingshot better than another. Because there is no accounting for taste, this is hard to analyze, but here's an example of how you might go about it:

1. You said you think the Cougar you own is "more powerful" than yours. Okay, what does that *really* mean? How can one frame be more powerful than another? It can't. If you think about it, what you have sensed is probably that the Cougar, being made of steel, is *stronger* and would support a much stronger bandset than yours would (i. e., Joerg would probably break it in one of his vids). All you gotta do there is decide on how strong does a slingshot have to be, anyway? Making one out of steel really isn't necessary, but to get yours a little stronger, just use thicker wood, or multiplex.

2. You also said that you think your slingshot is "more accurate". Again, ask yourself: How can one frame be more accurate than another? As Harper said, a fork is a fork . The conclusion I have come to about this is that the *shape* of some forks is more suitable to the intended function than the shape of some other forks. Some forks favor hammer grip shooting, some can't be shot that way at all, and some can be shot any way you hold them. It's mostly a matter of comfortable grip over many shots plus good use of leverage.

I am constantly trying to come up with new designs. It's not easy to do without copying something of somebody else's. But you should be thinking two things: Form & Function, Form & Function, Form & Function.

To increase your knowledge about the function of a slingshot you must shoot as much as you can and in as many ways as you can. The more you shoot the more you will learn.

I want to encourage you to keep at it. You'll come up with the right formula, don't worry. It's not rocket science.

[USASlingshot]

Pelleter, the person who "inspired" me to make this does not own a slingshot. I simpily sent him a message saying hello and that I hope we could do buisness. He replied with "no, I can make slingshots that are much superior to yours." he then went on to say even for our low prices our slingshots are still a JOKE.

[ZDP-189]

Then don't take it to heart, (D)evan. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who wouldn't pick one of mine over a $5 wristbraced walmart slingshot, or who wouldn't buy one of the many excellent creations offered by the well respected forum vendors.

Make your slingshots for potential buyers, not people who would never buy from you anyway.

At the end of the day, you can learn from successful makers, but you have to have some degree of self confidence and individuality as it's the source of your creative energy.

[pelleteer]

Definitely. I wouldn't put any stock in such comments. For somebody to blow off your products like that without even trying them out is ridiculous. On the plus side, they did inspire you to start this thread, in which you've received lots of good advise, so at least some good came of it.

P.S. I agree, I'd like to see some larger pics. The SS3 especially is a really cool shape.

[USASlingshot]

yes, i want to see if devan wants to try laminate instead of regular boards. and possibly some cheaper exotic woods. I wont lie, this tread has opened my eyes to all of the possibilities that we have not been trying.

[USASlingshot]

JoergS, on 21 July 2010 - 01:35 AM, said:

Why don't you ask the resident master slingshot makers to create a design for you? Of course I am only talking about the guys that usually don't sell their slingshots.

I did that for Dankung, and they seem to be quite successful with the Cougar.

I could certainly design a boardcut with some special, unique features for you, or maybe even rwo (one for the hammergrip style, one for the index+thumb style).

Thank you very much. Me and my partner would be honored, your slingshot skill and creativity is amazing

[Brooklyn00003]

A fork can be less accurate if ; You use the fork to aim and it is a new slingshot of yours and the bands attachment at the fork is different from your old one .but its only less accurate until you get used to aiming with it ,this can take only several shots .It depends on how fast you learn and realize things.
By the way the person who said such a thing as your slingshots are a joke and ...... HE IS A JOKE !
He is probably not 15 like you so why would a adult hurt a kid?
Joerg's offer is very nice he is a realy good guy and doing so much for this community!

[shot in the foot]

Just a few words, keep it simple make sure they are well finished, and dont make a load untill you are happy with the design, and put a good size photo on, so the Likes of flatband and tex and a few of the others can tell you what they think, jeff

[USASlingshot]

Thanks. I think we are going to redesign our SS series and hopefuly make a few new slingshots, one with joerg if he's willing:)

[A+ Slingshots]

Keep your chins up boys.... any entrepreneur has to have thick skin, perseverance and and open mind. Working hard to do better and making good choices is also apart of it. You've come this far, why not go the rest of the way!!!

[Sam]

pallan65, on 21 July 2010 - 01:47 PM, said:

Keep your chins up boys.... any entrepreneur has to have thick skin, perseverance and and open mind. Working hard to do better and making good choices is also apart of it. You've come this far, why not go the rest of the way!!!

I was the critique lol, seriously though I don't know why anyone would buy one of your slingshots for $20, when you could get a PS-1 for $25 from Perry!

[Skit Slunga]

Sam, on 21 July 2010 - 01:50 PM, said:

I was the critique lol, ...

...and this coming from someone unable to shoot vermin even semi-accurately? I'm typically a "nice person" in general...but what you are saying is "unconstructive" in it's truest sense... putting it "nicely".

[A+ Slingshots]

Definitely NOT cool Sam
I'm glad you and others like my catties but not at the expense of trashing other makers (especially young men starting a business).
That really sets poorly with me. I value honesty but it should always be tempered with kindness.

[hawk2009]

USASlingshot, on 20 July 2010 - 08:52 PM, said:

yes, they are very powerful. when we killed the 2 pigeons our new SS3 put a clean hole into the pigeons chest. i think we will try to use better looking woods(possibly exotics) in the future

I use m.d.f. board cuts very plain but they are exremely strong,like board can only be they are very plain so I use a bees wax dark stain to give it colour,also give it a name,I have drilled some holes in a pattern to give it a bit more appeal.I also supply slingshots at my place of work for a knock down price and get feedback from them as to what they like and what they dont up to now all comments have been positive,I also get my familys opinion I sell mine on ebay and give them my youtube channel (4030bing)so they can see how these slingshots perform.Like the guys on this site have already said their are many slingshot designs and attatchment methods see what appeals to you give it your touch and see what happens

[USASlingshot]

sam, honestly when you said our slingshots were "a joke" it really mad me mad. You have never even held one of our slingshots and you still took it upon yourself to say that. you have confidence, thats a good thing to have but when you trash other peoples slingshot designs that takes it wayy past the line. i hope you realize that even though our slingshots are a joke now we are trying our best to improve our designs. and it's official we will be coming out with a new slingshot designed the the 1 and only Joerg Sprave! i can not wait

[hawk2009]

Yes I could not agree more Pallen,Sam these are two young men doing their best, constructive criticism is acceptable but you were down right rude you seem very opinionated and quick to critisize many people on this site,Question what have you done since joining this forum

[Brooklyn00003]

I am going to buy a lotto tomorrow. I just have the feeling .

[USASlingshot]

LOL, I'm fellin lucky to:) wish I was 18:(

[USASlingshot]

Guyhimmel, on 21 July 2010 - 04:40 AM, said:

start with taking pictures with a camera and not a dad rabbit's eye

you need some spell checkin brotha

[Performance Catapults]

Dayhiker, on 21 July 2010 - 05:33 AM, said:

I might add that if you guys continue to be avid and adventurous shooters yourselves, you will develop a sort of "sixth sense" about what makes one slingshot better than another.

This is where I would start. ^ ^ ^
Be a passionate enthusiast with shooting a slingshot. Let it burn in your heart and everything else will fall into place.

[Sam]

OK guys don't jump on me just yet, I just think that some times it pays to get a wake up call (In the top description he did ask for what we really think,) only yesterday I saw that you are already advertising on this website and even have a website of your own selling your slingshots - I just think you're going at this the wrong way round - when you're learning to swim you don't just dive straight into the deep end, unless you want to drown!

OK, so I may be brutally honest, but I am just that - honest. In order for people to be willing to part with their money you need to be selling something that represents value - at the moment you have nothing but grainy, 150 x 113 pixel photographs of what appear to be (from what I can see at least,) nothing anyone on these forums couldn't knock up themselves in 15 minutes.

Even if you do perceive me to be a haughty [insert suitable expletive here] I will still stand by my philosophy: it's a dog-eat-dog world and you've got a lot of extremely talented competition: Aplus, Bunnybuster, Fish, Cougar, Dankung, Martin, Flatband, etc who all have their own unique selling points, and for you to have any chance of even selling a hand full of slingshots, especially in this economic climate, you're going to need to find your own!

PS: I wish you only the best of luck with your endeavours and will happily help you out with your website (I'm XHTML & CSS competent.)

[bunnybuster]

Wow!
Such intellectual opinions from someone, who most likely, never attempted to make a slingshot. or someone that just likes to talk ,and be-little others that do.
Let us see some of your craftmanship.
You sir...are very Rude.
BB

[Dayhiker]

Sam, your message is loud and clear. But you cannot help but be impressed with the brotherly/fatherly tone of this forum, can you? And now you have joined into the true spirit here.
... Evan and Devan, take him up on his offer to help with your website. He's just blunt, he's not really a bad guy. I can tell.