29 replies to this topic

[justplainduke]

This mod thread is mostly appearance, which is only second to function duh...
How do you take an awesome design and make it suit your personal needs without changing the design too much? well I didn't change the design which I consider next to perfect, instead I added some cosmetic changes that made me happier with the design.
So...I purchased the hathcock sniper from Bill and shot it a bunch to get the feel before any changes would be made. Let me add; Bill makes great slingshots and the target sniper is his less expensive production model, so for me elbow grease is cheaper than his custom shooters, which are aresome btw.
So, I started by sanding the frame to remove any production witness marks from the casting process using 220 wet/dry sand paper, then I went about carefully filing the tiedown grooves where the edges had softened in the casting process using a 0.25 rat tail file. Then I hand chamfered the holes and made the lanyard groove a bit more pronounced with the afore mentioned file. After I was satisfied that the finish was smooth and fit my hand perfectly, I re checked the sanded areas to be sure they were hatched enough to take the coating of rubber spray.
The first coat I laid down wet to get good adhesion between the plastic slingshot and the rubber spray, then after 4 or 5 light coats I moved the can farther away to get a light splatter effect to the entire frame for better grip and a cool appearance.
Tomorrow I'll post some pics of the snake knot paracord lanyard attached, and the thera bands installed.
I suggest that if you don't own one of these that you pick one up. Shoot it, mod it, or whatever, it's a fun slingshot, a great seller and a good price.

[NoSugarRob]

splendid work

[kobe23]

Don't rubber spray increase abrasion at the fork? I never used it before I don't know.

[Tex-Shooter]

Very nice Mod! -- Tex

[justplainduke]

kobe23, on 02 August 2011 - 06:15 AM, said:

Don't rubber spray increase abrasion at the fork? I never used it before I don't know.

Thank you for the question

So far so good; the idea of the surface area of the top of the un-rubberized forks is to add grip to the bands and take the negate the pull force directly from the tie bands as the latex or TB pull across the top of the fork, the pressure pulls the rubber down against the top of the forks, otherwise you would have an issue with the bands stressing the tie wraps and causing premature breakage.
If friction were an issue then you would see more band breakage at the forks on double bands; which I have not yet to hear.
I have so far used this spray with great sucess 600+ rounds on the Toucan in three days. (you can tell that I like shooting it now)
If this were to fail I would certainly post it as a learning experiance,
As you get to know me, you will learn that I strive to live free of ego and I only want to help; not gain credit or admiration.

Edited by justplainduke, 02 August 2011 - 09:17 AM.

[AaronC]

That looks great! Is the spray similar to Line-X truckbed coating?

[Northerner]

Nice work Duke. Do you shoot the Target Sniper with OTT attachment or TTF?

One more question. What is the measurement between the finger and thumb grooves? The attached pic shows where to measure. My pinch grip ergos are around 3 3/8" and I was wondering how the Target Sniper compares.

Thanks,
Northerner

Attached Files

•  30469ce5.jpg   135.09K   38 downloads

[justplainduke]

NightKnight, on 02 August 2011 - 09:39 AM, said:

That looks great! Is the spray similar to Line-X truckbed coating?

It's stickier like a quality coated shovel handle.
I LIKE the bed liner idea!!!!!!!!
I'll need to buy some and try it on one of my board cuts. I have just the one in mind

[justplainduke]

Northerner, on 02 August 2011 - 09:46 AM, said:

Nice work Duke. Do you shoot the Target Sniper with OTT attachment or TTF?

One more question. What is the measurement between the finger and thumb grooves? The attached pic shows where to measure. My pinch grip ergos are around 3 3/8" and I was wondering how the Target Sniper compares.

Thanks,
Northerner

I shoot OTT normaly but I may set it up TTF just for a change. I believe that Bill leaned towards TTF when he designed the wider forks.
As for the distance between the finger and thumb grooves.....I'm at work so I'll have to send the dimensions later tonight. Let me say that they were made for Bills BIG Texas hands.
I have large hands (XL glove size) and it's still a little stretch for me, (which does aid a bit in balance and bracing). I sanded it down and rounded it a nominal amount to gain a little more of a wraped grip.
I liked this shooter before and I think that i'm gonna Love it now, it's killing me that I had to wait for the rubber spray to cure overnight. (4 hours)

[fatboy]

Thanks Duke! I bought a can of Plasti-coat spray the other day for another task. Now there is another job on the to-do list.

[slingshot_sniper]

Good job that duke

[justplainduke]

Here is the completed Hathcock target sniper:

[wd40]

"And now I think I know what my father meant,

when he sang about a lost highway....."

Good garage art!!!

WD40

PS: Good slingshot modification as well. I like your contributions to our forum, Duke.

[justplainduke]

wd40, on 02 August 2011 - 07:02 PM, said:

"And now I think I know what my father meant,

when he sang about a lost highway....."

Good garage art!!!

WD40

PS: Good slingshot modification as well. I like your contributions to our forum, Duke.

Lost highway is surely my favorite Hank sr. Song by far. Almost a theme song sometimes.
Thank you for appreciating my input. It's nice having this forum and it's members to share with.

[Deltaboy1984]

Great looking mod.

[justplainduke]

justplainduke, on 02 August 2011 - 07:20 PM, said:

wd40, on 02 August 2011 - 07:02 PM, said:

"And now I think I know what my father meant,

when he sang about a lost highway....."

Good garage art!!!

WD40

PS: Good slingshot modification as well. I like your contributions to our forum, Duke.

Lost highway is surely my favorite Hank sr. Song by far. Almost a theme song sometimes.
Thank you for appreciating my input. It's nice having this forum and it's members to share with.

Here is some more of my lowbrow garage art:

[e~shot]

Good job

[justplainduke]

Yea, there's only one problem....with the ergonomic rubber grip, I can't put the darn thing down
With the solid grip, It's begging for HEAVY bands!!!
I have now created my new hunting frame!

Edited by justplainduke, 02 August 2011 - 11:24 PM.

[radray]

Duke,

You keep getting better at this! Good job my friend. The HTS is definitely a good shooting slingshot and I like it better after putting on Tex's Express Bands on them. Bill does know how to make a good slingshot, but your mod made his budget slingshot look premium. I will have to try this on my own HTS and the polymer Ranger as well. Thanks for sharing.

Raymond

[Charlie Cam]

where can i find the design for this it looks great??

[lightgeoduck]

Thats sharp,, I might have to do something to mine.. maybe do a rubber dip, like one does for tool handles?


LGD

[mckee]

good job

[NaturalFork]

That is a very good idea!

[justplainduke]

Thanks guys.

[Bob Fionda]

Good work I like it and good idea.