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Most modern slingshots consist of a steel Y-shaped body with two bent tubular arms, to which a round elastic band is securely attached. If your slingshot band breaks or the rubber wears down over time, you’ll have to replace it with a new one. This is a quick and easy task that you can do with a knife and some isopropyl alcohol. You can order a replacement slingshot band online or buy one at a brick-and-mortar sporting goods store. Soon enough, your slingshot will be ready for action again!
Steps
Removing the Old Band
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1Cut through the band where it sits on one of the slingshot’s arms. Use a sharp knife to make a vertical cut where the band sits on the vertical part of the slingshot’s metal arm. Slice the band horizontally where it sits on the horizontal tip of the arm.[1]
- Try to cut just deep enough to slice through the slingshot band without scratching the metal arm underneath it.
- A pocket knife with a serrated blade works well for this, but you can use any sharp blade you have available. For example, an X-ACTO knife or a boxcutter would also work.
Warning: Be careful not to cut yourself whenever you use a sharp knife. Never cut towards your hands or any of your body parts.
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2Pull the old band off one side of the slingshot. Hold the slingshot firmly in one hand. Use your other hand to pull the sliced band off the arm of the slingshot.[2]
- You don’t have to be gentle or try to preserve the band in any way. Just pull and tear the band off the arm.
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3Repeat the process for the other side of the band. Slice through the band where it sits on the other arm of the slingshot. Rip it off the arm and discard it.[3]
- If you haven’t bought a replacement band yet, you can keep the old band to use as a reference when you’re shopping for a new one, if you want the same style of band.
Putting on the New Band
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1Purchase a replacement slingshot band that fits your slingshot. Visit a sporting goods store or search online using keywords like "slingshot replacement band" to find a new band. Buy the band at the store or order it online when you find one that you like.[4]
- Slingshot bands come in standard sizes that fit most slingshots. A normal band will cost you about $5 USD, while something like a high-velocity band can cost around $10.
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2Pour about 1 in (2.5 cm) of isopropyl alcohol into a cup. Open up a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and pour it in a cup or mug. The alcohol is for lubricating the slingshot arms, so that you can actually slide the new band onto them.[5]
- Isopropyl alcohol is the recommended lubricant for this process because it is slippery enought to let you slide the band onto the arms, but will evaporate and dry up quickly, leaving the band securely attached to the arms.
- The higher the percentage of the alcohol, the faster it will dry after you put your new band on your slingshot. Use at least 70%-strength isopropyl alcohol. Use 90-99%-strength alcohol for the best results, if you can find it.
Warning: Never use oil or grease as lubricant on your slingshot because it won't evaporate or dry up and the band will just slide back off when you try to use the slingshot.
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3Dip one slingshot arm into the cup of alcohol. Plunge the arm on one side of the slingshot all the way to the bottom of the cup. Swirl it around in the alcohol for a second.[6]
- You can also splash some rubbing alcohol in your hand and rub it onto the slingshot arms.
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4Push one side of the new band all the way onto the lubricated arm. Slide the band all the way onto the horizontal tip of the arm. Pull it down the vertical part of the arm as far as it will go.[7]
- Work fast after you lubricate the slingshot arm, so that the alcohol doesn’t drip off or dry up before you can get the band on.
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5Repeat the process for the other side of the slingshot. Dip the other arm of the slingshot into the cup full of alcohol to lubricate it. Push and slide the other side of the slingshot band all the way onto the arm until it won’t go any further.[8]
- It’s important to put the band all the way on the arms, past the bend in the arms, so that it will stay on securely when you use the slingshot. Don’t ever just slide the band onto the tips of the arms.
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6Wait 24 hours before you use the slingshot. This allows all of the alcohol to evaporate and dry up. The new band will be firmly stuck onto the slingshot’s arms after this.[9]
Warnings
- Be careful when you use a knife to cut the old slingshot band off. Cut away from your fingers and other body parts.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Don't use oil or grease as a lubricant to slide a new slingshot band onto your slingshot. It will just stay slippery and the band will slide back off when you pull on it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You’ll Need
- Slingshot
- Replacement slingshot band
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Knife
- Cup
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuN3ksmRkI&feature=youtu.be&t=75
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuN3ksmRkI&feature=youtu.be&t=90
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuN3ksmRkI&feature=youtu.be&t=100
- ↑ https://outdoorswarehouse.com.au/products/Marksman-Tapered-Slingshot-Bands.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuN3ksmRkI&feature=youtu.be&t=165
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuN3ksmRkI&feature=youtu.be&t=180
- ↑ http://www.josephoster.com/slingshot_repair/
- ↑ http://www.josephoster.com/slingshot_repair/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuN3ksmRkI&feature=youtu.be&t=240
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