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trades > survivalist > weapons > slinging

document updated 12 years ago, on Oct 3, 2011

There are a variety of ways to configure a comet sling.

energy regimes

There are several energy ranges that you can operate in. As you the energy increases, you have to boost the strength of other components.

Low energy — Traditional braided rope (ie. ≥ 2.0mm thick). Thick rope has high aerodynamic resistance, which limits sling length, and thus projectile weight.

Medium energy — Monofilament fishing line, ≤ 40lb test.

High energy — Braided Dyneema/Spectra fishing line, ≥ 60lb test.

WARNING: Though braided fishing line feels soft like sewing thread, don't let this fool you. Once you spin up your projectile, it acts like piano wire. It is factually stronger than steel. It WILL slice through your finger if you let it (a lesson I learned the hard way).

Do NOT attempt to slow down the spinning projectile by grabbing the line with your off-hand. This is an instinctual thing to do, but you will lose a finger doing that.

attachment to soup can

Low energy — A constrictor knot, backed up by a figure-eight knot.

Medium energy — A constrictor knot. For backup, tie a smaller constrictor knot, tied around a very short piece of rope.

High energy — Two parts: 1) A short piece of paracord, attached to the soup can with a constrictor knot + figure-eight backup, 2) fishing line spliced into the thicker rope.
The paracord serves the same purpose as a wire rope thimble — it's a way to make the termination point stronger.

handle / release mechanism

Low energy — A release knot, at most.

Medium energy — Wear leather gloves, and snake the line around your fingers a few times. If a release knot is needed, use a constrictor knot around a very short piece of rope.

High energy — A wooden-dowel handle, with a friction clutch release mechanism. (TODO: explain this in more detail)