chisler 90 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 How do, my previous catapults have all been made from mother natures natural stock, I decided to have ago at one from scratch, went to my local builders merchant and they wanted silly money for a minimum 4' x 4' sheet of 18mm multiplex ply, so I had a root about in one of my sheds and found this piece of oak 3/4" thick. Back in the 80's a mate of my Dad's was getting rid of an old 1940's solid oak 'Utility' wardrobe, at the time my dad's hobby was clock making, he made 2 grandfather clock cases and 3 wall mounted bracket clocks out of it, I remember him saying it was the best wood he had ever carved. Well he was right, it's bone dry, hard but crisp to carve, really enjoyable to work. Once finished it sat comfortable in my hand, however once I'd banded it up and it was under tension it didn't feel quite right, so I added a palm swell (hopefully that's the correct term). it now fits my hand like a glove, shoots lovely with no fork hits (yet). The finish is not 100% perfect but it's my first so hopefully I will improve on the next one. Cheers Chisler Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.338winmag 78 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Look's all right to me ,hopefully yah can post some pic's of game yah get with it this year . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisler 90 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Sure will do, once I feel confident with my shooting accuracy to kill cleanly, then woodies and tree rats look out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cattykid123 122 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I bet you could make a few quid selling them mate there defiantly works of art Quote Link to post Share on other sites
youcanthide...BANG 1,051 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Watch it mate solid boards aren't ideal for catties at all due to the grain. You need to laminate it so you have a difference in grain. Boardcuts easily snap seen it too many times. Best bet is working an oversized fork 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisler 90 Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 On 31/05/2015 at 23:09, youcanthide...BANG said: Watch it mate solid boards aren't ideal for catties at all due to the grain. You need to laminate it so you have a difference in grain. Boardcuts easily snap seen it too many times. Best bet is working an oversized fork Thanks for the advice, I will take on board what you say, re-thick time for the next one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisler 90 Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) I've got a plan now for my next one, had a root about in my air plane modeling box and I have a selection of various thicknesses of Miralite ply, 1mm- 1.5, 2mm & 3mm all Birch 3 ply. I will sand-wedge the oak between possibly the 2mm and go from there. Sincere thanks to 'youcanhide' for giving me the heads up on the possible danger, I'm ugly enough without a scar from a catty failure on my face. cheers Chisler Edited June 1, 2015 by chisler 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobcullen79 1,495 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 On 01/06/2015 at 14:42, chisler said: I've got a plan now for my next one, had a root about in my air plane modeling box and I have a selection of various thicknesses of Miralite ply, 1mm- 1.5, 2mm & 3mm all Birch 3 ply. I will sand-wedge the oak between possibly the 2mm and go from there. Sincere thanks to 'youcanhide' for giving me the heads up on the possible danger, I'm ugly enough without a scar from a catty failure on my face. cheers Chisler He took the words out my mouth. If you dont fancy ply, and if you can get thin enough oak boards or you have a way to half them. One placed on top of the other at a 90 degree angle will work too. (the way youve put your palmswell on.) Nice work by the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonnie bravo 572 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 That's lovely mate, can't wait to see a first blood pic with that. You should put flat latex and a brown pouch on that, would look well rustic 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blackbriar 8,569 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Nice work, mate. The learning curve is steep, but you're well on the way up it ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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