Here are some photos of a Big Shot or Rogue Sidewinder (See Swamp Fox's folding slingshot) sling shot pull and hold trigger system that I cobbled together. I've been using it for a while and it's held up well.

It combines a Wichard snap release from Sherrill with a nylon sleeve and Klemheist hitch pull and hold. The big snap attached to the sleeve allows the pear screw_link_ on the Wichard to be easily hooked up to the pulldown. The orange cord is the trigger release. The pulldown can be used on a sectioned or single length pole.

Once the Wichard is hooked up to the sleeve it can be pushed down the full length of an 8-foot slingshot pole with the assist of the arms and body weight pushing down from above. This means a person of less than average or average strength can tension a Big Shot well enough for very high throws.

Pulldown and release on Rogue Sidewinder, view larger photos





-moss

Is there ever a need for that much power on Big Shot? Are you guys climbing trees over 200 feet tall? Just wondering! Uhmmmmm..... I hope no one is ever hit in the face by one of those heavy _meta_l pieces.

I see the lower strap loop of the Big Shot is already ripping apart by so much tension. Suggest using a smaller weight and fishing line for those extra tall trees.

Originally posted by Oldtimer
Is there ever a need for that much power on Big Shot? Are you guys climbing trees over 200 feet tall? Just wondering! Uhmmmmm..... I hope no one is ever hit in the face by one of those heavy _meta_l pieces.

I see the lower strap loop of the Big Shot is already ripping apart by so much tension. Suggest using a smaller weight and fishing line for those extra tall trees.

Oldtimer! I'm surprised you have such low confidence in my safety awareness and technical abilities I've waited a year after first developing this to test it thoroughly and verify the safety of the release before making it public. I'll demo it for you at the Rendezvous. You can stand at a distance and watch with binoculars if it makes you feel better.

No _meta_l goes flying. When the Wichard snap release at the top of the system releases, only the slingshot pouch and rubber bands move upward, the "_meta_l" stays put and drops down a few inches. The taped "strap" holding the brass snap is just a positioner to hold the snap vertical to make it easy to attach the pear _link_ when loading the sling. The tape is not structural and is not bearing the tension of the sling. It is being stretched because the hitch cord which is bearing the tension is stretching a little and shifting the position of the snap upward slightly. The tape will be replaced with a small webbing strap but nothing happens if the tape comes off.

This is an extremely strong, redundant and safe system. I've fired it over a hundred times. The main advantage is that it allows people who are not muscle-bound arborists to use a large slingshot. And it allows anyone who uses a large slingshot to aim it carefully instead of struggling to hold the pouch down.

The tension on the slingshot can be set for whatever height is required whether it be 60 or 150 ft. I don't need to convince people who've used big slingshots of their usefulness. When you're in thick woods and there is absolutely no room to swing a thowbag by hand the slingshot can be used to shoot the bag through a narrow opening to reach a branch. For the tall white pine in woods in my area it is the only way that I can reach a solid TIP.

A hand slingshot or crossbow with fishing line and reel is a proven way to access high branches, the downside is that it is a 3-step process to install the line since you have to step up to a regular weight throwline after installing the fishing line over the branch. It is also difficult to see where the fishing line is in the canopy after you fire it up there. The small slingshot is very good when the most portability is required.

Hitting 79ft. TIP on first shot in white pine in woods.
The pulldown/release hardware drops down about 5" when the trigger is released. All of the energy goes up with the throwbag and sling rubber. There is no recoil in the release hardware, it just goes slack.

I've fired 12oz bags with it but it is overkill for most situations, the 10oz bag flies nice and comes down most of the time

Always wear eye protection and helmet when using large slingshots. The sling and hardware is positioned on the opposite side of the pole from the operator.



-moss

Hello Moss
I saw a similar set up that Dan House put on his Big Shot. He used only the lower release part similar to what you have on yours. He used a Horse panic release from his local store and it worked fine.
I was just giving you a hard time . I am glad that you guys are bringing the BShot to Colorado. I would like to borrow it a couple of times to get up on a tree somewhere while there. I do not use mine as much since the trees I climb are easy to reach by hand throwing. I agree that the BS is a great tool. One time my right arm was hurting and weak from my Arthritis acting up and the BS was a saver to reach my target . Definitely cuts down on effort by the climber. Keep up the creative ideas flowing!

Originally posted by Oldtimer
I was just giving you a hard time .

Got me Oldtimer. Since we're often discussing the differences between safe and unsafe climbing practices it's challenging to parse humor at times. Since I've already been embroiled in a few "safety" discussions in my time on the boards I'm probably overreactive. The thing with the big slingshots is that they are potentially very dangergous if operated incorrectly. A trigger system has to be very well designed to minimize additional risk.
-moss

hey moss,

Just a quick question. I think i may have overlooked something here.

Why don't you have the snap release connected directly to the brass snap hook and remove the pear marl all together?

I don't own a big shot myself but am trying to throw ideas around about making something of the like in my workshop, and love to see peoples different adaptations to theirs.

Cheers
Matt