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Me and pear are haveing a lot of problems with our sling. One of the following will happen each time:
1. Our sling wont release and the arm will roate untill the end slams down on the projectite and shoots it backwars (acctully works well but backwards).
2. Our projectile will fall out of our sling before the time it's supposed to launch
3. Our sling wont release at the right time so the projectile just slams down on the ground.

Any sugestions? Sling material? Sling length? I'll take anytihng at this point!

brobo wrote:

alongusername wrote:Are we allowed to use a model kit with everything needed in it to build a trebuchet as long as the trebuchet fits in the guidelines?

Yes, I think it's actually mentioned in the rules that you can do that.

I would recommend instead you build the one in the wiki.
It takes $20 worth of supplies and will beat any small model kit.

Bubba1960 wrote:Me and pear are haveing a lot of problems with our sling. One of the following will happen each time:
1. Our sling wont release and the arm will roate untill the end slams down on the projectite and shoots it backwars (acctully works well but backwards).
2. Our projectile will fall out of our sling before the time it's supposed to launch
3. Our sling wont release at the right time so the projectile just slams down on the ground.

Any sugestions? Sling material? Sling length? I'll take anytihng at this point!

What are you using for your sling material?
I would recommend a lightweight cloth (like a T shirt) or even a net material.

Also, is your sling attached to your pin using a loop at the end or a metal ring?
Using a small keychain ring seems to work best and gives more consistant results

Im' doing both of those things and its still not working. I'm gonna try useing a leather sling though. My friends that are useing it say it works really well.

Bubba1960 wrote:Im' doing both of those things and its still not working. I'm gonna try useing a leather sling though. My friends that are useing it say it works really well.

First, I'm going to assume your pin length is somewhere around 30mm. I'm also going to assume you are using a 1" ring on the end.

If these are true, a heavier sling (from leather) will move around faster and (should) release earlier. You could also try putting a little extra weight on your ring to make it come off faster. It normally doesn't take much. We used a little duct tape to give it some extra weight.

Alright, thanks! 100th (non-spam) post!

wlsguy wrote: If these are true, a heavier sling (from leather) will move around faster and (should) release earlier. You could also try putting a little extra weight on your ring to make it come off faster. It normally doesn't take much. We used a little duct tape to give it some extra weight.

What is the ring on the sling? Also, why does putting extra weight on your ring make the projectile come off faster?

Extra weight will make it so the counterweight side of the arm weighs more, therefore propelling the projectile a further distance.

But isn't the ring attached to the end of the arm without the counterweight?

I believe is has to do with increasing the amount of (centrifugal?) force the ring has making it slide off the pin easier (). I'm no physicist, but I believe that is why you want to increase the weight of the ring slightly.