Hello,

First I want to say, I am impressed with the consistent activity of this group. I feel that there is a lot to be learned here. I have been reading you forum for a number of months now and have found it entertaining to read and very informative.

A little about myself:
I have been learning instinctive Archery for two years now, and have a very strong interest in learning more ranged arts. I was originally trained in the use of the sword, mainly Italian Rapier (Capo Ferro), and some German Long Sword.  I daddled in knife throwing for a number of years, but it isn’t nearly as romantic as slinging.

I always had a passive interest in the sling. I would think about it while on the range, and talk to my friends about the ancient art often, but never actually did anything about it. I get pretty excited about my projects and have to focus sometimes, so I could not devote much time to actually learning to sling, until now.

I am planning a water balloon war for this coming summer, my original thought was constructing small traction trebuchet’s for the job, but it seems like the logistics of this may become difficult, and most importantly costly. Then I discovered the staff sling. I have built myself a staff-sling capable of lobbing grape fruit sized water-balloons approx, 135 ft (based on rough foot pacing calculations). I have no idea if this is a considerable distance or if I am falling short.  I am open to any sort of advice anyone here is willing to give. I am excited about learning how to sling, and hope that I can fit in around here.

Welcome to the forum Unsapien
As for launching water baloons there's some devices with rubber bands or tubes that work like a slingshot. I also found a device that used copressed air, but it's range was short compaired to the mega slingshot device wich claimed over  250-300 yards. I think there are several brands, here is one:
http://www.slingking.com/ ; so you can get an idea of how it would work.
use google or any other search machine to find other brands

Thank you for the warm Welcome Zorro. I have seen those products before and those sling shots look like alot of fun, but I wanted to make something myself, and then use it.

I was actually hoping to work on a design that was simple and effective enough, that I could get a group of my friends together and have them build their own.

There's a certain feeling of pride, and community when you build something yourself, and share it with your friends that I just don't see happening with those launchers. Thank you for the thought though. It's a great idea, but I wanted to make the thing myself rather than buy it.   

Hi and welcome
Just for intrest which side would you join slingers or archers?

water ballon war huh? if i lived near you I would drop by!

welcome!

Welcome Unsapien. Try using two balloons one inside the other. This should give you enough strength for a good toss.

Thanks again for the warm welcome!
Bigkahuna that's a idea good idea I'll try that next time I take it on a round for testing.

Tint, that sounds great! It does seem that stones go plenty far. I was able to send a stone hurling over a fair distance myself. (I didn't measure, went clean over or into a large body of water)

I do not have any measurments with me as of right now, but I plan to measure, and scale my gear out soon. I will have diagrams and pictures soon.
                          
And thanks again, I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful slingfest!

welcome to this wonderful forum
I don't think It as a swarm as a invasion of lurkers lol
welcome all