Hello all.  I'm working with inner tubes, making my first slings.  I HAVE searched, but despite scattered references there isn't a good discussion of using bicycle inner tubes.  I would love to hear people's experiences with that as a material.

I have a few questions, but I don't want to narrow the discussion.  Can we get a knowledge dump here?

Thanks!

Jackparsonsproject wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 12:25pm:

Hello all.  I'm working with inner tubes, making my first slings.

This is the first I've heard of their use for slings. Do you have any pictures of how they are constructed?

I have heard of them used for the diana on a slinging target (reply #6 of this thread https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1683506649#:~:text=20%E2%80%9D%20bicycle%20inner%20tube.%20Blown%20up%20.%20Pretty%20cheap%20Diana%20for%20easy%20setup.).

.

@jackparsonsproject   _ I believe that  you have us confused with Slingshots.   Slingshots use a more or less forked frame and elastic bands to propel marbles, stones and such short distances.

What we're about here are Shepherds Slings or "David and Goliath" Slings which do not use any form of elastic materials.
With our slings, a pocket holds a golf-ball or larger projectile, and two cords to spin the projectile and gain energy, then by releasing one end of one cord, throw the projectile distances measured in yards. Many Yards

---

Blindsquirrel wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 3:59pm:

If I were going to try and use an elastic type material to braid a sling...

I'm not using it for cords, I'm using it for pouches. I changed the topic name to avoid confusion.

Jackparsonsproject wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 4:27pm:

Blindsquirrel wrote on Oct 26th, 2023 at 3:59pm: If I were going to try and use an elastic type material to braid a sling... I'm not using it for cords, I'm using it for pouches. I changed the topic name to avoid confusion.

StaffSlinger wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 4:25pm:

@jackparsonsproject   _ I believe that  you have us confused with Slingshots.   Slingshots use a more or less forked frame and elastic bands to propel marbles, stones and such short distances.

I just changed the topic name to specify that I'm talking about pouches...sorry for the confusion.  We are talking about the same thing.

Here is the beginning of a butterfly sling pouch from a bicycle inner tube.  I added that extra strip on the inside as reinforcement.

---

That makes more sense. How well does the material work / hold up to use?

Eino wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 8:36pm:

That makes more sense. How well does the material work / hold up to use?

First sling, but it feels pretty good to me.  The stressed part is reinforced and the tabs with the holes are glued so they are double.  I'll attach using Curious Ardvark's method where it will constrict the material instead of pulling out the hole.

Never used a sling before and the glue needs three days to cure (Shoe Goo).

Aussie sent me a pouch way back in 2007, but life happened and I never used it.  Saw some video on CNN of protestors in Beirut slinging rocks at the American Embassy the other day and decided to see if the forum was still here.  Sad to here that Aussie passed away.  I don't think Curious Ardvark was here in 2007, but he was a sad loss as well.  I've been looking at the forum for about a week now and his posts have helped a lot.

An Aussie pouch!?  What a treasure!  I was aware of the forum and would intermittently stop by to read when he was still around.  But I didn't join until a handful of years after he passed.  CA was a big loss too.  Very sad days when we lost those guys.

But on topic, the pouch looks good.  I'm thinking the material might be a little grippy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Once you're able to test it out, I'm curious to hear how you think it's working for you.

An Aussie sling is a treasure! I wish I would have asked him for one, but I didn't trade with anyone back then.  Glad to have you back again!

joe_meadmaker wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 10:26pm:

I'm thinking the material might be a little grippy

Actually, the inside of the inner tube are a powder white and almost slippery, not rubbery at all.  We'll see how it goes.  The bad thing is that I've never used a sling so I can't even evaluate my own experiment. 🤣🤣🤣

Jackparsonsproject wrote on Oct 26^th, 2023 at 11:20pm:

Actually, the inside of the inner tube are a powder white and almost slippery, not rubbery at all

If you need to make it grippier, you could cover the inside of the pouch in medical tape.

Good luck! :)

I’d be interested to see what actual bike tyres are like for a pouch material as opposed to the inner tube.
My guess is the eyelets will be a weak point that will wear out first . But an actual tyre would probably be indestructible with the fiber that’s already inside the rubber

It's interesting that there is a vague reference to using inner tubes in the old cliff savage book.
I have used bicycle tubes as pouches before was right up with pastic  to slippery for me. I prefer something that has more friction on the inside. Like leather or a good braided pouch.I feel it helps with accuracy

lobohunter wrote on Oct 27^th, 2023 at 3:57am:

I have used bicycle tubes as pouches before was right up with pastic  to slippery for me. I prefer something that has more friction on the inside. Like leather or a good braided pouch.I feel it helps with accuracy

I haven't seen a list of what is good design and what is bad design.  I've inferred a lot from offhand comments, but don't understand grippy vs slick pouches.  Joe was worried that it would be too grippy and you didn't like it because it wasn't grippy enough.  Can you explain a little?

That is good question
What I am talking about is the stone moving or rotating in the
Pouch
Some slingers this for either a spin or a more instant release
Or other reasons. I mostly sling at a shorter range with as muc
h power as I can muster
Slinging is often very intuitive  and different slingers have
Different objectives
Fine the Slinging kit that works for you and perfect it

@jack

If you watch this sling throw in slow motion, the projectile kind "sticks' to the pouch for a while after the release cord is released. It takes about 16 milliseconds for the cord to get out of the way of the stone before it is completely free from the sling.  Some slings will allow the stone to slip more than others. In this case, it is 'sticky' and starts the stone rolling which can actually stabilize the projectile and allow it to go straighter/further.

https://youtu.be/rEUM6-XarKM?si=RR_9upJZpaDTLU5B&t=5

Thanks, that makes sense.

I'm considering putting BDU material (military fatigues) on either side of the innertube.  That might be a better surface. The fatigues are lightweight, rip-stop, no stretch and abrasion resistant.  Gluing it on with Shoe Goo will probably leave the surface a little grippy.  I think the innertube is going to hold fine by itself, but that BDU material should make it practically indestructible.

I used bicycle inner tubings often to wrap handles and stuff and really liked the material. After some time however I noticed that when the material is exposed to day light and under some strain, it will quickly develop small rips and tears until it falls apart. Without permanent strain that might not happen, but it might be wise examining the pouch now and then.

Another option is cutting the inner tube into thin straps
And braiding a balearic style pouch
I did that once and was surprised it had very little stretch

Update:

I've moved on for now.  The innertube butterfly pouch actually worked pretty well but even doubled up I could easily pull the cord until the holes failed.  I ended up attaching it like a seatbelt sling and it worked pretty well.  I think there may still be some uses though.  It would be fine for a seatbelt sling and I'm considering using it as a backing for airbag material.  That airbag material is amazing, but it's too floppy so an innertube backing might make a good combo.

I got seatbelt material and I'm very happy with that for now.  Whenever I get around to trying the innertube airbag combo I'll update.  Probably not of much interest to many of you, but I like experimenting with materials that are basically trash.

Jackparsonsproject wrote on Nov 19^th, 2023 at 11:04am:

Probably not of much interest to many of you, but I like experimenting with materials that are basically trash.

It's interesting and very useful :)

Repurposing garbage into something useful is always a good idea, because it prevents waste and it allows you to make stuff for practically no cost.

I think stretchy pouches in general might risk snagging projectiles on release, but it could work if it's tough rubber.

I've recently been looking into waterproof alternatives for the leather covering used on balearic slings. PVC or PU leather is one option, but a tough rubber material may also work. The issue then would be the stitching holes tearing.

JudoP
Try airbag material.  It's made to withstand glass flying at high speed and it's got to do that really well or the manufacturer gets sued.

I had to cut the airbag out with a serated blade. It had some rips from that and my friend tried to grab both sides of the rip and tear it further.  No luck.  He's almost supernaturallly strong and had long enough pieces to get a good grip and he couldn't rip it through even one more thread. That stuff is almost bulletproof.  It's silicon coated nylon.  Airbags can't be reloaded so they are worthless trash after one use.  The junkyard didn't charge me for the airbag or the seatbelts.

I made one from my son's neglected bike tire.  I just used the seat belt sling method and it works just fine.  It's in a coat pocket somewhere, but as soon as I come across it, I'll see how well it endured two years of pocket lint.

I would use rubber cement to glue a thin canvas or denim on the back side so you get the grip but not the stretch. If you do that, it should hold an eyelet better too.

Eino wrote on Nov 19^th, 2023 at 11:34am:

Jackparsonsproject wrote on Nov 19th, 2023 at 11:04am: Probably not of much interest to many of you, but I like experimenting with materials that are basically trash. It's interesting and very useful :) Repurposing garbage into something useful is always a good idea, because it prevents waste and it allows you to make stuff for practically no cost.

…is it time to resurrect the trash sling challenge?  The worst material I ever  (successfully)used was cantaloupe rind 😂

https://youtu.be/NZk64NVig20?si=cRPxww2mSdk0tGiS

NooneOfConsequence wrote on Nov 29^th, 2023 at 8:18am:

…is it time to resurrect the trash sling challenge?

Ooh, yes, that sounds very fun! :) Great video, too.

@NooneOfConsequence - If you do, I'm in!

joe_meadmaker wrote on Nov 29^th, 2023 at 10:35am:

@NooneOfConsequence - If you do, I'm in!

The big question is when to do it…  maybe in the summer? Otherwise it gets in the way of SITH, Easter Egg, or Pumpkin challenges.

Oh man!  That could be it!  I've been trying to think of a "summer challenge" that could become a regular thing.  All the other seasons basically have something (as you listed off).  Yeah, I'm good with a summer one.

Could be catagories too. Prettiest sling made from trash, most accurate with a trash sling etc. Always enjoyed the trash slings.

Sounds like fun!

Trash sling 👍

Quick thought on inner tube sling.
They are lubricated in manufacture with talcum powder or similar.
To lose that slipperiness just wash it off and roughen the surface with sandpaper.
As to splitting the cord hole out, roll the tube over a "dowel" to spread the load.
👍😁

So I finally got a spare old tyre.
Early tests were promising.
Quite a nice material for a quick easy build

---

I'm going to have to find a bike tire once summer arrives.  I wonder how well one of those pouches would handle melting ice balls.