No no no, when the Monkey Chain is in use, the bights are put through each other in sequence, and then for the final one, instead of a bight put through a bight, the bitter end is put through a bight, sealing off the sequence.  Before that sequence can be pulled out "like magic," the last bit has to be pulled back out of the final bight.

jrob24 wrote on Oct 27^th, 2008 at 6:46pm:


That would be my experience as well.  As yet I haven't used a sling longer than 40" to a side, but when I first made it I thought it sucked.  I generally use a 24" sling, but after some time getting used to it, the 40" started getting good distance as well.  I use it for baseballs, and am hitting almost out to 200 yards with them... still trying for that 200 yards, and I'll get it dangit!  I still use the same technique that I use for my shorter sling, but it is a much more sweeping motion.  It just takes time to get used to all that extra length.  Of course I'm sure the same would hold true of someone used to a 50" sling that tried to use one of my 24" ones.

Nuttin' wrong with my 6" dried bean sling

I have found that my 30" sling is about the limit at which it is comfortable for me to hold the loaded pouch out in front to begin a Figure-8 twirl.  If the sling is longer than that, I have to set my right hand back farther but then bring it forward to its normal position for the rotation.  That just doesn't work for me.

David Morningstar wrote on Oct 27^th, 2008 at 7:40am:


I took "throw at that point" to mean "release when the sling is going backwards at the top of the circle."
I guess you meant "make a throwing motion"? 

I've tried greek style but without much success, so mostly I swing it at a 45 degree angle above my head twice, then release it. For the next to days my goal is to use my longer ~60 cm sling to get a stone across the canal near my grandma's house (110 yards)

UPDATE: My best throw today was greek style.  

UPDATE 2: I've improved with greek style with both slings. My best throw today was between 70 and 80 yards, and this was with the wind against me 

Against my expectations greek style is now my favorite. I'm throwing golf balls 70 yards with a 22" leather pouch sling. I cut a hole in the center which helps keep the ball in the pouch until the release. I haven't done as well using several 45o wind up spins, so more practice is in order, if it wasn't so cold now.