Stabyhoun wrote on Jul 9^th, 2024 at 4:03am:


Same here.  I keep it simple.

To resize I use MS Paint.  It's a small program that doesn't use a lot of computer space.

Stabyhoun wrote on Jul 10^th, 2024 at 4:08am:


OK so this is more good advice thank you. Currently still making my 6-string so pulling that one as tight as possible; saw a tutorial that one can hammer on it later to make it looser (?) so I've made it VERY tight this first time around and then pulled to make the braid more consistant. Pouch turned out pretty well; seems it was easier to do with 2x 3-braids than the 4-strand versions (no knots/melting needed). Now braiding towards the end.

^So I know I wrote above that I should lurk a bit more and watch a few more tutorials etc first... Well I actually have been doing that today and not found relevant information so have to ask this, because getting close to finishing it don't want my first 6 braid to turn out crap and because making it with a double fingerloop is unlike what I've seen other people do (so can't find a tutorial that's relevant here), what are some very general rules to follow?

Based off of what I've NOT seen online thus have two main questions rn:

1. Is it OK to keep it a 6-string flat braid all the way to the top or SHOULD I splice out two of the strings to make the release cord lighter (other instructions have shown splicing the two extra strings out but in those cases they weren't added to the beginning of the sling like I have done)? Pros/cons of this? Advantage to 4-string is that I wouldn't have to do the MW-knot again rn (until learning it properly) and that I could make the end knot smaller (seem to prefer lighter release). Advantage to 6-string idk.

2. The double knot to end... What ARE the pros/cons? It'd add SOME heft to the downstring but idk if that's good or not (?). The traditional slings obviously become thinner towards the end.

I THINK (again not much experience) the round braids are preferable because I don't "feel" them turn when they cross the shoulder; but maybe feeling that turn is a good thing idk? I THINK the turn won't be felt as much anyway because the loop-part down to the knot has been made longer, so it swings more freely, but if I do a double knot I'll have a section of loose strings towards the ends too to match the end (or I could braid those round ofcourse?) .

This is the current progress (before deciding on how to finish; used paint to resize image (2x -50%) as per suggestion above thank you Rat Man). No "smile" on this one noticably, didn't know how to do that with a 3-strand and while alone, but will try to buy cheap clamps and make one next time; this'll be for tennis balls only so all good they should not slip through:

IronGoober wrote on Jul 10^th, 2024 at 10:35am:


Thanks again for all the useful tips; thank you everyone who's been giving input and useful direction.

Yeah I think I prefer round braids too (these possible to make as well with 5-6 strings to make them thicker?). Pouch orientation seems to matter less. As per my introduction have a lot of experience with juggling and that especially involves diabolo/yoyo so don't seem to be a problem to tell wether or not a string is twisted based off of feel alone. 😉

Just finished current project up (I think; will do some more test swings first and not do the mistake of cutting string before being certain this time. Can't test it outside yet because the weather is terrible). Have seen advice about sewing leather on the pouch or waxing it (guess to make it last better?) but don't have leather available rn and no wax so this'll probably be it for this one for now. Don't think tennis balls will wear it out that quick (?).

Went with just dropping the green strings on the back of it right before the knot and then doing a TIGHT turk's head as close to the braid as possible, some open string and another turk's head. Then figure I can burn the green ones close to the knot to not have them come undone. Thinking the open strings between the end-knots will be enough to make it swing well. Just doing test swings without releasing it feels REALLY good; better than anything I've managed to make before. For a first 6 strand am very happy with it. Finger loops quite uneven, to be expected perhaps due to them being an experiment, but the thicker one on the middle finger seems to work.

The ending is usually the problem; tend to get impantient and want to cut string early before being sure. This sling feels REALLY good to swing though so don't want to make that mistake again (especially the pouch; normally feel some tendency of the projectiles slipping but not here just super secure).

Also see that I WAY overestimated the string needed for a 6 strand as picture shows. Guess knowing the amount of material is something that will come with more experience. Hopefully pieces left aren't too short to use for future pouches. If they are they'll serve as practice for knots anyway. Need to learn that MW knot.

Next project will be a 4 strand with an open snake knot fingerloop (to see what it feels like to have a more open knot vs closed one) inspired by one of Road Dog's tutorials. Will hopefully be able to make a better pouch this time too with the rockman tutorial I was directed to. Again thank you everyone for all the tips. More updates (and dumb newbie questions) to come probably. 

Stabyhoun wrote on Jul 12^th, 2024 at 5:37am:


Thank you. Yup today's weather for it finally so am going to the beach to test the slings made before the 6-string. Cool; don't want to wreck the 6-strand immediatley. Need to learn to make it better so am going to try the braided single loop that I saw in tutorials. Also need to get "sinew" for crackers. Didn't know how to spell that before, though heard it in a video, but saw the name on this forum so very helpful.

Do you happen to know if there's a tutorial on an adjustable single loop knot? I have seen a tutorial using a turk's head knot that was running separate on the sling (so I guess tied afterwards) that slid up/down but that wouldn't be tight I imagine. Is there a design out there that does that (adjustable single loop)? Have been just folding the double loop over before but would be nice to learn something new.

Here's the progress on the sling I started yesterday. MW-knot I still THINK I have issues with (?), because I don't move any strings "up" like the tutorials said, but it spirals and LOOKS right so idk. 🤷‍♂️ Was able to braid in the extra strings better this time. Now to either look at that rockman tutorial to see if I can make the zig-zag pouch better (or do a 3-braid again).

Thanks again for all the help.

Edit because I forgot to resize the image. Does that MW look right? Dk what I'm doing "wrong" (?) but to me no strings need to move up; it still looks like a spiral (much more comfortable with the turk's head but like the look of this one). 🤷‍♂️ Loop is GIANT, way overestimated the snake knots needed (had not done those before; thought they were TIGHT but as soon as they fold they feel very loose), but can get two fingers in there and the point WAS to try a loose loop so guess it's fine for a first try.

Stabyhoun wrote on Jul 12^th, 2024 at 8:11am:


Thanks again for a good reply. Well I THINK I prefer it really tight but again don't have enough experience actually throwing. This summer's weather here has been terrible so far. Don't think I'd like the feeling of the sling possibly flying off the finger. This obviously just half done; don't know what it feels like loaded yet. Next time will make it with about half as many snake knots or less probably. I like the idea of being able to getting it off/on the finger quickly at least. Thought adjustable was good but a good press on the top here is probably enough.

Will try making another one of these without a knot. Wether that's next project or something before that will see. Got any tips for pretty/good knots in general (4-strand turk's head works, snake knot works, MW 4-strand... decent, 6-strand needs work... other suggestions?) or already mentioned ones are enough?

Stabyhoun wrote on Jul 12^th, 2024 at 10:16am:


Thanks again for the reply; sounds good. So far have not been tightening around the knuckle but further down at the base of the finger. I liked that but will experiment further. Saw a guy on Youtube make a traditional sling, can't remember his name off the top of my head but he dressed up as a roman for the video so easy to tell who I'm talking about, and he held a big loop further up the finger so that was my thought with this one (still turned out a bit big though didn't account for it opening during the flex so this size was a straight up learning mistake; might be well suited for throwing BIG stuff).

Cobra knot... Need to look that one up thank you! 👍

I already use no padding for the double finger loops (first sling was with the padding but I liked it better without so it wasn't so thick). I don't know how to do that with this current design though. Works fine to braid with one strand WITH and one without a core? Or you're talking for a different design?

Edit: looked up the cobra. I can see two immediate uses. 1. to easily attach two strings before braiding and then using it as padding for a non-adjustable loop 2. braid the same way as this black/white one but then put it around the outside near the top to maybe slide up and make it tighter (or just as decoration). Good tip thanks again. 👍

ScantPalaver wrote on Jul 12^th, 2024 at 1:24pm:


Yeah that's the guy thank you; just didn't check the name up before posting.👍 That video showed I should to get into the clay ammo making too.

Loop too big on the black/white but have tried with a tennis ball now and it swings that without falling off so a rock would be even easier. As for throwing dk yet.

Here are the two slings I tried yesterday + the finished product of the black and white. No throwing possible for a day or so now as I JUST messed my bike up, people throwing glass on pavement 🙄, so not being able to go to the practice-beach likely got time now to make even more of them. Still going through material like crazy; need to remember to measure up length in a good way next time and then check how much is left over/needed additionally and adjust from there.

The green one is the one that's too small that whipped me across the face (I see there's a giveaway thread so unless I find a suitable person to gift it to in the local area could maybe post there; haven't tried making a cracker on it yet, and that's going better now, but it's simply too short). Orange one seems to have turned out well and the whipcracker on it works. Black/white just swung a tennis ball. Next project is either another try at the black/white design with a smaller fingerloop or another 6 braid but with a "normal" braided loop; undecided atm.

Edit: is there a good way to put a "smile" on a 3 string braided pouch (I feel these are easier to get tight)? Have been thinking about braiding one pouch side at a time and then putting the straight section (for the "mouth) there and then while braiding the other one putting the knots in (rather than trying to go in afterwards with a needle or something). Maybe there's a better way though?