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How to Make a Rubber Band Gun From Wood

For children, a rubber band gun made from a scrap piece of wood can hold hours of enjoyment. They can set up empty soda bottle along a rail and test their marksmanship. And the best part of it is that these toys can be made at home, and then customized to meet every child's particular whims. Once they discover how much fun it can be, they'll want to design toys for their friends too.

Things You'll Need

1 1-by-4-by-10-inch wood block
Jigsaw
140 grit sandpaper
240 grit sandpaper
Hammer
2 4d finish nails
Pliers
1 wood clothespin w/metal spring
Wood glue
1 package rubber bands

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a gun shape on the piece of wood. Make the outline complete, including the barrel and hand grip, to get the correct shape.
- 2
  Use the jigsaw to cut out the gun shape. Set the bevel on the jigsaw and run it along the sides of the barrel to slowly whittle it into a rounded shape. Use sandpaper to round out other rough edges and transform the block into a rough approximation of a gun.
- 3
  Use the fine grit sand paper to smooth all surfaces to a sleek finish. This gives the wood a smooth look, somewhat resembling the metal of a real gun.
- 4
  Drive one of the finish nails directly into the front end of the barrel. Leave 3/8-inch of the nail protruding from the barrel. Bend the nail vertically to a 75 degree angle. Adjust the angle to lift only the head of the nail above the top edge of the barrel, with the shank of the nail hidden when "sighting" along the barrel.
- 5
  Take the clothes pin apart. Space three small drops of wood glue on the bottom leg. Place that leg flat along the top of the gun so that the back edge of the pin is flush with the back of the gun. Drive the remaining nail through the leg of the pin and into the top of the gun. The nail should go through the middle of the "lip" on the front of the clothespin. Leave only 1/8-inch or less protruding from the clothes pin.
- 6
  Reassemble the clothespin carefully. Press the lips together with your fingers so that the nail head makes an indentation in the upper leg of the clothespin. This prevents the rubber band from slipping through the clothespin before firing. Tap the nail in a little farther if there is a firing problem.
- 7
  Hook a rubber band over the front nail, and pull it back and clip it between "jaws" of the clothes pin. Aim by sighting along the clothespin and front nail, and fire by pressing the legs together.

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