How to Make Rubber Band Rifles

Trace a toy rifle onto a piece of 3/4-inch plywood, or draw one freehand.

Cut out the profile of the gun using a bandsaw, saber saw or handsaw.

Arrange two clothespins on the barrel of the gun, one on the top and one on the bottom. Position the clothespins based on the type of rubber band you have available. Place a rubber band over the front of the gun barrel and stretch it back toward the stock. Place the clothespins at a point where they will hold the rubber bands in a stretched position. Mark their positions with a pencil.

Disassemble the clothespins by removing the metal spring, and set the halves aside. Drill two tiny holes through each of the other two halves. Drill the holes along the shaft of the clothespin, the part you press with your fingers when opening it. Spread some glue on the outside surfaces, and put one on the top and one on the bottom of the rifle stock, where you made the pencil marks in Step 3. Secure each clothespin half by nailing in two small finish nails through the holes you drilled. Position the clip part of the clothespin (the part that is closed when you're not pressing on the clothespin) facing forward toward the front of the gun.

Reassemble the clothespins by putting one of each of the halves that you set aside in Step 4 onto each half that you attached to the gun barrel and reinserting the metal springs.

Load your rubber band rifle by stretching rubber bands back from the front of the barrel and securing them in the jaws of the clothespins. Fire your rifle by aiming it and opening the clothespins.