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How to Make Weapons With Rubber Bands

Rubber bands can be used for more than just keeping items such as index cards together. In the right hands, they can become some fairly neat projectile weapons, just begging to be launched at unassuming targets such as toy action figures. A miniature bow and arrow or simple "handgun" can be made with little more than common household items.

Things You'll Need

Industrial-strength wood glue
One-foot dowel rod piece, about one inch in diameter
Two wooden or plastic hinged clothespins
One-foot-long sapling branch
Large rubber bands
Knife
Half-inch wood screw
Screwdriver
Two-foot length of 1/8-inch dowel rod
Coping saw
Tape (optional)

Instructions

Bow &Arrow
- 1
  Make the bow by cutting a notch into both ends of the sapling branch with the knife and thread in one end of a rubber band into one notch. Stretch the band down to the opposite end of the branch and thread the other end of the rubber band into the notch.
- 2
  Saw the small dowel rod in half, making "arrows". Cut small divots into one end of each of the rods and use the bow to fire the arrows. Thread the notched arrow into the rubber band and pull backwards toward you; release your grip to fire the arrow.
- 3
  If desired, wrap the ends of the bow in tape to add strength to your pull. The added stability will also make your arrows launch further. For safety's sake, resist the temptation to sharpen the arrows.
Rubber Band Rifle
- 4
  Glue the clothespin onto one end of the dowel rod and allow to dry completely. Screw the wood screw into the opposite end of the rod, in line with the clothespin, screwing it into the wood about a quarter of the way to make a "sight".
- 5
  Attach a rubber band onto the screw and stretch it down, clamping the other end of the band in the clothespin to load the launcher. Be careful not to let the band snap backwards toward you when attaching it.
- 6
  Launch the rubber band by aiming at your target and pushing down on the end of the clothespin.

Wooden Toys