Introduction: Ziptie PVC Rubberband Gun

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I am entering this Instructable in the Zip Tie Contest, Full Spectrum Laser Contest, and Homemade Gifts Contest, so if you like it please vote for it!

Throughout this instructable I will be showing you how to make a powerful rubber band gun out of pvc, and zipties.

The finished product should shoot about 20 ft, but that also depends on the size of rubber band you use.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Step 1: Supplies

For this project, you will need:

  • 10 in long 3/4 in wide piece of PVC pipe
  • 4 in long 3/4 in wide piece of PVC pipe
  • Connector piece for PVC
  • Rubber Bands
  • 3 large zip ties
  • 1 small zip tie
  • Dremel kit
  • 1 clothespin
  • possibly some double sided tape

Step 2: Step 2: Cutting the PVC

I used the dremel to make a slot in the front of the PVC so that the rubber bands would not move around.

*Make sure you cut it as straight as possible because this will affect how straight your rubber bands shoot.

Step 3: Step 3: Attaching the Clothespin

When I attached the clothespin, I drew 2 lines with a pencil all the way to front where we cut it with the dremel. This helped me to line up the clothespin as best as possible.

I attached one zip tie through the hole where the mouth is. With the other two, I attached one on the lower clip and one around the whole PVC itself. On the one going all the way around the PVC and clothespin, I put some double sided tape on top of the clothespin to keep the zip tie from sliding off. See picture*

***NOTE: When you attach the zip tie that goes all around the clothespin and PVC, do not tighten it all the way! It has to be secure enough not to fall off, but also loose enough that the mouth of the clothespin stays closed. If you accidentally tighten it too much you can always get an sharp blade an push on the clip inside the zip tie to undo it. Gently push the clip away from the zip tie towards the wall, and this should release the lock.

I also used the dremel to cut out a small slot on the top of the clothespin so I could wrap a rubber band around the whole thing. This small groove should keep the rubber band from moving around. This will keep the mouth of the clothespin closed, and also adds some resistance when you pull the trigger.

Step 4: Step 4: Attaching the Trigger

I used a small zip tie as the trigger, but you could easily use a larger one as well.

I attached the small zip tie under the PVC (opposite of where the clothespin is). When your finger goes through the small zip tie and pulls down, it will pull on the bigger one, causing it to open the mouth of clothespin, releasing the rubber band.

Step 5: Step 5: Assembling the Body

The 4 inch PVC pipe is the handle, and is connected to the long 10 inch piece with the attachment fitting.

Put a rubber band through the mouth of the clothespin, and hook it to the front of the PVC! You now have a loaded rubber band gun that can shoot roughly 20 ft! (The distance may vary due to the size of rubber bands you use)

Now you're done!

If you liked my instructable please vote for it in the zip tie challenge, Full Spectrum Laser Contest, and Homemade Gifts contest!

Thanks so much!