I’ve been looking for a way to get wires into trees that would be at least as strong as the fishing rod I’ve been using but more accurate.

I came across the arborist’s slingshot, an oversized slingshot on a pole, but I didn’t like the price so I looked for a DIY version and found someone who built one from an extension pole, handlebars and a water balloon sling.

Here’s my version.

The pole is a cheap, fiberglass tree lopper. Handlebars are from a child’s bike I found on the curb in the trash. The fit of the handlebars into the pole was so tight that the fiberglass swelled so I reinforced it with hose clamps.

The sling is a 2-for-$19 Amazon set sold for launching water balloons. The handles of the slingshot fit nicely over the handlebars without modification.

The projectile is a nylon bag with two 3-oz. sinkers and a tire balance weight I found on the road. To string it, I’m using a short telescoping fishing pole.

The zip ties may be temporary. I’ll probably use more hose clamps.

With this small reel, I’ve had issues with it not holding enough line but Andy N4AMB recommended a 30lb-test braided line that’s thinner so more fits on the reel. The line is also slick so it should slide over limbs well.

The first launch hit the cross bar on the handlebars. A small adjustment and the second launch was almost to the treetops without a full pull.

No antennas to hang today so the test was into the air but almost exactly where it was aimed.

This probably doesn’t have near the power of an air canon but I’m very happy with it. This will make playing with antenna faster and easier.