shanghi or catapult

[LandyAndy]

Many moons ago I had a hi power catapult/shanghi.Proper proffessionaly built one,a mate borrowed it and never returned it.It had an arm brace and would put ball beaings thru 1" particle board:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Are they still available???? I have several feral visitors to the garden,cant get near them with a big stick any more:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Andrew

[V8Ian]

I think they're illegal now, under the firearms laws, Andrew.

[jimr1]

Hi Andrew , I don't think you can . Not legally . Like you I had one many years ago . It was made from die-cast aluminum , with a strong rubber , and a leather pouch . It had a indent to put your thumb . I remember the very last time I used It , I was showing a mate how to fire It . I pulled It back with a nice pebble , let go and the pebble hit my thumb nail . Yes It did go Black , I did run around like a chook . As I said that was the last time I ever used It . Never did know what became of my mighty Catapult !!.. lol.. Jim,,:D:D

[LandyAndy]

Hi Andrew , I don't think you can . Not legally . Like you I had one many years ago . It was made from die-cast aluminum , with a strong rubber , and a leather pouch . It had a indent to put your thumb . I remember the very last time I used It , I was showing a mate how to fire It . I pulled It back with a nice pebble , let go and the pebble hit my thumb nail . Yes It did go Black , I did run around like a chook . As I said that was the last time I ever used It . Never did know what became of my mighty Catapult !!.. lol.. Jim,,:D:D

Yep,thats the beast.
Will have to find the one Lindsay made or make another.
Lindsay made his from some 302 Cleveland push rods I had,they hold the jelly rubber nicely;);););););););)
Andrew

[isuzurover]

https://www.outdoorswarehouse.com.au/pages/Weapons-Laws-and-Regulations.html

As above, illegal in all states but qld it seems...

[Toxic_Avenger]

When I read up on the prohibited weapons act last, I recall that something homemade for use by a child was OK.

If you are handy, and want to look past the law, then you could make a epic one with suitably sized rod, a mapp gas torch for bending, and some suitable thera band rubber.

THe local camping store here still sells the bands, which are a tubular rubber design.

[mikehzz]

For us it was just a shanghi or sling shot. Catapult sounds like it should be as big as a house with wooden wheels and a team of slaves dragging it around. :)

[Vern]

I have a proper one, but the rubber has all perished, not sure where you can get another from. :(

[mick88]

As kids we used to make a very simple one called a "Ging" from a piece of inner tube, twine and a boot tongue.
With plenty of practice we were very accurate with them!




Cheers, Mick.

[ramblingboy42]

funny , we never used the word shanghi but instead shangeye.

usually made out of strong 1/4" rod and we used linatex rubber from the mines....some may be familiar.

used underground with grease nipples or 1/4"/3/8" nuts they would easily penetrate rats....hmmm might work on cats out bush.

[JDNSW]

According to the Australian National Dictionary, the word is shanghai, probably from shanghie, a variant of Scots dialect shangan (a stick cleft at one end), assimilated to the Chinese city name, also used in American English for kidnapping sailors, a usage that would have been familiar in Australia after the gold rush.

Earliest usage quoted is 1863 in the Melbourne 'Leader', where the spelling is shanghay, but all other quotes (1875-1982) in the dictionary spell it shanghai.

It appears to be an Australian word.

John

[Aaron IIA]

Spearguns have a useful rubber band.

Aaron

[Saitch]

Spearguns have a useful rubber band.

Aaron
And a useful spear:D

[p38arover]

Pretty sure the terms "slingshot" and/or "catapult" were never used when I was a kid - always "shanghai".

I used to make them from a Y-shaped branch from a tree and used strips of inner tube and a leather pouch to carry the shot.

In my late son's effects, I found a commercial one which used surgical rubber tube instead of inner tube.

[DiscoMick]

We called it a slingshot when I was a kid. We thought a catapault was an ancient military weapon, while Shanghai was a Chinese city.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[korg20000bc]

In my state, Tasmania.

The relevant legislation appears to be:
Quote:

POLICE OFFENCES ACT 1935 - SECT 3

3. Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears ?

crossbow means a device, consisting of a bow fitted transversely on a stock that has a groove or barrel, designed to direct an arrow or bolt;

dangerous article includes ?
(a) any weapon other than a firearm; and
(b) any article adapted or modified so as to be capable of being used as such a weapon; and
(c) any other article that is intended to be used as such a weapon;
and:

Quote:

POLICE OFFENCES ACT 1935 - SECT 15C

15C. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg Dangerous articles https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp2)
(1) A person, without lawful excuse, must not have possession of, or carry or use, a https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp3) in a public place.
Penalty:
Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units. (1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to ?
(a) a police officer acting in the performance of his or her duties; or
(b) a person, or group of persons, excluded in writing by the Commissioner from the application of that subsection.
(2) A police officer may stop, detain and search, without a warrant, any person in a public place whom the police officer reasonably believes has possession of, or carries, any https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp4) without lawful excuse and may stop, detain and search, without a warrant, the person's vehicle.
(3) A police officer may seize and detain any https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp5) found.
(4) A lawful excuse excludes self-defence but includes the following:
(a) the pursuit of a lawful occupation, duty or activity using that https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp6);
(b) the participation in a lawful sport, recreation or entertainment using that https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp7);
(c) the lawful collection, display or exhibition of that https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp8);
(d) the use of that https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp9) for the lawful purpose for which it was intended.
(5) If a person is convicted or found guilty of an offence under this section, the https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg dangerous article https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s15c.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=dangerous%20article#disp10) to which the offence relates is forfeited and may be disposed of as the court orders.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a person who is in a motor vehicle in a public place is taken to be in the public place. So, presumably, it appears that if I keep a slingshot usage out of public places there is no problem.
If anyone is interested, Public Place is interpreted in the act here:
Quote:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/74.jpg public place https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/75.jpg (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/tas/consol_act/poa1935140/s3.html'stem=0&synonyms=0&query=public%20place#disp2) includes?



any park, garden, reserve, or other place of public recreation or resort;



any rail infrastructure, railway, or rolling stock, within the meaning of the Rail Safety National Law (Tasmania) Act 2012;



any public wharf, pier, or jetty;



any passenger vessel plying for hire;



any vehicle plying for hire;



any church, chapel, or other building open for the purpose of Divine service;



any public hall, theatre, or room in which any public entertainment or meeting is being held or performed or is taking place;



any market;



any auction room, or mart, or place open for the purpose of a sale by auction;



any premises specified in a liquor licence or liquor permit granted under the Liquor Licensing Act 1990 (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/lla1990190/), that are open for the sale of liquor;



any licensed billiard-room;



any racecourse, cricket ground, football, show, or regatta ground, or other such place to which the public have access free or on payment of any gate-money; and includes any portion of such place which is within view of the public;



any open yard, place, allotment, or urinal, closet, lavatory, or other convenience to which the public have access;



any police office or police station, or any court-house or court of petty sessions, or any yard or enclosure used therewith respectively, to which the public have access;



any street as herein defined, notwithstanding that the same may be formed on private property;



any school building or the land or premises used in connection therewith;



any public cemetery;



any banking house, warehouse, shop, office, or similar place, while open for the transaction of business; So, there may be legal opportunity to explore rubber-powered launchers as long as they are not used in public places.

The best rubber for launchers is Theraband Gold, which is a used for strengthening and resistance training when recovering form an injury. There are different colours and grades but gold has the best properties for slingshots.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Exercise-Resistance-Band-Thera-band-Gold-Max-Res-1-5m-Theraband-/221914995601?hash=item33ab2a1b91:g:-6wAAOxy0NtTGREi

[Pinelli]

Checking the website linked earlier, showing state by state what is allowed, the page showing the slingshots they sell includes a 'make your own slingshot' kit that they can legally post to Vic & NSW.

https://www.outdoorswarehouse.com.au/slingshots/

Highly amusing.

[digger]

our way slinshots illegal... but "bait throwers" apparently thats different.


http://crossbowsaus.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=7

[Ausfree]

Pretty sure the terms "slingshot" and/or "catapult" were never used when I was a kid - always "shanghai".

I used to make them from a Y-shaped branch from a tree and used strips of inner tube and a leather pouch to carry the shot.

In my late son's effects, I found a commercial one which used surgical rubber tube instead of inner tube.

Yep, we also made them the same way, we called them shanghis/shangeyes (whatever) or "gonks". Don't ask me where that name come from. We used to run around the bush with a "gonk" hanging out of our back pocket.
Has been illegal in NSW for a lot of years now, same with crackers, because (usual story) dickheads spoilt it for the rest of us. Used to wander around with air rifles (slug guns) too.

[Tank]

Shangeye's was what we, as kids called them, would pick a suitable Y shaped branch from an Oleander bush, strip the green bark off with our teeth (so much for being poisonous) and a packet of rubber bands from the local newsagent shop.
Would cut a suitable size bit of leather from a shoe tongue, loop 2 lots of rubber bands together attach the leather bit and fit the other end to grooves cut in the Oleander y branch.
Used to mainly use date palm berries from the trees in the park at end of our street, many a dead bird in our area during shangeye season, Regards Frank.

[jonesfam]

My boys still make them.
Then I have the grief of stopping WW3 which seems to always start around 5:30pm.:angry:
The offending weapons are confiscated & destroyed.


New ones are made within a day & the whole thing starts again.:confused:


Must say the boys have been very good & shoot each other & not animals.
Not much blood is spilled.


I suppose we should be thankful that all but one are bad shots. Our metal clad house does have a few good, deep dents though.


Jonesfam
PS They all have Nerf guns which we think are a better idea, the kids don't.

[scarry]

My boys still make them.
Then I have the grief of stopping WW3 which seems to always start around 5:30pm.:angry:
The offending weapons are confiscated & destroyed.


New ones are made within a day & the whole thing starts again.:confused:


Must say the boys have been very good & shoot each other & not animals.
Not much blood is spilled.


I suppose we should be thankful that all but one are bad shots. Our metal clad house does have a few good, deep dents though.


Jonesfam
PS They all have Nerf guns which we think are a better idea, the kids don't.

Hmmm,i shot at one of my brothers and hit him about 10mm under his left eye from a fair way off, with a ball bearing using a home made slingshot.

He was OK apart from a black eye for a week or so.

Parents didn't find out what had happened,from memory we made up some storey that he tripped over and hit his head on a stump,but it shocked us kids that much we never shot at each other ever again.

I can still remember the incident down by the creek like it happened yesterday,the glint of the ball in the sunlight before it hit him.:(

That was 40yrs ago.

Just saying…..

[gofish]

Slingshots are often sold as "bait casters" :D

[korg20000bc]

Hmmm,i shot at one of my brothers and hit him about 10mm under his left eye from a fair way off, with a ball bearing using a home made slingshot.

He was OK apart from a black eye for a week or so.

Parents didn't find out what had happened,from memory we made up some storey that he tripped over and hit his head on a stump,but it shocked us kids that much we never shot at each other ever again.

I can still remember the incident down by the creek like it happened yesterday,the glint of the ball in the sunlight before it hit him.:(

That was 40yrs ago.
I like that story.
Amazing how we can have total recall of events like that- including the glint.

[p38arover]

So that's where the term "he had a glint in his eye" came from. :D

[Barefoot Dave]

Still legal in Queensland. BUT, with an arm brace become a prohibited weapon. To get more power without the brace, you need to get creative with the design.
Check out the slingshot channel on you tube for hours of fun! Gorge sprave iirc.

[AllTerr]

We called them "wrist rockets" in the states. And we all had them. If you didn't, you were considered "unarmed". Haha

[korg20000bc]

Still legal in Queensland. BUT, with an arm brace become a prohibited weapon. To get more power without the brace, you need to get creative with the design.
Check out the slingshot channel on you tube for hours of fun! Gorge sprave iirc.
Joerg does excellent stuff.
He's just done a build, that I suggested, of the Leach Trench Catapult.
Greetings! And, have you heard of the Leach Trench Catapult? - Slingshot Forum - The Slingshot Channel Official Forum (http://www.theslingshotforum.com/f4/greetings-have-you-heard-leach-trench-catapult-34168/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0J22Svp8g0

[rangieman]

Slingshot when i was a kid and still call them that;)

[scarry]

Slingshot when i was a kid and still call them that;)

Same here, slingshot was what we called them,a must have when we were kids

Just like a mobile phone today,a kids must have:o

[lebanon]

Make your own with a proper Y shape wood from a tree. Rubber bands could be made from inner tube. I used to make a lot of them during my childhood.

[Chops]

Yeah, ours were called slingshots as well. Good fun, but not much power to them, well at least our home made ones.
Then we discovered air rifles and chook pellets. Now that was fun, albeit it rather painful :o. That took our wargames to a whole new level :D

[scarry]

We used to use tapioca i think it was called in small slingshots.

Now that used to sting.

Mulberries were plentiful at a certain time of the year around our place.

They used to go well in a slingshot and make a big purple patch on clothes,much to our parents horror.

[ATH]

Back where I lived in the UK we called them catapults and were part of a growing boys armoury along with wooden spears, bows and arrows, air rifles and later 12 bore shotguns.
Ours were all home made with a Y shaped forked piece of local wood, 1/4" square rubber and the tongue cut out of old shoes.
I used mine to good effect once when the local road sweeper (known as Old Woodsy) decided to unload his bowels into our camp...... I doubt anyone could ever jump as high as he did from a squat with his trousers down. :D
AlanH.

[Orkney 90]

We used to make a somewhat different version. A short length of metal or plastic tube, about 2cm in diameter, aprox. 10cm long. Then we used to cut the "fingers" off rubber gloves, attach one finger to one end of the tube, drop in a ball bearing, pull it back within the rubber glove finger, aim and release. Quick to make, super cheap and with a small amount of practice it was easy to aim relatively accurately.

Amazing any of us survived without any major injuries...

[Toxic_Avenger]

Ahhh the glove gun.

[mick88]

This is well worth a look!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0