How to Create a Rubber Band Gun

We have grandkids living with us until their Dad comes home from Afghanistan.  He gave them this nice little rubber band gun that he used as part of his costume for Renaissance Fairs.  There is only one problem; only one gun and two children.  This is how I created a second Rubber Band gun to keep the squabbling down.

This is the rubber band gun that was left behind for the grandkids.

These are the supplies I used to create a second rubber band gun:
1-11½ inch piece of ¾ inch PVC pipe
1-4 ½ inch piece of ¾ inch PVC pipe
45° angle slip corner for ¾ inch PVC pipe
Rotary tool with saw tip (not shown)
1 wood clothes pin
E-6000 glue
PVC pipe cutter
Spray paint (optional and not shown)
6 inch rubber bands (not shown)
Masking tape
Tape measure

Using the rotary tool and the little saw blade,on one end of the 11 ½ inch piece of pipe,

create two V notches, parallel to each other.  These will hold the rubber band in place until shot.  Push the opposite end of the 11 ½ inch piece of pipe into one end of the 45° angle corner.  Make sure the notches are parallel to the end of the handle.  Push the other piece of pipe into the other end of the corner.

Use the PVC pipe cutter to cut off one leg of the clothes pin.

Apply E6000 glue to the short leg of the clothes pin and glue it on the underside of the mussel of the gun.  Gluing the short leg to the underside, allows the long leg to almost reach the center of the corner piece. Use a piece of masking tape to hold the clothes pin in place until dry (1 hour) and cured (24 hours).

Remove the tape from the trigger (clothes pin) and string a rubber band from the teeth of the clothes pin, to the notches on the end of the muzzle.

Now carefully hold the gun and squeeze the handle.  Your hand will push the long leg of the clothes pin up, thus releasing the rubber band.  You have just fired your rubber band gun.  Make a second one and have a rubber band war, or contest.  If I had the time and the where with all, I would paint my new gun black to make look even more like the original.  But I don’t so I won’t.  Enjoy!