Pocket Crossbow

This is my first Instructable so please leave constructive criticism and stuff like that so I can improve on future Instructables.

This will be entered into the pocket sized contest so please vote for this instructable if you like it.

In this Instructable I will show you how to make a small but effective crossbow that shoots harmless projectiles (or harmful, if you happen to be in a bad mood) approximately 15 feet. It is fairly easy to make and can be custimized to a persons likeing.

Here are some things you will problably need:
- sandpaper
- rubberband
- 4-5 popsicle sticks
-1 tack
- paper clip
- glue
-1 paper clip
- pliers
if you would like to make the projectiles i did you will also need:
- straws
- play-dogh

I took a tack and poked a hole into two popsicle sticks aproxx. 3/4 of a cm from the edge. The first picture is a little blurry so look at the second and third. Do this to both sides of both popsicle sticks.

Using your other two popsicle sticks, cut off an inch off each end. Save the ends for later. Then, glue the pieces you have just created together and sand off the edges.

Poke a hole into one of the ends you cut off. Using the tack above the midpoint. Be careful not to split the wood. This will be our trigger.

Unfold the first part of the paperclip and break it off. You may use pliers to help. Save the rest for later. Use this peice and stick it into the end we made before. Then continue to stick that end of the paperclip into the hole at the end of the popsicle stick we make first.

Glue the piece of wood where we cut off the edges onto the main body. make sure you glue it 2mm under the top of the main body, it should not be flush with the top. it should be glued away from the trigger but it should not cover the holes on the other side. Look at the pictures for a better understanding. Glue on the other popsicle stick with a hole punctured in the end and glue that on top of that as well. Bent the ends of the paper clip that are still sticking out

Now, unfold the of the paper clip be broke a peice of and stick it through the holes on the other side of the crossbow that are unused. bend the ends of the paper clip up. it should now liik like picture two. Now, break the rubber band, and tie th3 ends of the rubber band onto the paper clip. You will problably not need the whole length of the rubber band. You should have a finished crossbow!

I needed something that shot far but did not do much damage to the target. Some materials i used to make it were straws, playdogh, and sissors. basically what i did was cut off 3 inches off each straw and stuffed one side of each straw with some play dogh.

Your done!

To use it pull the rubber band back and hook it onto the handle. Hold on to the other side of the handle that protrudes under the crossbow, Let go to fire.

You may personalize your crossbow to your liking. i added a handle in the front using another popsicle stick to make it easier to fire and aim, but that made it harder to fit it into my pocket.