Adderini Pistol
Adderini Pistol
Adderini Pistol
This toy is a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous. When not in use, always keep it under lock
and key away from children. Do not shoot living beings, use an archery mat/backstop!
The following information will allow you to build your own 3D printed slingbow pistol.
This project is based on the ideas of Jörg Sprave from The Slingshot Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/JoergSprave,
combined with several of my ideas, solutions and optimization for 3D printing.
If you like this project and appreciate my work, you can support me through PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=DTDGEWZF4YA44
You can also support the Inventor who inspires me to create interesting things
https://www.patreon.com/JoergSprave
Introduction........................................................................................................................................3
3D Printing..........................................................................................................................................4
Alternative no-crossbow version .........................................................................................................7
Sanding and smoothing..................................................................................................................... 10
Gluing parts ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Magazine assembly........................................................................................................................... 19
Magazine pivot assembly .................................................................................................................. 24
Pistol body ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Magazine and pistol body rails .......................................................................................................... 40
Slingshot mount parts and string stoppers ........................................................................................ 43
Cocking lever .................................................................................................................................... 48
Slingshot arms .................................................................................................................................. 51
Rubber.............................................................................................................................................. 53
Bowstring ......................................................................................................................................... 55
Open sight ........................................................................................................................................ 66
Stock................................................................................................................................................. 68
Compatible bolts / arrows................................................................................................................. 71
Picatinny rails for optional devices .................................................................................................... 72
Optional ammo clips with automatic magazine loading..................................................................... 74
Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 79
If you have a printer with a larger bed 300 x 300 mm, you can print large parts from the
"300x300mm_bed" folder and avoid gluing. In this option, you do not need 4 M3x6 mm screws and
4 M3 nuts for pistol body left and right parts.
If you are using a standard printer with a 200 x 200 mm bed, print out the parts from the
"200x200mm_bed" folder.
You must generate bed supports in slicer program for printing parts:
- [A]_magazine_left_front, [A]_magazine_left_rear, [A]_magazine_right_front,
[A]_magazine_right_rear or [A]_magazine_left and [A]_magazine_right for 300 x 300 mm bed
- [B]_pistol_body_left_front, [B]_pistol_body_left_rear, [B]_pistol_body_right_front,
[B]_pistol_body_right_rear or [B]_pistol_body_left and [B]_pistol_body_left for 300 x 300 mm bed
(these parts can be printed without any supports, but the bridge direction must be properly done by
the slicer program),
- cocking_rod
(it is possible to print this part without supports in a different orientation, but for strength reasons,
I recommend printing in a horizontal position with supports),
- [B]_cocking_lever_part1 or [B]_cocking_lever for 300 x 300 mm bed
(this part also requires internal supports in addition to those on the bed).
Supports for screws holes and nuts holes are not required.
The [B]_cocking_lever_part1 (or [B]_cocking_lever for 300 x 300 mm bed) and [C]_cocking_rod have
internal reinforcements designed. Make sure your slicer software executes them properly. If they are
not visible, use a different slicer or increase the number of shells/perimeters. These are the most
heavily loaded parts and this is very important.
The side covers with the name "Adderini" can be printed in two colors, if your printer supports
the G-Code command to change the filament, e.g. M600. You need to set the slicer to change the
color of the filament on the layer above 2.0 mm high.
For 3D printer with 300 x 300 mm bed use [B+A]_pistol_body_left and [B+A]_pistol_body_right STL
files. You need to set the slicer to change the color of the filament on the layer above 6.0 mm high.
If you plan to use [A]_stock, don't print the [B]_pistol_body_middle_rear_plug. If you are not
planning to use [A]_stock, please print the [B]_pistol_body_middle_rear_plug.
Do not print a [C]_cocking_lever_lock for this version, you also do not need 1 M3x20 mm screw.
If you plan to use [A]_stock, don't print the [B]_pistol_body_middle_rear_plug. If you are not
planning to use [A]_stock, please print the [B]_pistol_body_middle_rear_plug.
You need to carefully check all the 3D printed elements and perform sanding and smoothing
if necessary.
The [A]_magazine_rear_left (or [A]_magazine_left) part have 1 blind hole for M3x16 mm grub screw
(connection pin with [C]_cocking_rod) to facilitate the generation of supports and 3D printing. You
need to open the hole with a round precision file or gently with a 3 mm drill bit.
The elements of the pistol model are divided into smaller parts to allow printing on printers
with a 200x200 mm bed. You need to glue these parts together.
Gluing should be done on a flat surface (e.g. table or desk top) so that the glued parts are even
and straight. I recommend using a CA gel glue or two-component epoxy adhesive. CA gel glue is very
effective in the case of PLA, but gives a short time for possible adjustments of the glued parts.
I do not recommend regular CA glue as it may leak when the parts are glued.
Excess glue should be removed immediately after gluing. Once the adhesive is dried, sand
the surfaces.
Before gluing, make sure that all parts fit perfectly together.
1. Gluing the magazine parts is very simple. Place the parts on the table with the flat side facing
down. Apply glue on one of the glued surfaces. Press both parts together and hold for a while until
the CA glue catches. Wipe off any excess glue and let it dry.
Insert the M3 nuts in the right places. If it goes in tight, you can use a longer M3 screw and a small
hammer. Be gentle so as not to damage the parts.
Once dry, sand all joints with sandpaper. The parts are ready for assembly.
Take the right side of the magazine ([A]_magazine_right) and insert 4 M3 nuts into the holes.
Take the left side of the magazine, put it on the right side.
Secure [C]_trigger into place with M3x20 mm screw. The screw is screwed directly into the plastic,
so make sure there is no gap between the parts on the bottom of the magazine. Use a clamp
to squeeze the parts together while tightening. Be careful, not to over tighten it.
The grub screw is screwed directly into the plastic, so make sure there is no gap between the parts
on the bottom of the magazine. Use a clamp to squeeze the parts together while tightening.
Insert [C]_magazine_spring_lever into place and secure it with M3x12 mm screw. The screw is
screwed directly into the plastic. Be careful, not to over tighten it.
Insert half of the spring from the clicky pen into the [B]_pistol_body_middle_rear hole.
Insert the 2 M3 nuts into the holes on the inside of the pistol body.
Make sure there is no gap between the trigger guard parts. Use a clamp to squeeze the parts
together while tightening
Take pistol_body and magazine. Slide the magazine rails into the pistol body rails. The movement
in the rails should be smooth, without much friction between parts. If not, use a file or sandpaper
to grind the magazine rails.
Insert the cocking_lever into the pistol_body and secure it with the M3x35 mm screw and M3 nut.
Check that all pistol mechanisms are functioning properly and cocking_lever locks into place. If not,
file the cocking_lever_lock hook or cocking lever catch hole a bit.
Screw in 2 M3x16 mm grub screws into the [C]_slingshot_arms. The screws should protrude
approximately 4-4.5 mm.
Attach the slingshot arms to the pistol. Make sure the parts fit together and lock into place in correct
position.
Use a 60-65 mm long TheraBand tube rubber per side and 3 mm rope with middle serving
as a bowstring (about 110 mm between knots).
Slingshot arms are designed for 20 mm wide TheraBand gold bands. You can use 20 mm, 40 mm
or 60 mm strips on each side. I recommend 40 mm per side because it allows you to get around 6-7
Joules of arrow energy (about 35-40 lbs of draw weight) and it's very easy to fire and cock the pistol.
The 60 mm bands per side are already 10-11 Joules of arrow energy (about 55-60 lbs of draw weight)
and probably close to the total strength of this 3D printed pistol design. However, I did not notice any
major problems, although cocking_lever bends quite significantly in this configuration. I guess that's
absolutely maximum for that 3D printed pistol.
I recommend using the entire width (130 mm) of TheraBand gold band to cut 2x40 mm for power
and 2x3 mm or 2x4 mm strips to mount the rubber on the slingshot arms. You need cut 2x60 mm
if you want to use the maximum power.
So you need 2 pcs. 130x40 mm (or 130x60 mm) and 2 pcs. 130x3 mm (or 130x4 mm) of rubber. The
rubber should be cut with a knife with a circular blade next to a ruler.
The bowstring should be about 100-110 mm long. End loops of approximately 20-25 mm each
in string length.
A longer string provides a safer distance between the rubber and the sides of the magazine
and protects it better against damage. A shorter bowstring gives a slightly better performance.
Serving Tool
Print serving_tool and 2 serving_tool_spool_half. Glue spool parts together with CA glue. You need
also M3x30 mm screw with HEX head, M3 thumb nut, one washer, and one spring washer.
Bowstring Jig
Print 2 bowstring_jig and 4 bowstring_jig_roller. You need also 200 mm of 2020 aluminum profile,
4 M3x35 mm screws with 4 M3 nuts, 2 M5x20 mm screws, 2 M5x40 mm screws, 2 M5 nuts, 4 M5
T-nuts for V-groove.
Start serving the string. You need to make about 45-50 mm long serving.
Warning! If the middle serving of string starts to fray from the trigger and arrow, replace it.
Align the ends of the rubber and prepare to tie. The mark on the slingshot arm marks the place
where you need to put the ends of the rubber strips.
The photos below show unfolded arms of the slingshot. This is the starting position of the pistol
when it is ready to pull the string and fire.
The length and pre-tension of the rubber on both sides should be similar. If the bowstring
is significantly shifted to either side, the rubber may be damaged during the shot.
When loading the magazine, it is recommended to tilt the pistol back about 15-45 degrees. The rest
is done by gravity when the ammo clip moving backwards. With a little practice, you can load
a magazine very quickly.
This ammo clip is 3D printed (9 parts) and requires only 4 external elements to work (3 pieces M3x20
mm Allen screws and a small spring from a pen - 4.2 mm diameter and about 25 mm length).
The arrow release mechanism of the ammo clip is triggered by the movement of the clip backwards.
At the end of the bow magazine is a small notch that works with the ammo clip main slider.
The ammo clip has a small lock switch that makes it difficult to accidentally unload the ammo clip
when placing it in the belt attachment. The trouser belt attachment has an additional lock that
immobilizes the whole mechanism, so when walking or running the bolts will not fall out.
3 versions ammo clips are available - please choose the right one for your arrows/bolts:
"A"without circle on the housing - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4214277
- for 160 mm bolts with steel point head, aluminum shaft (6.2 mm diameter) with plastic fletching
or full plastic shaft (6 mm diameter) and fletching (cheapest bolts available also on Aliexpress)
This is by far the most complicated of my designs. It took many many hours of designing and solving
various problems along the way. It is a compromise between the size of the pistol, magazine
capacity, length and durability of the cocking lever and the decent power. The shared STL files are
the fifth version of the project.
It's a 3D printed toy, so it's not very strong, but it's definitely fun.
I would like to thank my beta testers who helped me improve many things on the device.
I would like to thank Jörg Sprave for his inventions, help, good word and inspiration to act.
Without him, this project would certainly not have been possible.
Łukasz Janikowski