Get To Know The Maker
Here at Catapult Addicts, We are trying to help the sport the best way we can. So we thought a good step to doing this would be interviewing catapulty makers. This gives readers the chance to get to know them a little bit better and to understand what got them into the sport themselves.
An interview with John Palfrey. Founder and maker of "Nutty Naturals"
Johns's page can be found on facebook. He is also a regular on our facebook group. Here's Johns "Get To Know The Maker" Interview:
CA: How did you get into catapults?
JP: Friends got me in to hunting first with ferrets then lurchers and cattys shortly after
CA: How old was you when you owned your first catapult?
JP: 18 i think could of been younger
CA: What was your first catapult?
JP: First ever catty was a natty off me pal
CA: When did you get into catapult making?
JP only beenn catty making a year or so
CA: Do you make catapults as a hobbie or is it a full time job?
JP: Bit of both really but money ends up back into materials or kids banks
CA: How long on average does it take you to complete each catapult?
JP: All depends on what has to be done to the natty if carving and shaping is involved can take 2-3 days with caps as well and others i can spend a day on which is basic no bark on and minimal
shaping
CA: What tools do you use to make your catapults?
JP: Opinel knife to take bark off flap wheels dremmel sandpaper and occasionally grinder and
bandsaw
CA: Where do you make your catapults?
JP: In the lab lol
CA: What is the best catapult you've made to date?
JP: Id like to think all my cattys are good but that is all down to owners of my work or followers of it to decide
CA: What other products do you sell?
JP: Stick shooters could be a big possibility and occasionally bandsets
CA: Thanks for taking time out to talk to Catapult addicts.
JP: Cheers for the opportunity and happy hunting
An interview with Nick Hegarty. Founder and maker of "Hegarty Slings"
Nick's page can be found on facebook. He is also a regular on our facebook group. We sent Nick some questions from our selfs and other members, for him to answer. Here's Nicks "Get To Know The Maker".
I've always been into hunting with guns , on one occasion a friend of mine came along, he brought a catapult as well as his gun , he told me that he hunted regular with the catapult and brought pigeon home most nights , after seeing him take a pigeon at 15ish meters , I thought I better make one of these . I was probably about 10 years old when I got my very first catapult. It was a Milbro. I got into making catapults about 5 years ago , this was after making one that I seen a friend with , then all my friends were asking me to make catapults for them . Catapult making is now a full time job. It's not very often that I would be making just one catapult from start to finish , I'll usually have a few on the go all at different stages . I use a bandsaw, files , dremel and lots of sandpaper. I make them in my office. To me all my catapults are the best , just some take longer than others to make .
Thanks Nick for taking time out to talk to Catapult Addicts.
Special Guest Interview
An interview with GameKeeper John (John Webb). Founder and maker of "GameKeeper Catapults"
John's page can be found on facebook. He is also a regular on our facebook group and he kindly agreed to take time out to do an interview for us. We sent John some questions from our selfs and other members, for him to answer. Here's GameKeeper John's "Get To Know The Maker" interview:
CA: How old was you and how did you get into catapults?
GKJ: I was only a nipper, I'd say about 4 or 5 years old. I use to go out with me dad in the van after the pheasants and that's how I got into it. Had catapults around me all my life, my dad, Grandad and there dads have always shot them so it's just something I've been brought up around
CA: What catapult did you first own?
GKJ: I can't remember my first catapult but my dad has told me it was a natural gypsy ash cup, tabbed up with leather tabs and fitted with either squares or tubes.... I shot this type of catapults up until I was around 22 (6 years ago) and shot anything as ammo from pebbles, marbles, hex nuts and anything I could get my hands on lol.....
CA: what's your favourite catapult and why?
GKJ: Well this is a easy question, The Gamekeeper "Pocket Poacher Supergrip" why? Because "for me personally" it's the most accurate catapult iv ever shot, It just feels part of the hand... Keep in mind the "PPSG" was never meant to go in the range, it was something I made custom for my hold and how I shot, I posted a picture when it was done and ended making a couple for mates, word got round and now it seems everyone wants them and there's a fair few hundred dotted across the globe.
CA: As a shooter do you prefer hunting or competition?
GKJ: That's a hard one, iv only really started competing around 4-5 years ago and I've been shooting for almost 20 years before that just hunting and pinking so I'd have to say hunting as that's were it all started for me but I really really enjoy the competitive side of things.... In fact I prefer them both the same lol !!!!
CA: What has been the best advice you have been given that's helped you become a better shooter?
GKJ: Another hard question, I've had loads of advice and tips here and there but I pretty much taught myself by swapping and changing frames, set ups and styles.... Believe me there's not much I haven't shot over the years.... But back to the question and without doubt the best advice is don't give up, keep practising and over time u will get better, accuracy don't come over night it needs to be earned.
CA: How old where you when you started competing?
GKJ: Like I said earlier I've only been competing for the past 4-5 year so I was about 23-24 when I started competing.
CA: What has been your most important achievement so far and why?
GKJ: My most important achievement, another hard one lol, but I'd have to say turning my hobby / passion into a full time job that I really enjoy and pays well.... It's gotta be me biggest achievement to pay for the house, car, kids, bills and all other stuff from something that I enjoy.
CA: What advice would you give too people entering the sport that want to start competing?
GKJ: My advice to anyone entering the sport and competing would be to relax and enjoy it, don't expect anything and learn from it. With the level of shooting at the comps it can be off putting for newbies competing but with practice and dedication you can compete at the highest level. But the main thing is to enjoy it, it's fun, it's a laugh, it's a learning curve and most of all we've got a fantastic community who are always there to help and encourage newbies..... Get yourself to a shoot and u won't be disappointed.....
CA: What are your thoughts on the rise of target competitions and does he see it developing into competitive sports such as archery with affiliated clubs offering target and HFT?
GKJ: Sure I see the sport growing, that's all it's done for the past 4 years is grow so I have no doubt it will continue to grow.... There's more makers, more groups popping up, more shoots, a better level of shooting and a bigger community than ever.... The sport will without grow, how big who knows? Archery, golf and all other sports had to start somewhere......
CA: As a designer and maker what future plans do you have?
GKJ: I've got a lot of future plans lol....
Lots more stuff in the CNC machine side of things, plastic moulding, casting and all that... One thing I want to get away from is the actual making side of things as that's were most of my time is spent. There's loads of other future plans and some people from the video and TV side of things have been in touch so we'll just have to see what the future brings, my revenue from YouTube is getting good so if like to get out filming more.... At the moment with the likes of the Website, Ebay shop, Emails, YouTube, Facebook groups and pages, and other stuff I'm upto my eyes in it but better to be busy than not ;)
CA: Is making and designing catapults your full time job or a hobby?
GKJ: Yes it's my full time job and had been for over 3 years, fully registered business, own accountant and all that stuff lol..... I was a qualified roofer before but soon realised I could make more money making catapults so made a very big decision and packed the roofing in and went with what I enjoyed, it was without doubt the best thing I've ever done.
CA: How long have you been making catapults? and what's your favourite material to work with?
GKJ: Ive been making them on and off for over 20 year but I'd say I really started making them regular about 10 year ago... Not sure if anyone remembers but I use to sell stuff like naturals and carved horses feet and that stuff on eBay..... Was a way to get a bit of beer money for the weekend lol.....
CA: What's the least thing you enjoy about making catapults?
GKJ: The least thing I enjoy? Well that would have to be that it's a job not a hobby now, it's daunting when you've got to get 80+ frames made and sent a week and on a time limit, it kind of takes the fun out of it but it's got to be done.
CA: What would you be doing if you wasn't making catapults?
GKJ: if I wasn't making catapults it would be building trade id be in, you'd never get me in a office or shop lol....
CA: Are you a Catapult Addict?
GKJ: Let's keep this question simple - YESSSSS !!!!!!!!!
An interview with Derek Rose. Maker and founder of "Derek Rose Slingshots" his page can be found on facebook. Derek is new to the Catapult addicts community group, but is a regular on others. Here's what Catapult addicts got to find out about Derek. In our "get to know the maker" interview...
CA: How old was you and how did you get into catapults?
DR: I first got into cattys with a mate when I was about 13. We made a couple of natruals & used bike inner tube cut into strips for elastic. It would be nearly 40 yrs before I would make another....
CA: What catapult did you first own?
DR: The answer is above really. I seem to remember the innertube was cut so as the pouch was part of the bandset.
CA: what's your favourite catapult and why?
DR: My favourite right now is this simple design. Feels great in the hand,and fits the pocket well. I do have a "bestie" but I rarely shoot it.
CA: As a shooter do you prefer hunting or competition?
DR: Ive never shot anything with a face. If I was hungry I would...But I would be concerned about a clean kill given my shooting......
CA: What has been the best advice you have been given that's helped you become a better shooter?
DR: Best advice Ive had is to choose your anchor point and stick to it....then persevere.
CA: What has been your most important achievement so far and why?
DR: My most important achievement is to see returning customers. it shows they like your work, and I get a great deal of satisfaction from that.
CA: As a designer and maker what future plans do you have?
DR; Future plans are to try developing more designs, and being creative with and incorporating different materials. I cant make the same thing more than a few times...I get bored
CA: Is making and designing catapults your full time job or a hobby?
DR: Most of the last 30 yrs I have been a design & tech teacher, with a bit of time in industry too, although at present I drive a minibus. It is a hobby, but if I can make a few sales, the extra cash is always welcome.
CA: How long have you been making catapults? and what's your favourite material to work with?
DR; I have been making about 3 years. Initially using wood and just a few for myself and my kids to shoot in the garden. It really took off when I had a go at making micarta....the only material I really use now, I like the quality of finish you can achieve, and the endless colour and visual textures you can create.
CA: What's the least thing you enjoy about making catapults?
DR: Laying up the micarta is boring and monotonous and messy, but the worst bit has to be clearing up the workshop afterwards.
CA: What would you be doing if you wasn't making catapults?
DR: If I wasn't making slingshots, I would be making something else...for me its more about the making than the shooting. I make lots of other stuff too.
CA: Are you a Catapult Addict?
DR: Am I an addict ? Im definitely a making addict...this is my collection...I suppose it could be considered an illness, Make up your own mind.