High Plains Atlatl


I found this image at the World Atlatl Association website. t's a BPS Engineering design.

Material:
Wood, 22" x 3/4" x 3/4"
or Dowel, 3/4" x 22"
Dowel, 3/8" x 1 1/2"
(2) Leather Straps, 1" x 8"
Leather for wrapping handle, 1" wide x 24"
Artificial Sinew

Construction:

• Starting 7" from the handle end, taper it to 1/2" square at the peg end (or 1/2" diameter if using a dowel).
  
  
• Cut off the peg end at a 45 degree angle.
  
  
• Cut a groove into the peg end, about 1/8" deep by 3/8" wide, running down the slope.
  
  
  
  
• If you're using the square block, round off all the edges and make the shaft as round as possible.
  
  
• Sand it smooth.
  
  
• Round/taper one end of the dowel. Glue it into the groove with about 1/4" sticking out of the bottom, then wrap it with sinew and coat it with glue so it dries solid.
  
  
  
  
• Starting 6" from the handle end, glue the ends of the leather straps on either side of the atlatl.
  
  
• Wrap the handle strap around both ends and glue it in place.
  
  
• Wrap the handle strap under the loop straps for the finger grip.
  
  
• Using 3" of the handle straps, form a loop on either side. Lay the remaining lengths along the side of the atlatl, and cover it with the handle strap, wrapping all the way to the bottom. Glue it in place.
  
  

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