How to Make a Trebuchet Out of Paper Clips
A trebuchet is a Medieval siege warfare machine. It resembles a catapult in that it hurls a payload using a trigger and ballast. It differs from a catapult in that the payload is dragged and slung off the trebuchet instead being thrown out of a cup-shaped depression. You can make a working model trebuchet from paperclips, a piece of Foamcore, some tape and a battery for ballast. The project amuses bored office workers and children alike.
Things You'll Need
- Needle-nose pliers
- Scissors
- 8 paperclips
- Tape
- Foamcore square, about 6 inches by 6 inches
- Pencil
- A-cell battery
Instructions
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1
Straighten the paperclips with needle-nose pliers.
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2
Form small loops on one end of each of four of the paperclips. The small loops should be just large enough for a straightened paperclip to fit through. At the other end of these four paperclips, place the needle-nose pliers one-half inch from the end and bend the end at an angle of about 120 degrees. Bend them on the same plane as the loops. Make all the bends the same length and angle. These are the legs.
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3
Bend both ends of a fifth paperclip into hooks that are the same length, are on the same plane, and are pointing toward the middle. In the middle bend a section into a small U shape that has a flat bottom. The width of the flat U should be about 1/4 inch. Make the U on the same plane as the hooked ends but pointing in the opposite direction. This is the axle.
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4
Take a sixth paperclip and form a small loop just as you did in Step 1. Form another small loop the same size about an inch from that one. On the other end, make a small hook shape on the same plane as the loops. This is the arm.
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5
Bend an elongated loop into the middle of a seventh paperclip. The loop should hang down about 1/4 inch from the straightened clip. Now make a U shape on the same plane as the loop just to one side. The U shape should be about 1/4 inch long. This is the trigger.
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6
Insert the axle you made in Step 3 into the inner loop of the arm you made in Step 4. Slide it to the center so that it rests in the flat U shape. Wrap tape around the axle on both sides of the U shape to prevent the arm from sliding off.
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7
Mark the Foamcore with a 3-inch line in the middle, parallel to one side. Draw perpendicular lines on each end of this line all the way across the Foamcore. Now you have a large H-shape. Mark two dots on each perpendicular line 1½ inch on either side of the 3-inch line. This is the base.
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8
Connect two of the legs you made in Step 1 by sliding the angled end of one through the loop in the other until the loops meet. Repeat for the other two legs. Slide the bent ends of one set of legs into the Foamcore at the dots you made in Step 7. Sliding the bent sections parallel to the surface will cause the legs to stand up. Slide the bent ends into the dots on the same line. Repeat for the other set of two legs, sticking them into the dots on the other line. Now you have something resembling a miniature swing set frame. Reinforce each set of legs by looping tape around the bottom between them.
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9
Insert the hooked ends of the axle piece into the small loops at the top of each set of legs. Bend the hooked ends closed.
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10
Insert the trigger you made in Step 5 into the Foamcore along the axis of the 3-inch line where it intersects with one of the perpendicular lines.
Determine which side it will be placed on by swinging the arm so that the hooked end is facing up. Whichever side it is on is where you will insert the trigger. The loop of the trigger should be closest to the trebuchet and sticking up from the Foamcore. The U shape will be closest to you.
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11
Bend the eighth paperclip into a triangle with a hook sticking up at one point. Tape the battery to this triangle by putting tape around the battery and through one side of the triangle opposite the hook. This is the ballast. Hook it to the small loop on the end of the arm. Make sure the ballast does not rest on the Foamcore. Your trebuchet is now ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Make ammunition from wads of paper or other light material. To sling the ammunition, tie a loop of thread onto the ammunition and thread the loop over the arm of the trebuchet. Secure the arm under the loop of the trigger. Lay the ammunition under the trebuchet with the string stretching away from the trigger. Pull the U shape of the trigger toward you to release the ammunition.
Keep your head away from the trebuchet when using it. It moves quickly and can damage your eyes and skin.
Never hurl ammunition from this trebuchet at anyone or any animals. Do not hurl heavy or pointed objects with the trebuchet.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit paper clips image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
