How to Build a Small Catapult
Catapults served as weapons of war starting at least as early as 350 BC. Although some claim biblical references to catapults as early as 700 BC, the earliest unambiguous evidence is fourth century BC Chinese catapults that were more like giant crossbows, and a similar design eventually became commonplace in the Roman army as the ballista. Catapults with a swing arm that can fling heavier projectiles for longer distances were not developed until the Middle Ages (around 1200 AD), and were only used for a couple of centuries before they were supplanted by gunpowder and cannons.
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Things You'll Need
- Three pieces of wood, 12 inches by 1.5 inch by 3/4 inch
- Eight pieces of wood, 6 inches by 1.5 inch by 3/4 inch
- Small screws or nails
- Large rubber band
- Two eye hooks
- Wood glue
- Thin metal rod 6 inches long
- Piece of cardboard, 2 inches by 2 inches
Instructions
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1
Secure one of the 6-inch pieces by gluing at a 90 degree angle (projecting straight up) on one of the 12-inch pieces to form one side of the catapult. After the glue dries, screw or nail the boards together to secure them firmly. Repeat the procedure to form the other side of the catapult.
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2
Saw off the ends of two of the 6-inch-long pieces of wood at a 45 degree angle. Secure them diagonally to the sides of the catapult that you made in the prior step to serve as support spars.
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3
Join the two sides of the catapult together using the remaining four 6-inch pieces of wood (again using glue and then screws or nails). Screw one of the eye hooks dead center in the front of the frame.
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4
Make your catapult arm using the last 12 inch piece of wood. Drill a hole about 1/2 inch from the end. The diameter of the hole should be just slightly greater than the diameter of your metal rod. Screw one of the eyes hooks into the side of the board about 3 inches from the other end of the board. Fold up and glue the 2-inch-by-2-inch piece of cardboard to form a catapult cup and glue it to the board directly behind the eye hook (where you will hook the rubber band.)
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5
Apply a dab of glue to both sides of the metal rod to help secure it. Thread the metal rod through the catapult arm and then connect the catapult arm to the base by snapping in the metal rod between the two inside surfaces of the catapult frame. String the rubber band between the eye hook at the front of the frame and the eye hook just below the catapult cup.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful when using your catapult. While this is a small tabletop catapult, it can still fling small projectiles as far as 12 to 15 feet.
References
- Photo Credit Medieval Catapult image by Dario Corno from Fotolia.com
