How to Make a Life-Size Trebuchet
If you have a hankering to recreate a giant trebuchet so that you can catapult peas, limes or other small objects like golf balls 50 feet or more, then you're ready to learn how to make a life-size trebuchet. While you won't fend off any marauding invaders with your trebuchet, you might impress your friends -- and you'll certainly have a conversation starter when you show it to others.
Things You'll Need
- Life-size trebuchet kit
- Glue
- Utility knife
- 720 pennies
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Two - 10 days
Instructions
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1
Purchase a trebuchet kit that contains pre-cut pieces of wood or cut your own pieces, understanding that you may save time and money by purchasing a kit that includes all the materials you need to build your own giant trebuchet.
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2
Procure a clean, spacious work area and lay out all of the more than 140 pieces on a flat surface. Assemble the throwing arm and support legs first. Lay the two pieces on top of each other and wrap the supplied rope around them in five evenly spaced spots, including one wrapping at either end. Use a utility knife to cut the rope after each wrapping. Glue or staple the rope ends to the wooden throwing arm.
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3
Connect the supplied wooden bolts from the base of the throwing arm to the top of three-piece triangle shaped support legs. Set the arm throwing assembly aside.
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4
Assemble the base frame for the trebuchet. Attach wheels to the rear of the base with supplied base leg stands and wooden toggle bolts. Build up the two side arms, which form the vertical frame of the trebuchet. Assemble the vertical triangular frame first, followed by the outward-facing side support beams.
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5
Assemble the counterweight box and fix it into place on top of the rear wheel assembly. Fit the throwing arm assembly on top of the counterweight box. Secure the throwing arm to the side vertical support assembly with provided wooden bolts that run from the side assembly and through the middle of the first two wrapped rope sections on the throwing arm.
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6
Assemble the rope pulley system that will facilitate the launching of the golf balls or other small wooden objects you load into the finished trebuchet. Complete the final details of the trebuchet kit by attaching the small wooden pegs with supplied rubber bands to the wheels and outward-facing arms on the side vertical supports. Fill the counterweight box with precisely 720 pennies to achieve maximum throwing distance.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Medieval Catapult image by Dario Corno from Fotolia.com
