How to Build a Catapult

How to Build a Simple Catapult

2008-05-21T15:08:00.001-07:00

Just ran across this video, and I must say, it's the first how to build a catapult video that shows you the process of making a very simple catapult. It can be done in literally minutes.

How To Build A Simple Catapult - Free videos are just a click away

Have fun!

Click here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

How to Build a Catapult out of Legos

2008-05-20T12:53:00.001-07:00

Well, I can't actually tell you how to build a catapult out of Legos, but I can show you one and tell you where to get it.

You can get the book from Amazon.com. Or you could try to build your own. If anyone comes up with a new idea for how to build a catapult out of legos, please post a comment with a link to the video and/or instructions.

How to Build a Catapult--Some Good Tips

2008-05-19T10:50:00.001-07:00

When you are learning how to build a catapult, it would be well to keep the following tips in mind:

Start small. Big catapults need big structural parts to handle
the counterweights and the spring tensions. The big parts are hard to
deal with.
Big catapults require STRONG structural members,
and typically, softwoods like pine are not good catapult building
materials for any catapult sized to hurl projectiles larger than a
tennis ball. I feel it is best to use steel or hardwood for those
bigger chuckers.
For gravity machines (or trebuchets)
make the pivot on which the counterweight swings as large in diameter
as possible. I've seen thick steel rod bend and warp and become
worthless on a single hurl. Make your pivot rod big, big, big.
Catapults
can be dangerous. I've seen people get knocked on the head by swinging
counterweight. Ouch! Tension and torsion springs are dangerous as well.
They pack a lot of energy and can be dangerous.
For larger models, human powered catapults are a good place to start. They are easier to build and a lot of fun to operate.

This list was taken from the Notes from the Technology Underground blog.

Of course, building a very small catapult wouldn't pose too great a danger of injury, but it is a good idea to keep these tips in mind when making medium to large sized models.

Click here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

How to Build a Catapult From PVC Piping

2008-05-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

I just ran into this really cool video about how to build a catapult out of PVC piping.

Here's the book mentioned in the video: Click on the picture to order the book from Amazon.com.

Click here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

How to Build a Catapult in GMOD10

2008-05-18T10:49:00.001-07:00

There are a few videos on how to build a catapult in Gary's mod, as it's called. Here is the one I like best:

There are other videos available as well. Just go to YouTube and search for "how to build a catapult gmod" and you'll get quite a list of them.

Click here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

How to Build an Ancient Catapult Model

2008-05-16T08:09:00.001-07:00

I just found this brand new blog post--just came in over night--with details about how to build a catapult. The plans are a little more advanced than the glue and popsicle stick versions I shared yesterday, but I know there must be some guys (and girls, too) who would love to use those power tools in the garage, so I want to share the plans with you.

Here's the list of materials and tools needed:

Required Materials:
Wood, 3 pieces, each 12”x1”x½”
Wood, 4 pieces, each 6”x1”x ½”
Wood, 2 pieces, 6”x1”x½” each end to be cut at 45 degree angles (wood should form a trapezoid shape)
2 dozen nails, ½” long
1 large, sturdy rubber band
Eye hooks, 2
Wooden dowel rod, 1/8” width, 5-¾” long.
Flexible piece of material (card board or sturdy paper), 4”x4”
Two tacks, ¼”
Required Tools:
Lightweight hammer
Wood glue or liquid nails
Miter box and saw (for cutting angles)
Angle (for measuring)
Measuring tape
Drill with 3/16” bit

If this sounds like something you could do, then click here to get the instructions.

Hope someone finds these plans on how to build a catapult useful.

Click here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

How to Build a Teeny Tiny Catapult

2008-05-15T15:09:00.001-07:00

How to build a catapult that is very small--small enough to fit into your pocket? Well, take a look at this video I found on Youtube!

Teeny Tiny Popsicle Stick Catapult

I did a little hunting and found the instructions.

Pretty cool, huh?

Click Here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

Using Rubber Bands When Building Your Catapult

2008-05-15T14:50:00.001-07:00

There are a number of ways you can use rubber bands in a catapult. One extremely simple way is to put it on your finger or a stick and put an object at the other end and pull, sling-shot style. However, while this is technically a catapult, this method is not true to the original catapults.

Two ancient types of catapults, the Onager and the Ballista, used twisted ropes for torsion. See catapults.info for more information on these two kinds of catapults. Of course, because it is stretchy, a rubber band can be used in a similar way, and create even more torsion potential than a rope.

In a comment on plans for a simple catapult (see the previous post for the link and a picture), someone made this very interesting observation:

Did you know that if you twist The rubber band it will gather you potential energy witch people use to do with their catapults.

Here's the source for that.

To make this practical, using rubber bands can add tension, or torsion (twisted tension) to your catapult. If you're trying to learn how to make a catapult without plans, hopefully this idea will help get you started.

Click Here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

How to Make a Catapult With a Shoe Box

2008-05-15T13:55:00.001-07:00

It seems that school teachers are forever giving out assignments for students to make a catapult with certain tools. I found this really great one made out of a shoe box, plastic spoon, rubber bands, and a few other things. Here is the picture:

Go here to get the instructions. I would think that you could experiment with substituting equipment, such as glue instead of tape, or Popsicle sticks instead of the pens, etc. If you come up with any workable variations, please post a comment below!

Another design uses a shoe box, two rubber bands, a plastic spoon, scissors, Exacto knife, and masking tape. This design is listed in a teacher's curriculum, and doesn't have a picture to go with it, but it sounds like it could be very educational.

Click Here to see a catalog of catapult kits.

Introducing the How to Build a Catapult Blog

2008-05-15T13:03:00.001-07:00

Maybe you need to learn how to build a catapult for a school project, or maybe you just want to have some fun shooting marshmellows at your friends. Or maybe you’re want to enter a competition and are looking for the best catapult plans. Then you’ve come to the right place. Here we will have simple plans that you can build in a few minutes with things found around the house, as well as information on the history of catapults, tricks of the trade, and many other things.

Please feel free to subscribe to this blog, since we will be adding frequent updates. If there is something you would like to see featured on this blog, please post a comment or send us an email. It is our wish that you will learn everything you need to know about how to build a catapult

Click Here to see a catalog of catapult kits.