Anyone ever built or thought about building a trebuchet?

[Shep]

For cheap weights you might want to consider the cheaper sand filled weights. You can propably buy the plastic molded weights empty then fill with sand. The metal ones will cost some $$ new or used.

[LCHIEN]

one of the neat things about a trebuchet as opposed to other types of catapult - very compact for its capacity, very efficient; safer than a spring or torsion-driven catapult which are kind of dangerous to cock because way the energy is stored. Also they're very accurate and repeatable. one builder told of shooting balls to a catcher who never had to move more than a step, of small ones that could hit a waste basket repeatably over and over.

And its got a cool name.

[Mr__Bill]

Remember the piano toss on Northern Exposure? I have thought about it but have never had an extra piano.

It might be a great way to toss the ball for the dog, I'll have to watch what you guys do for inspiration.


Bill,

[Hoakie]

There is a pumpkin patch near us that launches pumpkins a few hundred yards into a pond each fall. Very cool!!

[gsmittle]

"Anyone ever built or thought about building a trebuchet? "

Only every day. I would make one taller than my house so I can "defend" my land (aka small subdivision parcel) from all points of attack. I also will use a french accent to ward off would-be attackers.

Don't forget to fart in their general direction! Oh, and call them Sons of English Pig-Dogs!!!

I can't find the site right now, but there's some sort of pumpkin-tossing contest in Pennsylvania (?) which has a trebuchet category.

g.

[rjwaldren]

I was flipping channels a while ago and saw an episode of "Little People, Big World" They were restoring the trebuchet that they used on their pumpkin farm - I'd search for the show online for some inspiration. They were using something like a 4'x4'x4' cube of concrete for their counter weight. When the shackles broke giant beams went with them. It was a massive design.

I did help a neighbors daughter with a school project when I was in N Texas. The project was to launch and egg the farthest with the smallest contraption (slingshots where not allowed). We made a a frame with a wooden spoon as the beam and stiff rubber bands provided the force - It was really a catapult modeled after a trebuchet. We were getting at least 40' out of it. Not nearly the 400 yard I got out my last compressed air potato cannon.

[L. D. Jeffries]

I did several years ago. Had an email exchange with a chap in OZ, swapped stories and plans. Mine was about 15" high; used wheel weights melted down for the counter weight. I did work, flinging golf balls about 200 or 300'. But grew tired of it after friends kid got new interest, which was why I built it in the first place, plus making it with scale lumber was fun. One of those time wasters we all do once and a while!

[dkerfoot]

I have a small one - about 4 ft high that I just pulled out of my garage and am wondering if it is finally time to disassemble and burn...

It launches tennis balls pretty good. If I were doing it over again, I would make it sturdier and figure to a way to add more weight. I was somewhat limited by the distance between the sides. I built it primarily with 1 x 2 furring strips and used a paint can filled with sand and then water for the weight.

It is definitely a fun project. My dream is to build a large enough one to launch water balloons at the parade route about 6 blocks away. For some reason, the idea of water balloons pummeling a marching band from over the tops of several blocks of houses makes me laugh...

I recognize the reality probably wouldn't actually be funny, but it is still fun to imagine.

[dkerfoot]

They're kind of expensive thru Amazon or whatever and shipping will kill you.

This is where Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are a beautiful thing. Definitely the best deal going for small, heavy stuff.

[backpacker85]

Thought about it, and built a couple. Our Scout District decided to do some "Punkin' Chunkin'" back in 2001. We had a Catapult Wars theme for the Fall Camporee, and each troop designed and built some type of catapult.

We invited the reigning Punkin' Chunkin' champs to the camporee, and to our surprise, they not only showed up, but brought their machine with them to show us how it was done.

Ours (Troop 85) was one of the tallest, but not the sturdiest. A blast for the Scouts to design & build, and voted best design by the Team Carbo judges.

Hope the link below works.....it's a pretty interesting site.


http://www.onager.net/frmst4.htm

[dbhost]

You know, I dropped into this thread to even see what a Trebuchet is... I'm going out to the shop now...

[gsmittle]

Thought about it, and built a couple. Our Scout District decided to do some "Punkin' Chunkin'" back in 2001. We had a Catapult Wars theme for the Fall Camporee, and each troop designed and built some type of catapult.

I remember doing that with our Scouts at summer camp! Might have been the same year or 2002…

Ours fell apart after the first shot, but several others got some impressive distances.

#2 son wants to build one. I've been promising to for a couple of years now, so I'm taking this thread as a sign to finally do it this summer.

Off to the shop; pics to follow!

g.

[gsmittle]

… My dream is to build a large enough one to launch water balloons at the parade route about 6 blocks away. For some reason, the idea of water balloons pummeling a marching band from over the tops of several blocks of houses makes me laugh...

I recognize the reality probably wouldn't actually be funny, but it is still fun to imagine.

Several thoughts come to mind… As a former Marching Band Drum Line kid, the thought of being pelted with water ballon mortar shots is a little disconcerting. OTOH, seeing the Light Instrument Players (flute players should be required to carry weights equal to the weight of my bass drum) getting pelted in front of me would be hilarious.

The Mischief-Maker in in me LOVES the idea! Then the Responsible Adult wonders about possible injury.

Doug, please don't take the above as criticism—I'm just riffing on the idea you had.

g.

[Wood_workur]

If you thought the bass drums are heavy you should try on the mallets. They weigh about twice as much as our largest bass drum, and the way you support the weight makes it feel like a lot more.

[LCHIEN]

You know, I dropped into this thread to even see what a Trebuchet is... I'm going out to the shop now...

that's a leading line...
Bored and going to do some real work, or
curiosity picqued, and going to build one, too?

Well, don't worry, Unless I build a really humongous one, a Trebuchet in Katy is not going to have the range to hit League City.