DIY: Build a Onager Catapult

Ever since Northern Exposure, I've been a Trebouchet fan--

Jim

Ah, the Pumkin Chunkin Annual Contest for such devices is only two months away

My boy and I homebrewed one for a school science fair project of his a few years ago; it was only about 9" long but would happily throw things

As for trebuchets, there's a nice one at Warwick castle in the UK, complete with winding treadmills, for anyone who happens to ever be over that way.

Jules

So here is the results of this afternoon in the shop.

I ripped a 2x down to 1x1s. The older one watched safely out of the way with safety glasses and ear muffs. Then he learned to read a tape measure as we marked and cut to length. We also had to make a Lowes run to pick up screws and the gate latch.

Then the three of us took turns spreading glue, drilling pilot holes, and driving screws. Grandma donated a wooden spoon to use as a throwing arm. That worked great.

As built, the pecan comes off the arm in very flat trajectory. You can double the range by tilting the front up so the pecan comes off at about 45 degrees. It wouldn't be hard to built a frame base to make that happen.

I know you often say "It's for the children" sarcastically. Not this time.

Thanks, Doug

Neat little project, but I don't get the wheels. What? Gonna be drawn by a team of hamsters? Gonna enter it in a Pinewood Derby, driven by Baron Otto Matic? ;)

"You can do it, Tom boy" nb

That does look fun. I don't have a wood shop, and I don't have two grand sons. But, if I did, I'd sure build one of these. Looks like the kids are having fun. And, it doesn't have electronic screen, and runs on lots of batteries. Just good old imagination.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

So here is the results of this afternoon in the shop.

I ripped a 2x down to 1x1s. The older one watched safely out of the way with safety glasses and ear muffs. Then he learned to read a tape measure as we marked and cut to length. We also had to make a Lowes run to pick up screws and the gate latch.

Then the three of us took turns spreading glue, drilling pilot holes, and driving screws. Grandma donated a wooden spoon to use as a throwing arm. That worked great.

As built, the pecan comes off the arm in very flat trajectory. You can double the range by tilting the front up so the pecan comes off at about 45 degrees. It wouldn't be hard to built a frame base to make that happen.

I know you often say "It's for the children" sarcastically. Not this time.

Thanks, Doug

On Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:52:51 -0500, Douglas Johnson wrote in Re Re: DIY: Build a Onager Catapult:

Good one. I like the use of the wood spoon.

Two answers. I mean, how you besiege a sand castle without wheels? Tell me that.

More seriously, the plans showed wheels, the boys wanted wheels, so we got wheels.

-- Doug

They need a team of strong toy oxen to pull the catapult around.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

Two answers. I mean, how you besiege a sand castle without wheels? Tell me that.

More seriously, the plans showed wheels, the boys wanted wheels, so we got wheels.

-- Doug

replying to Douglas Johnson, Anonymous wrote: I don't know what the hell the wheels were for?!