Trebuchets were constructed in ancient times for war but today people build them for recreational purposes. A simple trebuchet can be made using the following guidelines:
Materials:
Two triangular wood pieces measuring six inches, a straight eighteen inch piece of wood measuring six inches thick, two straight fourteen inch pieces of wood one inch thick, two twelve inch sticks one inch thick and three six inch sticks one inch thick. A heavy object is such as a rock can be used as a counter weight. Other requirements are a scrap cloth, small nails and screws, hooks, wires, cardboard, metal post and masking tape.
Constructing the Trebuchet
- Lay the fourteen inch piece of wood horizontally on its side.
- Measure a distance of fourteen inches from one end and put a mark on it.
- A twelve inch piece is attached at the marked point in a vertical manner making the two pieces look like an ‘L’.
- One of the triangular pieces is added to the vertical and horizontal piece using either glue or screws or glue.
- The other fourteen inch, twelve inch and triangular portions are assembled together much in the same way as the above steps and the measurements have to be the same. The will be used for the sides of the trebuchet.
- The two assembled pieces are joined together by placing a six inch piece on each of the horizontals and they are attached with a six inch wood screwed to the ends. Another piece is attached adjacent to the verticals. They attached pieces act like bridges between two sides.
- Measure two inches from the top part of the vertical and put a mark. At this point drill a hole.
- For the arm and eighteen inch piece of wood is marked three inches from one end and a hole made. A hook is put at the very end of the piece of wood. Secure a counter weight using a string or tape.
- The pouch for holding the projectile can be made from the scrap cloth by tying its outer points. It is then secured with a nail on the arm.
- The metal pole is then inserted through the arm and the holes in the upright pieces to joint all the components.
- A card board can be glued to the bottom part of the structure
Once the trebuchet is completed it is tested by placing an object in the pouch and when the counter weight is raised, the arm is released to fire the projectile.