DMD Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 As I alluded to in another thread, I bought a trebuchet kit for my son for Christmas. This is the model kit that I purchased and built. It is about three feet tall or so and cost about $90. The cool thing, besides throwing stuff, is that some middle schools allow kids to use these for science projects since they demonstrate various physic principles (kinetic energy, centrifugal force, etc.) and it is also something cool for a history project since the trebuchet (cantilevered catapult) was the primary seige weapon for about 300 years before the whole gunpowder thing. If anyone should ever want to build one like this, I have PLENTY of tips and advice learned from the process of building mine because as always the instructions were confusing and left much to be desired. Since the wood is very hard, it also tended to break off screws before completely seated. We just got back from taking the guys from the neighborhood up to a football field and trying it out. I could hurl a golf ball maybe 200 or so feet in the air with an additional 100 feet or more of roll. It used ten pounds of counterweight. If you have a kid that may think building a catapuly would be cool, this was pretty fun and the boys all loved it. But it was a lot more work than you may think though mainly because I had to learn as I went. I could probably build it in half the time now easily. Because of drying time for glue, it takes a couple of days and maybe three or four hours to build. Maybe less if you are really good with tools and take my advice on how to build it. Pretty fun and hey - beats the hell out of the kids sitting in front of an X-box on a nice afternoon. The plans for building one of these is just $14.95 but you would invest notable time getting the right wood and cutting it all. There are about 40 pieces or so to cut to size. We made it a great afternoon - besides firing the trebuchet, we started the day out with the mentos/soda trick I saw here on the tailgate. One word of advice on that - take the bottle from out under the eaves of the house. It REALLY works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualung Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 One word of advice on that - take the bottle from out under the eaves of the house. It REALLY works well. 1269945[/snapback] I take it you didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Screw the 3 foot version....Now I want to build a big one just to see how far I can fling a cow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 This model can only use up to 15 pounds of counterweight they said. But it is all a matter of scale. I'm thinking if I tripled the proportions of everything, I could throw some far heavier things much farther. If I ever find some decent land in the country to buy, I would seriously consider building a big one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 I take it you didn't. 1269963[/snapback] errr... evidently not quite far enough away from it. I was concerned that the explosion would not be as good because the bottle was not hot (it was room temperature, not refrigerated) but it worked exactly like it did in that video. Maybe just two inches of soda left on the bottom when it is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I could sure use one of those around the greens the next time I play golf. Can I borrow yours??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualung Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I could sure use one of those around the greens the next time I play golf. Can I borrow yours??? 1270087[/snapback] Phew! I thought you were going to say at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 (edited) That thing looks very cool. I also plan on the mentos experiment (as soon as it warms up a little bit here). This got me to thinking about the telescope I told you guys that Santa brought for my daughter. Here's a pic to give some perspective of how big the thing is. I'm such an idiot. Telescope Edited January 17, 2006 by Puddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 That thing looks very cool. I also plan on the mentos experiment (as soon as it warms up a little bit here). This got me to thinking about the telescope I told you guys that Santa brought for my daughter. Here's a pic to give some perspective of how big the thing is. I'm such an idiot. Telescope 1270285[/snapback] Man - does she use that thing to look in the windows of the international space station? I can only imagine what will happen when your kid wants a go kart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 (edited) Man - does she use that thing to look in the windows of the international space station? I can only what will happen when your kid wants a go kart. 1270301[/snapback] I don't know how to use it yet. We finally had a clear night a few days ago so I took it out and tried to see stuff. Nothing but blackness. And yes I had the lense cap off. I guess I'm going to have to join an astronomy forum to become even geekier than I am. Oh and the link won't work. Edit: It works now. Edited January 17, 2006 by Puddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualung Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 (edited) Wow Puddy that's a biggin'. And the link works for me. Edited January 17, 2006 by aqualung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 That thing looks very cool. I also plan on the mentos experiment (as soon as it warms up a little bit here). This got me to thinking about the telescope I told you guys that Santa brought for my daughter. Here's a pic to give some perspective of how big the thing is. I'm such an idiot. Telescope 1270285[/snapback] Puddy..Your the best.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Wow Puddy that's a biggin'. 1270323[/snapback] I hear that all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Bill Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 That thing looks very cool. I also plan on the mentos experiment (as soon as it warms up a little bit here). This got me to thinking about the telescope I told you guys that Santa brought for my daughter. Here's a pic to give some perspective of how big the thing is. I'm such an idiot. Telescope 1270285[/snapback] Jeeminy Christmas! That thing is huge! Post some pix if you ever get that scope up & running. Great gift! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 (edited) I told this story once before, but she still believes in Santa. She ran into the room on Christmas morning and said very hurriedly..."Mom, Santa brought Ethan his bike...and I got something that's really big....I don't even know what it is....I, I think it's a cannonball shooter." F'n cracked me up all day. Edited January 17, 2006 by Puddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Bill Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 And the trebuchet is pretty cool too. They could use those in Cedar Point's parking lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 No wonder Puddy's daughter thought it was a freaking cannon. The trebuchet looks pretty cool too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualung Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I told this story once before, but she still believes in Santa. She ran into the room on Christmas morning and said very hurriedly..."Mom, Santa brought Ethan his bike...and I got something that's really big....I don't even know what it it....I, I think it's a cannonball shooter." F'n cracked me up all day. 1270333[/snapback] Hlarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 That thing looks very cool. I also plan on the mentos experiment (as soon as it warms up a little bit here). This got me to thinking about the telescope I told you guys that Santa brought for my daughter. Here's a pic to give some perspective of how big the thing is. I'm such an idiot. Telescope 1270285[/snapback] Jeez. I bet AAA had to send TWO guys out to set that thing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Jeez. I bet AAA had to send TWO guys out to set that thing up. 1270377[/snapback] American Astronomy Association Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Jeez. I bet AAA had to send TWO guys out to set that thing up. 1270377[/snapback] American Astronomy Association 1270386[/snapback] Bassturds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 American Astronomy Association 1270386[/snapback] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSab Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Good stuff guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Oh and the link won't work. Edit: It works now. 1270315[/snapback] No it don't. But the are looking into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selly Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Dune Buggy This is the dune buggy I'd like to buy my boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.