How to Build a Catapult

There are already a few large-scale Trebuchet Instructables out there, but for the low-tech medieval enthusiasts, here is the first large-scale catapult Instructable!

This was constructed during my internship @ Instructables this past summer, with
DerangedMoose7, Tetranitrate, and noahw

Oh, and if you were wondering... Yes, "Project X" is finally here.


Camera work done by [www.instructables.com/member/noahw noahw]
Video editing done by [www.instructables.com/member/bofthem bofthem]

Step 1 Acquire Materials

You're going to need:

• 9 - 8' two-by-four's
• 1 - 12' four-by-four
• 3 - 8' four-by-four
• 50' of surgical tubing
• Fiberglass windsurfing pole or a large section of steel pipe (Fiberglass pole preferred)
• 20' thick nylon rope
• 1- 4 ft section of 4" diameter ABS pipe
• 1 -4 ft section of 2.5" diameter ABS pipe
• 2 - 4"-2.5" step down ABS adapter
• T-adapter for ABS pipe
• ABS cement
• 2" X 4' aluminum pipe
• "S" hook
• "U" bolts and nuts
• Large Eye bolts
• 12 - 6" lag bolts
• 3 - 5" carriage bolts, nuts, and washers
• Assorted deck screws (at least 3" long)

Tools:

• Chop Saw
• Reciprocating saw
• Drill Press
• Assorted Drill Bits (including large hole-saw or adjustable spade bit)
• Drill
• Wrenches
• Welder (if using steel pole)

Comments

[Hunting Rapt3r]

Would this be good for pumkin Chunkin :/

[nerd12]

the actual name for this is an "onager". it was used by the Romans and call so because when it finer it jumped like a kicking donkey hence the name. the name was a donkey in old tongue. it is classified as a torsion powered siege engine

[jobard]

This is more like a giant mouse trap with a stopper

[Tin.Man]

Since it seems you don't reply to any messages though I hope you do. I am wondering if you or anyone else knows what to do with the firing mechanism if using fibreglass pipe. Because if a hook is screwed in it, it seems like it would probably break out of it under the strain. Anyone have any ideas what i could do for the firing mechanism? Thanks!

[d4rksaber]

Is it legal? :D

[facilitator476]

legal is never fun

[ryanthomas1998]

how much did this cost

[Kruegem]

not a trebuchet

[Chuck Norris.]

this is not a trebuchet!!!!!!!!

[jocofee]

duhhhhhhh

[mikaelthemycologist]

(removed by author or community request)

[jose1ca]

ha-ha

[BgRdDragon]

You are correct it is a catapult trebuchets have a counter weight

[cookingkid95]

I guess its a type of Onager Catapult

[Fashim]

Whats an Onager Catapult?

[jocofee]

an onager is a catapult that uses tension to launch a projectile, as opposed to a trebuchet that uses counterweights to launch them.

[m456arcus]

It uses a twisted rope for power.

[daninja]

thats what i was thinking too.

[jose1ca]

me too!

[frodobot]

Do you know at what speed the projectile travelled at approx.?

[0087adam]

The Old Trebuchets used ropes as a twist thingy i forget what they are called.

[m456arcus]

Onagers?

[muttyfutty]

I could be wrong, but dont mythbusters shout 'fire in the hole' 3 times? (to the left, to the right, and down the center)

[Kiernan]

I am gonna launch a bunch of airsoft BBs with this thing at my next airsoft game. :D

[0087adam]

did you consider using timber-framing joints and all 4x4. I got some old pallets to cut up and have tons of 4x4 so i think im going to try that.

[#9EJV]

how much it cost to buy all the stuff

[russolo]

How much money and how long will it take to make.

[Tommyhzy]

Depending on where you get your materials and how much experience you have, I'd say $150-$400 and 5-anywhere around 30 hours of hard, manual labour... Cleanup and transportation, etc. take about 20 hours...lol

[jorgef2]

How much money do you spend on all that?

[lil pyro]

What type of range does this thing have?

[T3h_Muffinator]

I think I mentioned it in one of the steps - around 100 yards with a 1-ft long steel pipe (1" diameter)

[Derin]

I remember Bauhaus rented tools Tho i dont think they rent drill bits

[Plasmana]

That is really cool!

[Chimney-Taichou]

what's the cost of this?

[INVADER SCOOGE]

What kind of wood would you use for this?(pine, oak, etc.)

[smeata]

looks good and its a clear instructable. im going to try this after my exams. im going to make the handle larger on my "winding spool" aswell as ratcheting it

[bounty1012]

im trying to construct a giant ballista for a war me and my friends are having

[ninjaimasta]

lol so your gunna be firing basically giant crossbows at each other? Health & Safety issue much? Meh but who's the one trying to use a blowgun to launch firecrackers? (me btw ) lol

[bounty1012]

Exactly my point!

[bounty1012]

lol