Launch It: The Paper Catapult.

Launch It: The Paper Catapult.
Give all your classmates or co-workers copies of the template - declare war over lunchtime...
 
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Step 1Materials and tools

Materials and tools
This is a cut-out-and-make Instructable.

You need a copy of the template (I work to A4), a cocktail stick, scissors and a glue-stick to make each catapult (though sticky tape may be useful for battle-field repairs). A cutting mat is a lot of help if your work bench is a s rough as mine (my mat is marked in 1cm squares, which gives you an idea of the sheer size of this great weapon).

New for 2009, at no extra cost! A redrawn PDF file of the template is now attached to this step!

The ammunition can be anything that will fit in the catapult's bucket - paper balls, the rubbers off pencils. I shot Tic Tacs at my class - if they caught them before they hit the floor, they ate them.

Safety

A pad of paper towel or modelling clay will stop you skewering yourself when you poke the necessary holes in the paper.

Full personal safety precautions can be seen in the video in step five.
Catapult template.pdf(596x842) 60 KB
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302 comments
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Jul 17, 2011. 11:44 AMJimKelleher says:
This is a great project. However, my son and I soon tired of of launching bits of crumpled paper at each other. That's when I realized the bucket was the perfect size for a 'kibble' (nugget of dried dog food). The kibble was such a great projectile that we needed to change our launching position so that we could fire down the hallway. Needless to say, Molly (the family dog) loves this project the most.

A couple of comments about my build. Here in the US I printed it out at 95% onto card stock, 35 lb paper instead of 20 lb copier paper.
I 'score' my crease lines with a single heavy pass with a ball point pen and a steel ruler as a guide.
I rough cut the pieces with a pair of scissors and finished them off with a sharp utility knife, steel ruler and a plastic cutting board.
I used a white school glue applied to the tabs with a small paint brush.
I folded most of the creases with the lines inside to make a cleaner model. Except for the throwing arm, needed the Instructables.com writing on the outside.

Cheers,
Jim
Jul 15, 2011. 6:31 AMreddevved says:
I don't know why but I can see the pdf template and I am not a Pro Member. Could be a glitch or I am just that awesome(like you).
Jul 15, 2011. 10:07 AMreddevved says:
Oh I thought I was just glitched.
May 16, 2011. 10:09 AMsgriffin4 says:
I can't download the PDF because I'm not a registered member :/
Jul 19, 2010. 9:03 PMa_person says:
for astetic reasons one of the instructables logos is backwards on the throwing arm
Dec 19, 2010. 1:12 PMlunius says:
I noticed that too... It bugged me throughout the building process...

Kiteman, I'm going to put a mod on my catapult and perhaps make an 'ible for it, but I will point out that it is merely a mod, and that your genius is the cause for this amazing work of art :D
Oct 27, 2010. 7:00 PMHoudinipeter says:
Being on instructables for a few years now, I have looked at this project so many times. But never got around to making one for myself.

Today my physics teacher took the suggestion of making these in class. He had the whole class making their own catapult so we could learn more about projectiles.

Thank you so much Kiteman! and thank you instructables!
Aug 24, 2010. 9:20 AMhintss says:
I made 2, and an openSCAD model. the openscad should be 3d printable. not sure if it fits in the build envelope of a makerbot, but it should fit on a reprap also, great catapult, 2 built, 2 ready to be built oh, and I trimmed the toothpick so it dedn't stick out
Aug 25, 2010. 4:30 PMhintss says:
haven't you heard of the makerbot? (makerbot.com) I don't have a 3d printer, but I put the files on thingiverse, and someone promised to build it. also, the updated files are on thingiverse, at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3899 and its 1base, 1 arm, and add your own toothpick. not sure if the arm fits on the makerbot build platform, though...
Aug 24, 2010. 10:28 AMhintss says:
I put them up on thingiverse
Jul 20, 2010. 4:25 PMa_person says:
this is an excellent catapult especially for being made out of paper
May 31, 2010. 6:28 AMJcBeaver says:
I really like this catapult! It's awesome!
May 31, 2010. 6:20 AMJcBeaver says:
Thanks for the template
May 29, 2010. 3:01 AMKratos121 says:
I added some wheels and made it out of wood.... it looks sooo sick... unfortunately I cant take a picture but anyway thanks for great instructable
Feb 2, 2010. 1:10 PMstitches22 says:
i just found the perfect woodshop project, 1 inch = 1 foot. i already started it and its lookin pretty sick
Feb 15, 2010. 11:22 AMstitches22 says:
 im not sure if my shop teacher would exactly let me, but ill try anyway
Jan 26, 2010. 12:23 PMQuenbo says:
On the computer made template the wide top and bottom flaps are joined with a solid line (telling me to cut it off) just thought i'd say :D so far so good for me thanks for the instructions
Jan 30, 2010. 6:34 AMQuenbo says:
i glued a paper box like this onto the side of my catapult for an ammo box. I'm planning on making more modifications to make my catapult more personal :)
220px-Paper_box_19.jpg
Jan 26, 2010. 1:25 PMLithium Rain says:
You pirate software?

:(
Jul 20, 2010. 7:37 AMa_person says:
use inkscape it is basicly free coreldraw/adobe illustrator for free
Jul 20, 2010. 3:57 PMa_person says:
glad i could help a master instructables-er
Jul 21, 2010. 8:57 PMa_person says:
Ya really!
1-40 of 302next »

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Author:Kiteman(The Complete Kiteman Shop)
"Happiness is a shed full of power tools." If you need help around the site, or with a project, feel free to contact me.