I built it it, looked good. I fired a small lego piece and went about 30cm....
Help?

I did a trebuchet 10 years ago with lego too, cause I saw a TV show about mens who build one real size. They had a lot of problems until they mount it on wheels. I tried it also with very goog results. Wheels allow the counterweight to fall in a straight line and the arm to be more powerful !

i like it it is good

Looks nice. I'd try shortening the throwing arm. The reduction in weight might get you more distance.

I made a Quick-n-Dirty - no tools, no plans, no cutting, no drilling, no lumber, no hardware trebuchet. Many people will have the supplies in their house right now.

It consistently throws 12-15 feet. With a heavier weight it hits the wall at 20' and that's my biggest room. I'll have to find a bigger space to check the range.

It's made of 9 chopsticks, 2 toothpicks, two rubber bands, 3 paper clips, a weight, some string and masking tape.

I published it last night but it doesn't seem to be available yet.
http://www.instructables.com/id/ELS7AFBF5R8MQQU/

The videos are already available at Google. First one is the machine firing close up. Second video is the machine firing, where you can watch the projectiles land about 13 feet away.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7177348096653267453&pr=goog-sl
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3765857587744240299&pr=goog-sl

what are all the pieces needed to make the trebuchet?

Its cool but its really not a trebuchet. First of all a trebuchet ALWAYS has a sling.No sling,no trebuchet. and also in a real trebuchet the weight is suspended in such a way that it always stays level and never changes angles. good instructable though.

Mar 8, 2008. 2:11 PMunclemilfordsays: You need to allow it to roll. Put wheels on it and preferably some track to keep it rolling forward and backwards. Physics will do the rest of the work. I dont understand, this will only help if you have an continous ammo supply

You need to allow it to roll. Put wheels on it and preferably some track to keep it rolling forward and backwards. Physics will do the rest of the work.

yeah i reinforced it i fired it about 10 times then it overthrew itself ........again

it needs a clearer picture of the 2nd step i recommend collared bricks

Can you finish this off with the string/sling thing? I managed to fling Lego men a few feet in this way, might rebuild it... L

Nice work!

I've never seen a trebuchet that used a rigid arm instead of a flexible sling. However, my understanding of "trebuchet" is that it means a gravity-powered catapult-- so seems that this one does fit the definition. (Does anyone else have an opinion on that subject?)

Anyway, here is my version of the Lego trebuchet.

when i made a trebuchet instead of a counter weight i used a rubber band and i was able to fling lego bricks like 16 feet away and atleast 6 feet high

move the weight down further from the pivot point, around a 2 to 1 ratio- the longer part of the arm is twice as long as the shorter part. this should add some power+range. good design! i can never make the legs strong enough.

YAY! We love our lego! I'm getting kinda sick of K'NEX. + Rating!