Pocket Sized Minty Catapult

This is my entry for the pocket size contest. This neat little catapult will launch mints or other fun projectiles in a medieval and discrete manner. It only takes about 10 minutes to build, and is really fun. Enjoy.

Step 1 Materials and Tools

All the materials and tools you need for this project can be found around your home.

Materials:

Tin (I used an Altoids Gum tin because it was small and compact)
Coat hanger
Rubber bands
Electrical tape (any tape will do)
Small piece of cardboard
Measuring spoon (or something similar)
Paint (optional)

Tools

Wire cutters
Hot Glue
Scissors
Pliers

Comments

[DIYproductions]

Umm...can you use a blinder clip instead?

[madmea23]

When I made this catapult, it didn't fire very far, I'm not sure if I did something wrong or if it just doesn't fire very far...

[bfk]

Congratulations on your contest win. This thing is totally cool, and I'm off to get a tin of Altoids:)

[Mauigerbil]

Wow. Me gusta. I would use this to launch them in mah mouth. lol

[yousuffarooq]

wait it looks like you live in the uk because of the plug in the glue gun so were did you buy altoids

[Mutantflame]

I live in the UK and I found them in a pharmacy by chance... So have a look around and you'll run into them soon enough. Hopefully.

[rzheang]

couldnt find any altoids.
nice post

[muberblob]

you can get the mints at a guardian drug mart

[scooter76]

Tons online for sale, but I tend to put the word out and friends keep hold of them and pass them on to me..... All the best.

[snipir]

This is absolutely adorable!

[oanderson]

Love this, even better when you use a stationary tin, and just for those of you like me who don't have a hot glue gun, you can just use thick duct tape along the bottom, I put a roll of cardboard covered in duct tape along the bottom, that worked great as a break.

[scooter76]

post some pics, would love to see others take on the project. Thanks for the positive comment. All the best.

[oanderson]

here are my two catapults, as soon as I saw the comment, I took the photo :)

[scooter76]

NICE!!!

[oanderson]

Thanks, with inspiration from this, I build a larger one from scratch out of meccano really powerful, I took it into school and it flings a mint imperial across the classroom, really powerful. I'll get some photos if you like.

[A flyin muffin]

Can you use the foaming gorilla glue if you don't have hot glue?

[scooter76]

Should work fine. give it a go.

[terminator300]

taking it in school might be fun

[jwoo2023]

hit the teacher or principal!

[unrealtron]

Were I live there are no altoids.... But nice post!!

[jwoo2023]

me neither but i used an eclipse tin the long one with a lid on the small side and put a long spring stuck it to a card board rectangle then loaded it in and gave it to my friend.... he opens it.... BAM! The cardboard piece and spring whack him in the face!

[mason0190]

Maybe beans would make better ammo? They 1)are more aerodynamic and 2)more can fit inside the tin.

[mcaldwell1]

your rite

[scooter76]

i used Altoids as the ammo since I was using an altoids tin. The options for ammo are endless. Try one out and post some pics.

[thetaco101]

Darn! My mom just threw my Altoids tin away I'll have to get some soon to make that.

[wito31]

im going to use this to fire sneezing powder
muahahahhahahaha

[thetaco101]

nice dude

[CamillaLuvzMusic]

I just made this, and its FRICKIN amazing!

[tim1]

I thought of something, for the spoon to be powerful enough to go kinda far, it would pop the lid open, wouldn't it?

[oanderson]

It takes a lot more force to open the tin, but the spoon still has a lot of force

[tim1]

thanks!!!!!! :)

[oanderson]

Now, if you haven't made one ... why not? these are great!!

[Mr.Unknown]

you could load it and close the box then ask your friend if he wants a mint. when he opens the box... : D ouch

[Air_Assassin]

Lolz santa is checking his list twice

[cfurykid]

my glue came loose
tip: if you want more of a ark when firing place the rubber bands higher up on the cardbord spoon cover thing

[cfurykid]

I DID IT!!!! EPIC FROZEN PEEZ ARE FUN

[cfurykid]

i failed, bad! my spoon was to big my coat hanger rack thing was to tall. il cut it down and get a dif spoon

[monkeybomb]

that is sooo cool i'll have fun shooting stuff at my brother while hes reading lol

[cranberys]

HOLY CRAP. ar you mcgyver or something? best pocket sized invention EVER

[mattbomb]

hew were'd did yo get that mini vice