The Office supplies trebuchet

Step 4 The axle

Next, shape the axle. Make it so that the distance between the hooked ends is about 2". It should be wider than your intended ballast. The V shape (U shape in this case. Needlenose pliers are best for this sort of thing) must be central on the axle.

Comments

[grasshopper14]

i looked up pictures of a wire bender on google, and it looks much easier than the pliers. i know i had a sore thumb trying shape them with the pliers.

[Manax]

I made mine with the V shape recommended here, but it seems like an actual "v" shape might work better, as my arm kept sliding over to one side or the other.

[Scissorman]

Yeah, sorry about that. I had some difficulty getting a good V shape with the pliers I was using. A proper V would be best.

[rcousine]

You know, for all this paper-clip shaping you might be even better off with a tool called a wire bender: some examples here, but I know my father has a mini wire-bender that consists of a few metal pegs in a base, and the base also has channels for some basic wire forms (straightening, et cetera).