In this Instructable, we'll guide you through the creation of a simple yet powerful mini catapult that can launch small objects with surprising force. Whether you're a throwing things enthusiast, a physics lover, or just someone who enjoys a good DIY project, this catapult will make you have too much fun and take you to a journey of how to create something on your own. With readily available materials and step-by-step instructions, you'll have your own miniature catapult up and running in no time. So, gather your supplies, unleash your inner engineer, and let's catapult into action.

Supplies

Support: 5 thin square wooden sticks 50 cm
Support: 4 thick wooden squares
Tension makers: 3 bungee ropes
Glue 5000
50 cm PVC tube
PVC Tee Tube same measurement as your PVC tube
MDF 3 mm

Step 1: ¿Which Style?

As first we had to take the important decision of taking the model of our super catapult, there are a lot of models and types of catapults but it important for you to decide for a model that's fits with your materials and also the one that you like the most, because no matter the design you should know you are able to make it yourself.

Step 2: Base of the Catapult

After deciding for a model, we should start to take action and use our materials to begin in the catapult's construction.

First of all we should start with the most important part of this launcher and it is clearly the base and support of our catapult.

For the creation of this catapult we will have to take the four thick wooden sticks , and as they are shaped as rectangles, we will take the sticks and place them right at each corner of each other rectangular stick, just as how the image looks 😉.

Step 3: Sides of the Catapult

This step will be the continuation of the creation of the support and base.

As next step we should take two thin sticks of 50 cm, also square shaped, and screw them from the corner of the thin stick and the inside side of the square base.

Just as it seems in the illustration.

Step 4: Center

As we need something something that stops the launch stick from spinning, we should use a stick that will be places just in the centre of the catapult joining each side of the catapult.

Also, we know you are asking yourself why do have to stop the launch-stick from spinning and the reason of this application on the catapult is the next step.

Step 5: Foothold

We will surely need a foothold for our stick-launcher to be moving side to side, so we will use a rope, and I we know that a rope might not sound good but if we round our rope from corner to corner creating a square we could take our launch stick and place it right at the middle of the two parallel ropes. Then if we start doing circles with the tube and the two ropes twisting around, after enough circles we will be able to create the tension sufficient for the stick-launcher to be equilibrated in the air.

Don't forget to tighten enough the rope from the loose side, we recommend to round the loose side minimum 3 times.

Just as we can see it in the image.

Step 6: The Tension Makers

After creating a foothold we will need to make the tension makers.

This are mostly the most important part for our ball to be thrown away very high. This tension will occur in one side of the catapult.

For us to sustain the tension in one sided of the base. We will screw two metal rings by the side of the base, justa as it looks in the images.

Step 7: The Tension Makers Part Two

Then we will place a PTEE of PVC right at the corner that points down, you can use the glue to stick them strong, it should resist the tension. Also it will have to look like the 1st image.

After the glue is already dry, we will take two flexible ropes with hooks at each side just at is seem in the 2nd image, and place each hook through each ring. Also you should pass the rope through the TEE tube ,just by the large part, you can close one hook In case it doesn't pass because of the size.

Each hook should be holding from each ring already placed, and because of the rope passing through the large part of the PVC TEE it will have to create some tension if you start to pull down the tube by the opposite side of the catapult, theoretically if you pull down creating sufficient tension as soon as you let go, the tube will turn the other way quickly.

This is because the foothold will be tensed enough for it to be holing the tube in the air because of the tension in the middle.

As soon as you let go the tube will turn the to other side very fast we promise.

Step 8: The Ball Holder

For the construction of this catapult and for the construction of any catapult one element that is very helpful is to make the holder for the projectiles. In case your are adding it you should know it will be very helpful for the ball to be maintained until its launch.

We decided to 3d print ours, that's because we had to do on purpose any element of the catapult, using the method of 3d printing.

Finally we screw it right at the middle of the cup and through the corner that points upwards of the tube.

Step 9: Reinforcement

For our catapult to be strong enough to throw very hard, it will be necessary for us to make it very strong, that's why we decided to add some reinforcements, in that way the catapult will resist and will stop the tube without any issue.