Beechwood Chip Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 A friend of mine wants to build a trebuchet as a class project. Something about 10 feet tall, with maybe 100 to 150 yard range. I plan to set him up with some saw horses, a bunch of 2x stock, and hand held power tools: jig saw, circular saw, drill, and driver. He's got some money for wood and hardware. I told him to start by searching the net for plans - no reason to do a lot of trial and error when it's already been done. Anyone have trebuchet plans they could recommend, or experience building a trebuchet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 No plans... but Ours didn't go nearly that far. (one, we built it indoors, two, it was built to scale, three, we didn't use a projectile you can find after launching. The wall was 8 feet from the trebuchet, so I know it didn't go scale distance. Just not sure how close it would have come.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC1501 Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 No but I have launched a few pumpkins with one. Went to a party last year and the guy had one built out of metal. His was simple and it worked ok but think I could build a better one out of wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Years ago a guy in my shop scaled up one from a magazine article about 3 x. 10 lbs of lead threw a rotten piece of fruit well over 100 ft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 There are no moated castles left where I live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Beechwood Chip Posted June 16, 2014 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 There are no moated castles left where I live. That's the next project! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orbb Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 We built trebuchets at a firm retreat as a team-building exercise. They came from a kit and were made out of luan. Threw a golf ball a hundred yards. I would think that a properly constructed 10 foot trebuchet, with appropriate weight, could throw things a quarter mile or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Myth Busters or someone built one to throw a piano. Should find a link if you google. I know there was lots of talk about the wheels. The machine needs to sway for maximum effect. I am on vacation, I'll dig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 http://youtu.be/5WDiW1WDyrA Fantastic on multiple levels. Hand wheel lathe about 25 minutes in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghmyn Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to build one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted June 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 That video was great! A lot of good design details. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mar10 Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Beechwood I have attached two files one is a PDF containing info on the project. The other is a Zip file containing a cut list for my cnc. what file formats can you open ? Washer Toss Project Files [Download zipped files] Trebuchet Designed for ShopBot by TJ Christiansen Overview: This medieval launcher would reek havoc on enemies castles. However, the modern day conversion using 20lbs of weight will easily through a tennis ball the length of a gymnasium. Teach students about history, trajectory, mathematics, etc. Enjoy. Materials:3/4” plywood, 2’ of 5/8” threaded rod, 3’ of 1 1’8” dowel, 12 1/4” dowel pins Minimum Cutting Area: 2 sheets of plywood that measure 4’ x 8’ Bit Size: 1/4” Finishing:Spray paint works great to accent the gussets. A polyurethane coating will cover all of the natural wood and seal it up. Project Files: Trebuchet Tutorial [Download pdf] Trebuchet Project Files [Download zipped files] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Beechwood I have attached two files one is a PDF containing info on the project. The other is a Zip file containing a cut list for my cnc. what file formats can you open ? Thanks! I've got Sketchup at home. At work I've got access to AutoCAD and Solidworks, and probably other stuff. If necessary I could print our views for the kid who's doing the project. I don't want tot do too much for him. Not because I'm lazy, but because it will be a better experience for him. Really. Not laziness at all. I'm only thinking of the children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 ==>wants to build a trebuchet Wonder when they'll become regulated? Now that the ATF has been renamed ATFE, guess they'll have to print new stationary with ATFET... You know, you might just need a Class III FFL to purchase --- and maybe a Class IV to build... But you can just forget about getting a concealed/carry permit for that bad boy Well OK, maybe in Texas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhl.verona Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Perhaps you might want to seek a new circle of friends? (Just an idea) Pacifically yours, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 That video is cool. Didn't watch it all, but that trebuchet looks almost the size of another I saw on Youtube. Some guy in Great Brittain was flinging compact cars across the fields of his castle estate with it. He could toss a cooper mini about 100 yards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I think us Brits have a bit of a thing for trebuchets:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Now that's a trebuchet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Pritchard Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 I've built a very small scale one. The best advice I have is make sure you have good wheels under it - your projectile will go much further with them. We didn't have plans, we just built it on the fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I think us Brits have a bit of a thing for trebuchets:) If I recall my ancient history correctly, weren't your ancestors on the recieving end of some of these machines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 My ancestors have been on the receiving end of most things over the years. The family castle was destroyed during an English raid in 1545. I dare say that they used trebuchets then Recreation of the castle at Bedrule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 My ancestors have been on the receiving end of most things over the years. The family castle was destroyed during an English raid in 1545. I dare say that they used trebuchets then Recreation of the castle at Bedrule Gotta give you guys credit though, a good single malt can get you through most troubling times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 Great video...thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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