subject: Do It Yourself - Build A Catapult [print this page] A catapult is any apparatus used to hurl an object over large spaces without the aid of explosive devices. Catapult was most typically used in wars to hurl rocks, and flaming objects at a besieged city. Even now a catapult is still a very effective mechanism in warfare however, it has been improved from the old siege engines used in medieval times.
If you are interested in catapults and how they work, you can make it a small venture to create one yourself or with a few friends. Here are a few instructions on how you can make a simple catapult using popsicle sticks. The tips here are for a small table-top catapult but a big catapult functions on the same principles and ought to work the same way if you make it with these guidelines.
Required Tools
Masking tape
Scissors
X-acto knife (optional)
Paper about 6 inches square
Required Materials
32 Popsicle sticks
Pencil
Rubber band
Instructions
First it must be noted that if you cannot be troubled to make your catapult from scratch and fuss around to get it perfect. You can go ahead and order a catapult plan or a catapult kit that will include step-by-step instructions, pre-drilled holes, pre-cut wood, and all the nuts, bolts and other pieces you will need for construction.
Spread out a bit of the masking tape with the sticky side turned up and put 2 Popsicle sticks end to end on the tape and push them firmly onto the tape. Take a third stick and lay it on top of the two sticks so that the middle of the third stick is just on top of the ends of the other two sticks below. Wrap the tape firmly around all three sticks at least twice.
Make 2 more of these combinations and put all 3 of them end to end and tape them together, wrapping the tape at least 3 times around each joint. Fold up the sticks into a triangle and ensure all the ends are taped together firmly to make a triangle. Duplicate the method mentioned above and build 2 other triangles for a total of 3.
Hold 2 of the triangles together side by side and tape one wall of them together. Then lay the lone triangle flat on the table and open the untapped ends of the other two triangles and place them right around of the one on the table. The one on the table should slip directly between the spread ends of the two other triangles. Next tape it all together.
Put 3 sticks end to end with 2 sticks on top as was done in the first step and tape them all together to make the arm of the catapult. Then it is time to create the holder of the catapult. You may use a plastic cork if you have one small enough or you can make a cup out of paper, and tape it just about an inch from one end of your catapult arm.
Next wrap one end of the rubber band about the catapult arm just under the cup and tape it in place. Use tape to furthermore lock the other end of the rubber band to the top of the catapult right where all the triangles meet and you"re ready to go! Go ahead and test out your catapult.
Tips and Warnings
Make sure that your catapult arm can move easily or your catapult will not function properly. If the rubber band is too short and you cannot get a larger rubber band you can join together a set of small rubber bands.
Test different rubber band lengths until you get the power that you are working for.
