Today we’ll be setting aside the circuits and solder for a little while in favor of good old fashioned wood and bungee chords to make this backyard catapult. Items needed include nine sections of 2×3 wooden beams of varying lengths, some screws and eye hooks, a bungee chord, a broom handle, and a few other things which are all detailed in the read link below.
Here’s a quick summary version of the four pages of instructions: First the 2x3s must be cut to their proper lengths. The two 24-inch beams must then be drilled to create pivot holes. Notches should then be cut into them with a saw. The same should be done to two 14-inch beams, which will allow them to be fitted to the 24-inch beams at a right angle. With the two 7 1/2-inch beams, the six beams make up the base of the catapult and two support arms extending upward. Two more beams, a crossbar and angled beam, are added to complete the support system, leaving it prepped to add the swing arm.
The swing arm is a 28-inch beam with the broom handle running through a hole in the bottom and a cardboard cup at the top. The broom handle will also run through the pivot holes in the base. The bungee chord should be stretched from an eye hook on the swing arm and one on the base. The strength of the catapult can be adjusted by using a stronger bungee or adjusting the height of the crossbar. For slightly more complex mechanics, bearings can be added to the pivot points to ensure smooth and efficient energy transfer.
[via DIY Life]
umm, not really a hack. Maybe if you put a wifi remote firing mechanism or something on there, but as it stands it’s just some scrap 2×4’s and a bungee cord…
based on the configuration in the picture, that bungie’s not going to last long.
This seams like alot of effort to build something significantly less effective than even a human arm.
Catapults can be interesting, but when real hackers want to launch something, we reach for our air cannons: http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll403/wolf12886/DSCN0392.jpg
What is this? Like its just a catapult. Haha its just a basic design, not even a hack on a catapult design. Add a computer to control the catapult from your computer and measure the physics of the launch then you have a hack…but even that is worthless. When did hack a day stop being relevant?
Why does everyone have to comment about something not being a hack? Yes, I know this is Hack a Day, but they have already provided 1 hack today. Everything that follows is just a bonus for our amusement. You people fail to see that we now have 3 to 6 posts in a day as apposed to the 1 post of before. More content is a good thing. If you don’t care for it, then just ignore it and move on.
bergo, did you even read the article? It states that they are 2×3’s =P
agreement with onlysix in #4
a box? did this guy seriously use road runner cartoons as his blueprints?
real g’s use slings in their catapults, don’t even get me started on the linear bungee cord, he should have used torsion from several bungess.
seige machines. it’s serious business.
@1, in agreement with 5,
Using 2×3’s makes it a hack. Not-a-hack would have used 2×4’s.
No one likes a hater. If this was 1200AD this would be a total hack.
Love hack-a-day. Keep it up.
Fun Fact/Question:
What are the dimensions of a 2×4??
Have you guys not noticed that the black & white photos with the tape on the corners == hack?
Everything else is just cool/interesting stuff, that is perhaps on topic with some other post/hack…
Catapults are nice, but I personally prefer Trebuchets…
at least give us some plans for a trebuchet!!
I don’t think juan knows how to find hacks.
A new siege engine design could be a worthy post. A poorly implemented and inelegant one is just bothersome.
agree with netdigger on the fact that a 10 year old could do it. And I believe it is onager, meaning wild ass, describing the “kick” that the machine gives. ogre is a mythical creature such as shrek.
Seconded ^^^
Hey everybody, welcome to craftaday! Next on the agenda…how to decorate your toilet seat with elbow macaroni and a hot glue gun. Fun!
At this rate I’d might submit my trebuchet which is made only from various types of computer memory boards. That would be 1. a more effective design of siege engine and 2. more of a hack. Yes that item does infact exist, but I will not bother you with it really.
2×4 actual dimensions 1.5″x3.5″
not a hack… agree with #15
alright I just have to do it.. sry had, but here it goes.
http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chipgm5.jpg
megcsináltam a szarodat, vazze’ … hát mit mondjak, nem passzol a terepasztalomra :s
A magyar várak vaskos falai ezt kiröhögték volna az ezerötszázas években, te f@sz !
Thanks for the post, I came across
Your encounter the teachers offer on the student has been invaluable. You might discover the item impossible to understand woodworking not having all the information in addition to expertise the fact that you will get from a woodworking teacher.
can u just give a list of materials and the directions to make it? its for a project
I don’t think that a 10 year old boy can make this alone as effortlessly as you guys put it. Handsawing wood is a real pain if you have scrawny little arms.
itt idot vesztegetni sokkal jobb mint dolgozni. lol
What a great idea. I was looking for just such a simple design for a catapult to build with my five-year old son. We are having a party next weekend and need one so that the “kinder men” can launch rotten eggs down the hill in the back yard. Simple and quick for a busy mom to build – perfect. Thx
Thx this will be helpful in my school project
2018 anyone?
I think this is a nice simple catapult that construction teachers can use as a project for the kids :>