Play Catapult

Pumpkin catapults, or pumpkin chuckers, are popular items around autumn, especially in October for Halloween. In most cases, the devices are simply large catapults that utilize kinetic energy and tension to launch a pumpkin into the air. The project may be a whole day's undertaking to get everything just right. Household tools should suffice and at least a rudimentary working knowledge of high school physics. After you've set up your catapult you can re-stage historical battles, like when the Greeks shot fire from "catapults [and] made the fierce Hun and Mongol armies turn and run," according to "Backyard Ballistics" by William Gurstelle.

Instructions

1 Take the two 2-inc-by-4-inch pieces of wood and set them on top of each other lengthwise. Measure about half way across the bottom one and mark the area with a pencil. Move the top board so its end is on the line you've drawn and lays flat across.
2 Press the hinge in the space between the two boards, putting it against the end of one of the boards and against the top of the other board. Hold it in place and mark the screw holes on both boards with a pencil.
3 Drill a screw into each hole of the hinge. This should connect the two boards so they stand at an L shape when upright.
4 Drill a hole in the center of the top board to affix the hook. Also drill one in the center of the bottom board between its end and the placement of the top board, for a second hook. Tightly screw the hooks into both holes.
5 Take your 3-inch-by-3-inch piece of wood and sand down the center of it, forming a concave curve for the pumpkin.
6 Attach the holder to the opposite end from the hinge on the top board. Drill through the center of it into the second board until it's far enough down to stay in place.
7 Place a rubber strap with looped ends around each hook. The strap shouldn't be longer than 8 to 10 inches to create the proper tension needed.
8 Drill through the front end of the bottom board into the ground to hold it into place. You might also choose to set something heavy at this end, like an anvil.
9 Pull back the top board and place the pumpkin in the concave curve. Release the catapult with the pumpkin in place when you're ready to fire.

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