Play Catapult

Thousands of years ago, armies used catapults to fend off enemies and attack well-protected castles and walled cities. A homemade catapult is not as powerful as those designed for war, but it still packs quite a punch. Some catapults can fling objects over 80 yards. The homemade catapult's wooden frame and a taut bungee cord allows you to send small objects flying. A homemade catapult makes an ideal backyard toy or science project for school.

Instructions

1

Use a marker to draw a small hole 3 1/2 inches from the end of each 24-inch 2-by-3 board.

2

Drill a hole straight through the center of each circle. These are the pivot holes.

3

Draw a line on each 2-by-3 board at 5 1/2 inches and 8 inches.

4

Align a handsaw with one of the markings you just made. Cut halfway through the 2-by-3 board using the markings as a guide. Cut halfway through each of the other markings.

5

Wedge a chisel into the cut you made. Hammer the top of the chisel to remove the wood square from each 2-by-3 board.

6

Draw a line on a 14-inch 2-by-3 board at 2 1/2 inches from the end. Draw another line on a second 14-inch 2-by-3. Cut halfway through each board and chisel the wood away.

7

Align the cut 24-inch 2-by-3 boards and two 7 1/2 inch boards so they form a rectangle. Turn the 24-inch boards so the notches you cut face outward.

8

Drill a pilot hole at the end of each 24-inch board. Screw the four boards together.

9

Make a pilot hole in the center of one of the 14-inch boards. Screw a large eye hook into the hole.

10

Fit the two 14-inch 2-by-3 boards into the notches on the 24-inch boards. Screw the boards together.

11

Position one 14-inch board horizontally across the top of the two vertical boards. Place the horizontal board on the side facing away from the eye hook. Screw the horizontal and vertical boards together.

12

Cut the ends of one 14-inch board so they form angles. Position the board at an angle between the horizontal board and the board with the eye hook. Screw the angled board in place.

13

Drill a hole through the end of a 28-inch board. Slide the cut broomstick handle through the hole. The broomstick handle should slide through the hole easily. If you feel resistance, make the hole larger.

14

Cut a plastic or paper cup to 2 inches tall. Staple the cup to the other end of the 28-inch board.

15

Screw an eye hook into the 28-inch board just below the cup.

16

Angle the 28-inch board and slide the ends of the broomstick through the two large holes in the 24-inch boards.

17

Attach the ends of a bungee cord to the eye hooks to complete the catapult.

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