Play Catapult

Lego projects are great for adults and children alike and setting out to build a Lego catapult is a great way to put your imagination to work. Legos are inexpensive, readily available and can be used to create any size and shape catapult you wish to build.

Instructions

1 Build the working portion of your catapult by using 2 Lego wheels with the rubber removed. Fashion the wheels just ahead of the catapult's anchoring wall and build the catapults all around the wheels hub piece. The arm must be able to withstand considerable pressure without falling apart. Secure a rubber band over the wheels and around the anchoring wall.
2 Fasten the catapult to a heavy Lego base with enough structure and weight to keep it from moving when fired. The mechanism can mount on a ship, rolling cart or any other item you can imagine. The key here is to create a stable base for your siege engine.
3 Fire your catapult by pulling down on the end of the catapult's arm and releasing it quickly.
4 Experiment with different objects, varying weight and shape until you find the object that goes farthest. Add additional rubber bands to extend your distance and weight capabilities. With a little practice and a few friends, you can lead the Lego rebellion to victory in your own living room.

Catapults were used to tear down castle walls in the middle ages. Create your own mini-version of a catapult and shoot things far into the distance. Make your own catapult with a 50-yard range and build your own homemade "medieval rocket launcher," although not as dangerous. Make one from bits and bobs you find around the house. Once you build a catapult that shoots 50 yards, pick up a ping pong ball and aim, set, fire!

Instructions

1 Take the 6-inch wooden block and lie it on a flat surface.
2 Glue a clothes pin to the wooden block. Center it lengthwise.
3 Attach the bottle lid to the end of the Popsicle stick. Leave enough space to push it down before firing your catapult.
4 Place a ping pong ball on top of your bottle lid and test your catapult. Measure the distance it fires. It should reach up to 50 yards but, if not, find a large clothes peg and a separate spring to attach underneath to create more elasticity.
5 Paint your catapult.

What is a Trebuchet?

A trebuchet is a machine used during medieval times to propel heavy objects vast distances. They were primarily used to bring down castle walls during a siege. The trebuchet is powered by gravity and centrifugal forces from two axes. This made it an intimidating battlefield weapon during the Middle Ages.

Design of a Trebuchet

A trebuchet consists of a long beam attached to a pivot rod on a heavy frame. The beam is fitted into a guide chute to make sure the beam moves in a straight line. There is a counterweight on one end of the beam and a sling attached to the other. A heavy object, usually a rock, is placed in the sling, which is then closed and secured to a release pin on the beam. Once the trebuchet is pointed toward the target, it is ready to fire.

Firing a Trebuchet

The counterweight is dropped, swinging the beam toward the target. The sling, with the rock in it, is whipped skyward and forward. When the counterweight hits the bottom, the beam stops moving. The sling keeps moving skyward and forward. It swings the rock forward on a second axis multiplying the centrifugal force. When the rock approaches the apex of arc, the release pin is triggered. This lets go of one end of the sling, allowing the rock to fly free.

Impact of a Trebuchet

The rock is now flying toward the target with tremendous force and speed. A typical medieval trebuchet could hurl a 300-lb rock 300 yards. A series of these projectiles could bring down even the most fortified castle walls and crush any soldiers in the way. Trebuchets were more accurate than other catapults of the Middle Ages. The projectile flies somewhat straight because the beam travels through a guide chute. If the position of the trebuchet and mass of the projectile remain constant, the point of impact can be predicted with reasonable accuracy.

Things Trebuchets Throw

In addition to heavy rocks, trebuchets were used to toss dead people and animals into castle grounds in an effort to spread disease. There are also stories of using decapitated enemy heads to reduce enemy morale and beehives to sting the opposition into submission. Flaming oil was also propelled by trebuchets to ignite wooden buildings within the castle grounds.

A catapult is a type of siege weapon that was used to attack castles in medieval times. This type of device requires stored energy to propel an object into the air. An example of stored energy is a spring. Demonstrating how a catapult works is done by making a working model. You can make your paper clip catapult based on the principles of a simple spring.

Instructions

1 Bend the small inner loop of the paper clip up to make a 45-degree angle. You can do this by hand or by using a pair of pliers.
2 Place the large loop of the paper clip on the 2-by-4-inch block of wood. Secure the paper clip onto the wood with staples using the staple gun. If a staple gun is not available, use strips of duct tape.
3 Set the paper clip catapult on a flat surface. Pull back on the small loop with your finger. Place a cotton ball on top of the paper clip.
4 Release the paper clip to propel the cotton ball into the air. Measure the distance the cotton ball traveled with the measuring tape.
5 Repeat this process to construct additional paper clip catapults.

In "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon" the Dark Master, Malefor, threatens to destroy the world with a sea of blazing fire. Spyro and his companions vow to stop him, but Malefor's forces are numerous. Spyro retreats to the ancient Dragon City, where the citizens do all they can to hold off the impending attack. Several Siege Towers arrive in front of the city, each shooting flaming boulders that rip the dragon's home to shreds. You must destroy the Siege Towers as the Dragon City citizens find a way to escape.

Instructions

1 Fill your magic meter by attacking the large green crystal as soon as the battle begins. Small grublins start attacking your catapult; kill all of them.
2 Look at the damage meter on the screen. When it fills up, the catapult has taken too much damage. Go to the side of the catapult to repair it. If you do not repair it in time, it blows up and you must restart the battle.
3 Run behind the catapult when its occupant, a mole, asks for more ammunition. Pull the lever to drop ammunition to the mole.
4 Run to the right side of the wall. A Siege Tower has advanced to the city wall. Destroy the purple crystal on the Siege Tower. The mole is knocked out of the catapult, and he asks you to help him get back on it.
5 Go to the left side of the wall and walk next to the mole. When enemies appear, the mole stops walking. Kill them all to make the mole walk again. If you see the catapult damage meter filling up, leave the mole and go repair it.
6 Pull the lever to reload the catapult when the mole reaches it. Keep the enemies away from the catapult until another Siege Tower appears to the left.
7 Go to the left and destroy the purple crystal on the Siege Tower. Reload the catapult. The mole destroys the final Siege Tower, ending the battle.

Catapults are well-known to most people, maintaining their fame mostly through movies, history books and video games. Although their uses are relatively more benign today, they were once feared, serving as sophisticated weapons of war. Several examples of catapults can be found today, from military use to common backyard activities.

Slingshots

The basic premise behind all catapult types is turning potential energy into kinetic energy, using it to release an object. A toy for most kids -- and a weapon for some hunters -- exists in a common slingshot, which is also a miniature catapult. Slingshots usually use a stretchable plastic material, which connects to two crossbars. The user places a projectile within the center of the stretchy piece, stretches it, aims and fires.

Aircraft Carriers

An essential use of catapults still comes from the military -- specifically from Navy aircraft carriers. Each aircraft carrier contains four different catapults that are used to get planes up to high speeds to allow them to take off with extremely short runways. The catapult consists of two cylinders that contain pistons.

Clay Shooting

Clay-shooting offers many advantages. It allows hunters to shoot at a target without actually shooting anything that's alive, it provides an opportunity to practice at a rapid pace and it also allows a moving target. Clay shooting is exhibited in many competitions each year. It all stems from a simple catapult that closely resembles an ancient ballista catapult, shooting objects in a straight line into the air, usually at a 45-degree angle.

Other Catapults

Although ancient catapults don't exist today for practical purposes, many workable units still exist for museums or demonstrations. These include trebuchets, which are large launchers that use a heavy counterweight to launch objects; a mangonel, which contains four wheels and launches projectiles with an arc pattern; or a ballista, which shoots objects in a straight line.

The catapult is a machine used to hurl projectiles a great distance. A well-constructed catapult is an effective tool used to launch a variety of objects. Throughout history catapults were one of the most effective and powerful devices used in warfare. Today the art of designing and building catapults is a popular science project that demonstrates the laws of physics, projection and gravity. With a 2-foot long base and a 3-foot long throw arm, the outdoor catapult can launch objects 10 yards.

Instructions

Build the Framework

1 Put on the safety goggles. Lay the wood flat with the wider surface facing up. Make a mark 3 1/2-inches from the end of a 24-inch wood piece. This is the catapult's pivot hole. Drill a hole about 1-inch in diameter, wide enough for the broomstick to slide through it.
2 Make a mark at 5 1/2-inches and at 8-inches from the same end of the wood. Draw lines over your marks and across the top side of the wood. Draw two lines about 1/2-inch down each side of the wood and connect the parallel lines on either side, forming the outline of a rectangle.
3 Saw the parallel lines across the top of the wood. Chisel and hammer the lines along the sides of the wood. Remove the rectangular slot formed from the wood block.
4 Repeat Step 1 through Step 3 with the other 24-inch piece of wood.
5 Mark a line 2 1/2-inches from the end of a 14-inch wood piece. Saw over the marked line and half way down both sides of the wood. Continue to saw until you remove the 2 1/2-inch rectangle, leaving a hollowed out end at one side of the wood piece.
6 Repeat Step 5 for a second 14-inch piece. Cut out and remove only one end of each piece.
7 Fit the end of the 14-inch piece into the cut-out rectangle of the 24-inch piece to form a T shape. Align the sides of both pieces across the top of the T formation. Each piece should fit snugly.
8 Screw the two perpendicular pieces in place. One 14-inch piece of wood should still be left. Do not cut a rectangular slot into the third wood piece.
9 Place the two 24-inch pieces and the two 7 1/2-inch pieces on their sides, parallel to each other. Screw the corners of the two 24-inch pieces and the two 7 1/2-inch pieces together to form a rectangle. The cut out rectangles on the two 24-inch pieces should be aligned and face the outside of the rectangle, not the inside.
10 Screw one of the large eye hooks into the outside center of the 7 1/2-inch piece closest to the rectangular slots.
11 Screw the 10 1/2-inch long wood piece across the top of the two upright 14-inch pieces. Attach the piece to the side that is farthest from the metal hook.
12 Measure and draw lines along the ends of the remaining 14-inch wood piece by holding it against the backside of the horizontal 10 1/2-inch piece and the top of the 7 1/2-inch piece with the hook. Saw off the angled lines to form slants on both ends. Fit the custom cut piece over the center of the 7-inch wood piece and against the center of the back of the 10 1/2-inch piece.
13 Screw the cut wood into place to form an angle connecting the two horizontal pieces. This adds strength to the catapult.

Build and Install the Swing Arm

14 Drill a hole through the width of a 28-inch wood piece about 1/2-inch from the end of the wood. The diameter should be wide enough for the broomstick to slide through it. The 28-inch wood piece, or the swing arm, should fit loosely over the broomstick and rotate freely.
15 Find a small cardboard cup or cut down a plastic cup until it is two inches deep. Staple or glue the cup to the other end of the wood, opposite the side with the hole. The cup holds the projectile in place.
16 Screw the other large metal hook about 1-inch down from the cup into the center of the 28-inch long swing arm.
17 Slide the 12-inch long broomstick through each of the three holes previously drilled into the end of the catapult, the swing arm and the other end of the catapult. Drill a few screws into the long swing arm and the broomstick to hold it firmly in place.
18 Hook each end of a bungee cord to each of the metal hooks.

The catapult is a weapon used to hurl heavy objects at enemies. It started as a medieval weapon, using a hinged lever and propulsion in a method similar to that of a slingshot. Recreating a full-scale replica of the ancient weapon is a major undertaking. However, making a tabletop catapult for fun or for a school project requires little more than craft sticks, masking tape and a rubber band.

Instructions

1 Cut 10 clean Popsicle sticks or craft sticks, using scissors. Cut one stick 3 inches long and one 4 inches long, keeping the rounded end on each of the sticks. Cut three pieces 2 inches long and six pieces 4 inches long, removing the rounded ends off the pieces.
2 Place a 2-inch stick end to end with a 4-inch stick. Wrap a 6-inch piece of masking tape around the two pieces of sticks to secure them. Place a second 2-inch stick end to end with the 4-inch stick. Wrap a 6-inch piece of masking tape around the two sticks. Place a 4-inch stick end to end with the second 2-inch stick. Wrap a third piece of 6-inch masking tape around the two sticks to create a line of four sticks, alternating 2-inch and 4-inch lengths.
3 Bend the long stick at a 90-degree angle at each of the three taped connectors to create a rectangle. Use fourth piece of 6-inch masking tape to secure the last corner to create the catapult's base.
4 Place a third 2-inch stick inside the rectangle you created in the prior step. Position it flat against one of the 2-inch sides of the rectangle. Wrap two 6-inch pieces of masking tape around the two 2-inch pieces to secure them together. Keep the tape on either side of the sticks, keeping them off the center.
5 Place two 4-inch sticks flat on your work surface, side by side. Line up the ends of the sticks, then wrap a 6-inch piece of masking tape around the ends of the sticks to secure them. Repeat the process with two more 4-inch sticks.
6 Place the two sets of 4-inch sticks on top of the rectangle you made in Step 3. Align them the length of the rectangle, one flush against each side, leaving a 2-inch gap in between them. Secure them in place with four pieces of 12-inch masking tape.
7 Cut a large rubber band to create a straight line instead of a loop. Place one end of the rubber band against the rounded end of the 3-inch Popsicle stick. Position the end of the rubber band 1-inch down from the rounded end of the stick. Wrap a 6-inch piece of masking tape around the rubber band and the stick to secure. Insert the other end of the stick into the rectangular base between the two 2-inch sticks from Step 4.
8 Stick a 2-inch piece of masking tape onto your work surface, sticky side down. Place a second, third and fourth piece of 2-inch masking tape on top of the first, all sticky side down, to create a four-layer, 2-inch long piece of masking tape. Cut the strip in half to create two 2-inch pieces of four-layer masking tape, making the hinges.
9 Place the two masking tape hinges from the prior step on either side of the remaining 4-inch popsicle stick with the rounded end. Position the hinges, one on either side of the stick, on the cut edge. Line them up 1-inch down from the edge, pressing the sticky side to the stick. Wrap a 6-inch piece of tape around the hinges and the stick to secure it.
10 Put the stick from the prior step into the catapult base, positioned in the open section. Put the hinged end against the stick from Step 7, with the hinge folded up and the rounded end of the stick pointing out the other side of the base. Wrap a 6-inch piece of masking tape around the stick and the hinge.
11 Attach the other end of the rubber band from Step 7 to the hinged stick from the prior step so that the hinged stick hangs at a 45-degree angle. Attach the inside of a small batch box to the rounded end of the hinged stick, 1/2-inch down from the end, using masking tape or hot glue to finish the catapult.

The goal of an egg projectile project is to move an egg quickly from point A to point B without breaking or otherwise harming a raw egg. There are many ways to keep an egg from breaking, but not so many when launching the egg as a projectile. A simple catapult and a firm base on the egg's protective casing are the biggest requirements when attempting to complete an egg projectile project.

Instructions

Cushioning the Egg

1 Place the egg inside a length of pantyhose and twist the hose around the egg. Make sure the egg does not move around inside the hose. Secure each end right next to the egg with rubber bands.
2 Tape each end of the hose to a Styrofoam cup. The egg will be centered over the cup's opening and will not bang against the sides of the cup. Place another cup over the opening of the first cup and tape these two together.
3 Test the cushioned egg contraption by dropping it onto the floor from your hand. Any design flaws will be evident if the egg breaks upon impact. Repair flaws and test again until the cushioning is secure. Once this step is complete, move on to build the catapult.

Creating a Catapult

4 Roll a length of newspaper into a log and tape the center with masking tape. Lay the log on top of a rubber band.
5 Stretch the rubber band around the newspaper and loop the rubber band in place by passing one end through the other. Place your finger through the loop to hold it in place.
6 Lace a large tablespoon through the rubber band. The handle of the spoon will be halfway through the rubber band and the spoon will be large enough to support the base of the Styrofoam cup holding the egg.
7 Tape the ends of the newspaper log to the tabletop. Practice using the catapult with objects other than the wrapped egg to make sure it works properly.

The etymology of the word "catapult" lies in the ancient Greek for "shield piercer," owing to their ability to supersede the traditional armor of the day. A catapult is a device which can throw objects long distances at great speed, which led to them becoming useful in the ancient and Medieval world, particularly with the rise of siege warfare. You can make a model catapult for your home or garden as a fun project to teach your children about ancient warfare, without the need for specialist equipment.

Instructions

1 Cut the end of one of the 6-inch pieces at 45 degree angles. Cut the top right hand corner and the bottom left hand corner off. Lay an uncut 6-inch piece of wood on top of a 12-inch piece of wood, so that the two lie at 90 degrees to one another. Lay the cut 6-inch piece of wood at 45 degrees to both, so it forms a join between the two. Screw both smaller pieces of wood to the 12-inch piece, and glue the small pieces to one another. This will form the basis of the frame of the catapult. Repeat this process so that you have two triangle-joins.

2 Use the remaining four 6-inch pieces of wood to attach the two sections of frame together. These should be screwed to the two ends of the 12-inch frame, making a rectangular frame, at the top of the 6-inch piece of wood, and across the 45-degree join. This will make the frame stable and strong.
3 Drill a small hole in the remaining 12-inch piece of wood, roughly 1/2 inch from the end. The hole should be slightly larger than your metal bar, which can be a section of coat hanger or the axle to a toy car. Drill a hole in each of the two 6-inch pieces of wood which stand up of the frame. These holes should be near the base. Attach one of the eye hooks 3 inches from the opposite end of the 12-inch piece of wood to the hole you just drilled. Attach the Styrofoam cup with tacks immediately above the eyehook, so it is closer to the end.

4 Slide the metal bar through the frame and the catapult bar. Place Blu-Tack on the ends of the bar if they stick out from the frame. Place an eye hook on the front center of the frame, and run an elastic band between the two eye hooks. You can run as many elastic bands as you like through these hooks, although the more you have, the more powerful will be the catapult. You are now free to test your catapult, by placing objects in the cup, pulling the bar back and releasing.

A catapult is a device that stores energy and then instantly releases all the energy in about one second to force a projectile through the air at substantial speed. Large catapults were used centuries ago as weapons. Today, small catapults are used mainly for fun or school educational purposes, to teach the dynamics of converting stored energy into propulsion. There are two main types of catapult: the hand-held variety often referred to as a slingshot and the tabletop variety. Their purpose is the same, but the operational instructions are different.

Instructions

Slingshot or Hand-Held Catapult

1 Hold the handle of the catapult using one hand. A hand-held catapult is usually a "Y" shape, so hold the base part of the "Y" in one hand.
2 Put the object you intend to propel in the center of the elasticized band. The band is attached to the top of "V" part of the catapult. Put a finger and thumb onto the object using your other hand, but don't touch the band.
3 Stretch the arm holding the catapult away from your body, while still holding the object in the band. Keep the hand that's holding the catapult steady and then gradually pull the other hand holding the object back toward your body. You feel the tension build as you pull backward. This is the stored energy.
4 Check in front of you to ensure nothing is in the way. Release your finger and thumb by opening them, but keeping them still. The stored energy is released and the energy from the band propels the object away from you at high speed. Ensure you open your finger and thumb at the same time and as wide as you can so the object and band don't touch them; otherwise, the effect will not be as good.

Tabletop Catapult

5 Move the arm of the catapult that has the container where the object you want to propel goes down toward the firing position. The arm is on a hinge and when you move the arm down toward the base unit, you see the other end rise away from the base unit. The arm has an elasticized band attached to it and the base unit. As you move the arm down, you feel pressure increasing as the energy gets stored in the stretched band.
6 Clip the arm into the connector on the base unit. This holds the arm down and the energy remains stored. Place the object you intend to propel into the container.
7 Check that there is nothing above or in front of the catapult. Flip the switch that's holding the arm down using your fingers. Make sure you keep yourself clear. The arm lifts up quickly and propels the object into the air.

When your teacher announces the assignment to build your own catapult, it may seem like a daunting task at first. There are a lot of different ways you could go about it, but there is a pattern that allows you to make your own catapult using every day items found in your own home. Just collect ice cream sticks and a milk carton, gather some supplies, and you will be well on your way to making a working catapult.

Instructions

1 Cut the ice cream sticks as follows: 3 pieces with squared ends that are 2 inches long; 6 pieces with squared ends that are 4 inches long; 1 piece with 1 rounded end and 1 squared end that is 3 inches long; and 1 piece with 1 rounded end and 1 squared end that is 4 inches long.
2 Tape 2 of the 4-inch pieces and 2 of the 2-inch pieces together end to end, alternating short sticks and long sticks.
3 Bend the taped "joints" so that the sticks are shaped like a rectangle and tape the last joint.
4 Tape a 2-inch piece to the inside of one of the short sides, making sure to leave the middle area tape-free.
5 Tape 2 of the 4-inch pieces together laying side by side like a picket fence.
6 Repeat with 2 more 4-inch sticks.
7 Lay the taped 4-inch sticks on top of the rectangle lengthwise so they are flush with the corners, leaving a gap in the center.
8 Tape one end of the cut rubber band to the rounded end of the 3 inch stick. Then slide the other end of the stick between the 2 sticks on the short end of the rectangle where you taped a second stick in step 4.
9 Make the "hinge" for the catapult. Layer 4 2-inch strips of tape, one on top of the other, and then cut them in half lengthwise. Attach it to 1 side of the squared end of the 4-inch stick so that half of the tape hangs over. Repeat with the other side of the stick and the other strip of layer tape. You will end up with a stick with 2 "feet" on one end.
10 Press the feet together and tape it to the stick with the rubber band coming out of the top. When you bend the hinge, it should lay up against the stick with the rubber band.
11 Tape the loose end of the rubber band to the rounded end of the 4-inch hinge stick.
12 Cut the bottom off the milk carton, leaving a 1-inch rim. This cup should then be taped to the rounded end of the 4-inch catapult arm.
13 To use your catapult, put something in the milk carton cup, pull it back so that the rubber band stretches as far back as it will go, and release.

In the summertime, water fights are a great way to cool off. In order to win such a fight, tactics should be implemented. Being able to strike your opponents from a distance is a huge advantage. For this purpose you should employ a water-balloon catapult capable of launching water balloons a large distance. You can make one from materials commonly found in a home building store.

Instructions

1 Drill four holes through the rim of your plastic funnel using the drill. Space the four holes evenly around the perimeter of the wide end of the funnel so that there is one at the top, bottom and each side.
2 Cut the surgical tubing into two 8-foot pieces using the knife.
3 Tie a knot in the end of one of the pieces of surgical tubing and feed the other end through one of the holes drilled in the funnel, from the inside to the outside.
4 Feed the other end of this piece of surgical tubing through one of the two holes next to it. Tie a knot in the end of this tube once through the funnel, this is one half of the catapult propulsion system.
5 Tie a knot in the other piece of surgical tubing and connect it to the funnel in the same fashion as the first piece of tubing, using the two remaining holes of the funnel.
6 Trim excess tubing remaining from the knotted end inside the funnel. This is where the water balloon will be placed.
7 Have two friends each firmly hold one loop of surgical tubing while you place a water balloon in the funnel, pull the funnel back and release.

Laying siege is usually tough and your neighbors might get angry, but with the power of a catapult, you can launch projectiles to your heart's content, all while utilizing pure physics rather than electricity or gas. Building a life-size, historically accurate, boulder-tossing catapult is difficult and dangerous, so leave those big ones to engineers. Rather, below you'll find detailed instructions on how to make a smaller, but equally enjoyable catapult you can make with a few supplies and time.

Instructions

1 Lay out four pieces of wood to form a rectangular base. Glue or screw the pieces together. Take two pieces of wood and cut the ends at a 45 degree angle. You should now have two trapezoid-shaped pieces. Set those aside.
2 Affix one piece perpendicular to the base about half way in. The perpendicular piece should be half the length of the base. Repeat this for the other side. At the top of the two pieces, attach another piece of wood connecting the two. It should look like a doorway.
3 Take those trapezoid pieces and attach them to the base and the perpendicular pieces. The angles allow the pieces to fit comfortably. These pieces add structural integrity to the overall catapult.
4 Drill through the base so that the two holes are directly underneath the perpendicular pieces. Drill through another piece, which will be used as the launching mechanism. Place the wooden dowel through one side of the base, attach the launching piece in the middle and finish by inserting the dowel into the other side of the base. Use glue on the base (only on the base, not on the launching portion) to keep the dowel in place.
5 Cut the ping pong ball in half and glue it to the end of the launching piece to act as a basket for your projectiles. Attach hooks to both the launching piece and the top of the frame and attach rubber bands. Pull back the center piece, place your projectile in the basket (marshmallows work well) and let it fly.