How to build a very simple trebuchet You will need Strong cardboard, pencil, a thick elastic band, masking tape, glue, scissors, plastic teaspoon and rolled up tissue paper. Thread the elastic band through all three holes, glue and tape the lever to the base. How to make Cut the cardboard into 2 pieces: 15cm x 15cm (the base) 5cm x 15cm (the lever) Fold the lever in half so you get a folded piece 5cm x 7.5cm. Pierce holes in the centre of each side of the lever. T Tape the plastic teaspoon to the upper side of to the cardboard with the b bowl of the spoon facing d downwards. Pierce another small hole in the middle of the base. Cut the elastic band and knot one end. Pull the elastic band up through the cardboard base and through both holes in the lever. The knotted end of the elastic band will be under the base. P the elastic band tight Pull a knot. and Glue and tape one side of the folded lever to the base. Knot the other end of the elastic band tightly. The shorter the length of elastic band between the knots, the more tension you create in the folded cardboard lever. Hold firmly! Tape the plastic teaspoon to the upper side of the cardboard with the bowl of the spoon facing downwards towards the base. Hold the base firmly and pull the spoon back, put the rolled up tissue paper in the bowl of the spoon and let go. Copyright © Hamilton@Home Load the spoon with rolled up tissue paper and let go! How to build a trebuchet You will need: Heavy object, ball of clay, small screws and nails, glue gun, eyehooks, wire, string, piece of cloth, steel axle and assorted pieces of wood. 1. M Make two side frames: we used one p piece of wood 20cm long and one 15cm lo long - both were 2cm wide by 1cm tthick. The triangular strengthening p piece was plywood glued in place. D Drill holes at the top of each vertical p piece of wood - the hole should be a free fit for the axle. 2. Using glue and nails fasten the two side frames together using 10cm long pieces of wood. 3. Make the swing arm using a 2cm x 2cm x 25cm piece of wood. 4. Drill holes sstarting arting g5 5cm from on ne end for the axle. Screw an one eyehook into one end nd and the sid de at the other end. side Hammer a n nail into this end. Copyright © Hamilton@Home 5. Put the swing arm into p place using the axle: this sh should swing freely! Putting it all together How to build a trebuchet The heavy weight could be some old D batteries or lots of coins in a plastic bag. T the heavy weight to the end of the Tie s swing arm. Hold the swi swing ing g ar arm down when loading the trebuchet. tr e fi final ttwo o p arts The nal tw parts! Tie a loop into one end of the pouch ove the nail. This string and loop over will release when the swing arm lifts, g the ball! thus releasing fro some cloth The pouch is made from tied at both ends with string: try ‘pock to keep and make a little ‘pocket‛ the clay ball in place. Tie one end of the pouch string tring to the eye on the side of the he swing arm. Copyright © Hamilton@Home Time to try it out! How to build a trebuchet Warning - missile in flight! Fasten the base to a desk When you have loaded the trebuchet clear the area, sound the warning and let go! You will almost certainly need to experiment with the weight and which hole the axle is in to get the best results. Copyright © Hamilton@Home