The Carpentry
Right now I only know how to build an Trebuchet. So I will try to explain how to build it.
NOTE: I'm not responsible for any damages to either an living being or something else.
How you choose too use the Trebuchet is not my problem. I'm just explaining how to build it. But, remember that
an Trebuchet is a lethal weapon.
Well, let's get started. The Trebuchet that we are about to construct will be about two feet high and will send a
ball that weights one pound about 100 feet away. The counterweight will be 100 pounds.
You will need some 2"4" boards. To be correct, 9.5 meters. Yes I know, it is much. But that's not all, you'll also
need 5.3 meters of 2"2" board. This should be from some old pinetree. And then at last, 2.6 meters, 1"4" board.
Thats about it. Ohh... I almost forgot that you have to beg your ma or girlfriend that she sits down and makes a net
that is 60 cm long and got a ring in one end. You have to put the ball somewhere. Then you could go and get a
round staff, about 50 cm long and made of steel. (The axle for the arm.) I'm not going to tell you how to construct
the counterweight because I haven't done it yet. Just make sure it has the correct weight. (And can swing free of
the ground.)
Now you can look at sketch no. 1. Take the saw and start cutting the 2"4" boards in correct pieces. Tell me when
you are ready. Hmm. Lalala. Oh... already? Good, then you can look at sketch no. 2 and cutting the 2"2" boards.
That's good. Now you just got to assembly it. Start with the "bottom" and work you way up to the axel and the arm. Don't use nails to assembly the Trebuchet. A good advise is to use screws or maybe bolts. It depends on if you want to move it alot. Because if you will move it I would suggest bolts, because they don't ruin the wood if you are taking the Trebuchet apart. Remember to drill the holes both for the bolts as for the screws. We don't wanna split the wood.
If you need some help now, just look on the sketches no. 3 and 4.
Now to the tricky part. The hook. You probably will have a couple of days work before you got this right. The hook must be bent exactly, or the Trebuchet may commit suicide or send the ball backwards. And that's not good. The release angle must be exactly 130 degrees. Okay, one degree doesn't matter, but five degrees will. I'm not going to try explaining what release angel is. Just take a look at sketch no. 5. If you still don't understand "release angel". Then get a friend or someone else and ask them to explain it to you. When you got the hook correct then you should think of a trigger device. Just look at sketch no. 6.
Oh. I think I have forgot something. Those long 1"4" boards. Split one of them into two 1"2" boards. Then build a furrow. This is for the net with the ball inside to slide on. Because if you didn't have the furrow the net would be torn apart and probably wreck the Trebuchet.
Be sure that the rope you use for the trigger is at least 2 meters long. And remember that standing behind a Trebuchet is never, NEVER, a good idea. If you are lucky you just have to eat soup the rest of your life.
Well, I think that's about it. Don't lose your temper if the Trebuchet doesn't work the first time. They never do.
Mail me if you succed in building a Trebuchet. By the way, mail me even if you don't. Good luck.
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