How to Build a Ballista
Interested in creating an ancient weapon of warfare that may have your neighbors watching you with concern? Are you involved in a project that features Greek or Roman civilizations? If these describe you, or if you are feeling like building something quite unique, consider turning your hand to these plans for a ballista.
Required Materials:
- Wooden block, 12” high and 12” wide, 24” long; the base
- Block of wood 3”x3”x12”
- Block of wood 2”x2”x24”
- 2 blocks of wood 2”x¼”x12”
- 2- 2” cubes of wood
- 1 length of wood about the same size as a standard pencil
- 2 wooden cylinders approximately 2” diameter and 2” long
- 2- 2” long poles made of metal
- 2 hoop hooks
- 2 washers
- Nails
- Piece of strong nylon
- Thin rope
Required Tools:
- Hammer
Instructions:
- Set the base on the work surface. Align the 3” block of wood to the 12” edge of the base. Nail the two pieces of wood together.
- Position the block so that it is resting with the 3” block on the bottom. Nail the 2”x24” piece of wood to the top center of the base.
- Nail the first 2”x12” piece of wood to the 24” piece so that the pieces form a T.
- Place your 2 cubes of wood between the horizontal bar of the T-shaped design. These should be nailed about three inches from where the two pieces cross.
- Place the remaining 2”x12” piece of wood atop these cubes. Drive a single nail through this wood, then through the blocks, then through the first 2”x12” piece.
- Place the two wooden cylinders on either side of the horizontal ends of the T.
- Put a washer on each end of the horizontal bar of the T, about 3 inches away from each end. Nail them in place.
- Attach a hoop hook between your wooden cube and the wooden cylinder on the inner part of the horizontal bar of the T. Insert the rope into each hook, and begin to twist the rope. When you have twisted halfway up the length of the rope, twist the pencil-like piece of wood into the rope. Tighten it securely around the wood. Put the rope through the wood and through the washer. Put your metal pole atop the holes in the washer so that it lies in a horizontal plane. Tie the ropes and secure them to the poles. Cut off the remaining ends of rope. Tie each of the ends of the nylon or rubber to the pencil-like piece of wood.
Tips and Warnings:
- Experiment with different projectiles to see which travels the farthest or has the hardest impact.
- Fire the ballista ONLY in a well-cleared area. Make sure that no unwary humans or animals are near.
- Fire this weapon outside. Do not attempt to use it except in a completely open area.