How to Build a Catapult
Catapults were used in ancient Roman times to lay siege to fortressed cities and towns. These ancient weapons often caused casualties and fatalities among those who were assigned to load and fire them. The arms of these huge machines had to be pulled back and locked down before they could be loaded.
Here, you can learn to build a tabletop model of an ancient catapult with everyday household items.
Required Materials:
- Wood, 3 pieces, each 12”x1”x½”
- Wood, 4 pieces, each 6”x1”x ½”
- Wood, 2 pieces, 6”x1”x½” each end to be cut at 45 degree angles (wood should form a trapezoid shape)
- 2 dozen nails, ½” long
- 1 large, sturdy rubber band
- Eye hooks, 2
- Wooden dowel rod, 1/8” width, 5-¾” long.
- Flexible piece of material (card board or sturdy paper), 4”x4”
- Two tacks, ¼”
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Required Tools:
- Lightweight hammer
- Wood glue or liquid nails
- Miter box and saw (for cutting angles)
- Angle (for measuring)
- Measuring tape
- Drill with 3/16” bit
Instructions for Assembly:
- Assemble the side and base pieces: Nail one 6” piece of wood, cut at a 45-degree angle, to the end of a 12” piece. The angle at which the pieces are fixed together should be 45 degrees. Nail a 6” piece that is cut straight to the opposite end of the 6” piece, almost at its top, so that it also forms a right angle to the 12” piece. Repeat this process, so that you form a second piece that exactly mirrors the first half of the base.
- Place the 12” pieces so that the narrowest part is on the work surface. Place the pieces facing each other, so that the triangles formed by the 6” pieces mirror one another, and the vertical 6“ pieces are on the insides of the base. At the edge of the 12” pieces, on the ends to which the 6” angled pieces are attached, attach a straight-cut 6” piece with wood glue, so that it intersects with both the 12” pieces and the 6” angled pieces. This will form a crosspiece that will support each side of the base and connect the sides together. Nail the glued pieces together.
- Using nails and glue, attach a second 6” crosspiece at the top of the triangle formed by the two 6” pieces so that the upright 6” pieces, rather than the angled pieces, are attached.
- Using nails and glue, attach a third crosspiece to the 2 angled 6” pieces at the midpoint of the pieces.
- Using nails and glue, attach the final 6” piece to the opposite ends of the 12” pieces, forming the final part of the base.
- Take the remaining 12” piece and use the drill to create a hole approximately ½” from one of the ends, on the surface of the wood that is 1” wide. This will be the arm of the catapult.
- Insert the hook on the ½” width of the 12” piece 3” from the opposite end.
- Create the cup for the catapult out of the cardboard or another material. Fold it so that the cup is a 2” square, and the sides are 1” tall. Attach it to the 12” piece directly next to the eyehook, along the ½” wide surface, with glue and two tacks.
- Drill holes in the upright 6” pieces, approximately 1” above the 12” supports. Push the dowel rod through the first hole. Stop after you have inserted about 2” of rod through the first hole.
- Push the catapult arm onto the dowel rod so that the cup is facing the ceiling. Push the dowel rod all the way through the second upright 6” piece. Use wood glue to secure seat the dowel rod in the holes of the upright pieces.
- Center the catapult arm in the middle of the dowel rod, and secure it with glue.
- Attach the remaining eyehook to the center of the horizontal 6” crosspiece that supports both the 12” base and the 6” angled support pieces, on the surface of the wood that is 1” wide.
- Attach each end of the rubber band to an eyehook. Make sure the rubber band is long enough to attach, but short enough to attach tightly without risk of breaking.
- The catapult is ready to load and fire.
Advice and Caution:
- Use care when operating power equipment such as drills. Wear safety glasses to avoid eye injury.
- Don’t attempt to load or fire the catapult unless you are in a safe place, free of obstructions, or breaking glass.
- Even models of these weapons can be dangerous. Use caution when trialing them.