Toys That Are Not Toys…Trebuchets
The average person knows relatively little about a trebuchet or a catapult, or that both are ancient weapons that are becoming increasingly popular among engineering students, scouts and general woodworking enthusiasts.
Trebuchets and catapults were actively used as siege weapons during midevel times. Armies would design and construct these mystical, yet dynamic devices for obliterating enemy castles or fortress walls, and to launch rotting animal carcass’ over enemy walls to spread disease among those hunkered within. Today, scaled down model trebuchets and catapults are primarily built for fun and recreation by people from all ages and all walks of life.
Pronounced “treb oo shay”, trebuchets comes in many sizes, from as small as a few inches to well over 30 feet in height. Larger trebuchets have launched cars and pianos hundreds of feet through the air while the smaller designs have become far more popular. They are more practical for enthusiasts and can be constructed relatively quickly with materials and tools found in home improvement and lumber stores, or in many home workshops.
Not surprisingly, trebuchet building activity and design plans are becoming more prominent than ever before. Plans come in a variety of assortments. The joy of building and launching these unique devices has led to an assortment of creative and effective designs. For the most part they are fun and safe; however, they can also cause damage or injury if operated improperly or without adequate safety precautions.
Plans can be purchased online, some of which are available for free. However, the better and more complete plans will cost money. A popular trebuchet design package that includes rare video instruction can be found at the “HowToMakeATrebuchet” website order page. This site offers both a very popular “backyard” design plan with rare personalized video assembly instruction at NO Cost. The designer takes builders step-by-step through the entire construction. A youngster building their first trebuchet project will find this instruction particularly helpful over standard blueprint only plans. Moreover, the trebuchet design package is at a price anyone can afford. The design package is offered at an incredibly low price or for free, depending upon whether one prefers a physical copy of the material or only online access.
Perhaps one of the most ideal projects for kids, family and adults is the building of model trebuchets or catapults. Trebuchet projects ideally bridge the sensations of joy and danger like no other project for youngsters or adults. Although more commonly used today like “toys”, they are still trebuchets.
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