How to Build a Trebuchet | MythBusters

What's the secret behind a perfect trebuchet? Adam tinkers with his mini medieval weapon to show us.
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[@WillOnTheBoards]

The superior siege weapon, capable of hurdling a 90kg object 300 meters with a counterweight!

[@zerdodylan]

Will on the boards catapults are no match

[@comradecrunch9657]

Let me show you its features

[@CHRISTIANNWO]

The Age of Empires wall & castle destroyer

[@davidthomsen7876]

@@CHRISTIANNWO how canni download that game?

[@eaar]

@@comradecrunch9657 heheheeh

[@TheOfficialCzex]

I heavily admire the editor responsible for the After Effects motion tracking of the trebuchet model's design overlay.

[@Johndavid1451]

I know this was posted four years ago but I really agree, the quality alone was extremely well done.

[@TheOfficialCzex]

@@Johndavid1451 Absolutely.

[@bigbird4481]

@@TheOfficialCzex I know this was posted five years ago but I really agree, the quality alone was extremely well done.

[@DJTechno94]

@@bigbird4481 I know this was posted five years and 5 months ago, but I wanted to say that I also agree, the aesthetics were exceedingly satisfactory

[@jjunit86]

@@DJTechno94 I know this was posted 5 years and 8 months ago, but i gotta agree, the quality exceeded my expectations and it was done well.

[@77gravity]

A couple of points to improve efficiency (power transfer from the counterweight to the projectile) and thus range. 1) Make the counterweight link (the bit between the CW and the arm) as long as possible, so the CW just clears the ground. 2) The sling length needs to be adjusted so that the projectile releases (sling stall) just before the CW stalls.

[@LordNinja109]

Hopefully you are still alive after four years, but can you explain the second point? Specifically how the length of the sling (longer vs shorter) determines the timing of the release?

[@77gravity]

@@LordNinja109 Still sucking air. :) If the sling is shorter, then it has a shorter "circle" to travel to the release point. This means it gets there sooner, and it then can arrive TOO early, before the arm has rotated to the correct point, and transferred the maximum energy to the projectile. This gives two problems: (1) The missile falls short, sometimes VERY short, and with little proper power, and worse (2) overloading of the machine, as too much energy remains behind. The release timing is a combination of the angle of the arm, the angle of the sling pin, and the angle between the arm and the sling. Changing the angle of the pin changes the timing (often the easiest way to adjust range), but sling length is also a useful ranging variable.

[@fettsforlife4081]

@@77gravity do you know this relationship I have to build one for school and you just talked about my biggest fear

[@77gravity]

@@fettsforlife4081 The main arm should be about 3.75 times length of short arm. Sling should be about length of main arm, no longer, maybe shorter (a good way to tune the machine). See previous comments also. CW should be about 20 times mass of projectile (for smaller machines), more than that overloads the machine. If you want to throw further, build a bigger machine. If you want to throw heavier things, build a stronger machine (thicker parts, heavier counterweight)

[@jacoberwin4412]

Thank you for these tips internet stranger, im glad youre still sucking air. Ive been building slings and staff slings and i feel this is the next logical step lol, i love these fun little projects. It channels some sort of ancient medeival vibe, and the ooo rock go far itch in our brains​@77gravity

[@MemoryDestiny]

1:07 you can see the power of trebuchets on his face, that's savage.

[@kjhart91]

adam savage to be exact

[@yuunaki]

@@kjhart91 beat me to it

[@queleimportapene6582]

How to build a trebuchet? Well, first you have to get to the imperial age.

[@cenving123]

Boy, first you have to build a castle, then we can talk about imperial age

[@EllAntares]

that's other way around

[@COREYTOWNS]

WOLOLO

[@michaeldorego7313]

You build it with 200 wood and 200 gold

[@chuckmontana6667]

long time, no siege

[@KlyzmTheFirst]

“Slightly bigger nut, much bigger nut.” 2:11

[@matycer1898]

Coco nut is not a nut

[@Flies_the_limit]

Yeah... we heard it dude..

[@KlyzmTheFirst]

Idontknow Iforget why was i like this

[@justarandomguy3969]

me when...

[@Jack-sy6di]

accurate description of the hosts

[@BastuGubbar]

just gonna give some credit to the editors for making those absolutely perfect outlines, GJ!

[@peterk8909]

Miss this show. Adam & Jamie were very good.

[@shipoopie5829]

Wizard: There are 3 rules: -no wishing for death -no falling in love -no bringing back dead people Me: I wish for catapults to be better than trebuchets Wizard: There are 4 rules

[@Mahfireballs]

And not wishing for more wishes and... funny comment thoug. But would have thaught that was the 1st most people think of. (wishing for more wishes)

[@74KU]

Trebs are Cats.. MIND BLOWN!

[@chairmanjohn6660]

But can you wish that you can wish for catapults to be better the trebuchets?

[@chairmanjohn6660]

Just answer my QUESTION

[@joemelton4747]

I saw this on another video

[@BowChickaHonkHonk1]

I heard a builder say something about having to hold on to the projectile/sling until the last second. Same way you want to hold on to the tip of a towel rat tail before whipping it at the target; even that small bit of resistance as you let it leave your hand apparently helps. I can't draw you what this means for a trebuchet, but I heard it's really important - and was the missing detail not covered by the medieval manual.

[@77gravity]

This is true, I have experimented with this. Range increased if the sling/projectile is "held back" when the treb is released. On a smaller treb I had a clothes peg attached to the end of the missile slide, which just clipped onto the sling "bucket" - it would apply a small tension to the sling as the arm started to move, then release as the sling went tight. I also found that a not-too-slick surface on the missile slide helped increase range. A metal slide gave less range than a wooden one. Somewhat counter-intuitive, but it was a definite result. This was on a small machine, only throwing about 30 metres, it may not scale accurately.

[@fhuber7507]

The sling length varies... by weight ratio between counterweight and item being thrown. Also the counterweight connection needs to be another set of arms. Essentially, he's doing it all wrong. But even ding it wrong they can be amazingly powerful.

[@Ivan_Cornelius]

Thank You for this video; it helped me with a Medieval Engineers video I am working on.

[@MrShadowpanther3]

2:26 The look of a man who has been tinkering on the edge of success for a long time and suddenly... SUCCESS. He looks almost scared to believe it, then looks at the camera to make SURE the camera caught it and saw the same thing.

[@SpottedSharks]

It would be interesting to build an identical one but put wheels on it. Then compare how far both rigs can toss a projectile.

[@BowChickaHonkHonk1]

I had a friend build a trebuchet that precisely fit in the bed of a pickup truck. He never said why.

[@SuperEagles97]

Where was this when I needed to make one for physics class? smh

[@joshua200037]

thats why im here

[@SuperEagles97]

Josh de Villiers Good luck!

[@tylerrussell6779]

Floating arm trebuchets are actually more efficient all other things equal

[@BradytheAwsome]

Kevin S I just made a 5 foot tall trebuchet for physics class lol

[@SuperEagles97]

BradytheAwsome My friends and I did that as well, perhaps it was 4 feet. It helps a lot when your friend's dad is an engineer.

[@gerijenkins8658]

Does anyone know the measurements and materials they used to make this trebuchet??

[@calvin..]

Thanks so much this is going to help so much in my design and technology project!

[@NIIIIQQ]

The superior siege weapon

[@BregaranLP]

Witch 3,75:1 he means that for example i need for the short part 1 meter and for the long part 3,75 meter?

[@jasonweerasinghe4391]

BregaranLP it would be 3.75m

[@ichtyorniscretace9624]

Yes that's what he means :)

[@emily9397]

It is a ratio so it can be anything ex:foot inck meter yard as long as the ratio stays 3.75:1

[@emily9397]

@Simple Reason yes any unit of measurement would work

[@Bart-bz2iu]

Bregaran how much is the weights

[@RyanWuEMC2]

this helped me so much on my science project

[@catsanddogs4n2]

Hey Ryan, I have a project based on building a trebuchet after designing it in a software. Would you be able to help me out with the design ?

[@ErikaBracamonte]

Did you throw your science teacher at over 300m?

[@omarabdelkadereldarir7458]

Did they, by any chance, weigh 90 kilograms?

[@AAAAAA-hq9vl]

r/trebuchetmemes watching this unite

[@jimjam3256]

Catapult bad trebuchet good

[@ARC--Fives-ro5hj]

trebuchets are gay

[@hm096]

ARC-27-5555 Fives you have committed treason

[@iamarchibald]

THAT'S A THING? I'm here from pewdiepie and there's a meme subreddit about him

[@omarabdelkadereldarir7458]

@@iamarchibald Nah, It's just that people instinctively know that this is the superior siege weapon. Everyone loves the trebuchet and if you say otherwise you have committed treason.

[@allanfranklinflanco3596]

how north korea launch their icbm

[@BPJJohn]

@@sonacphotos or the people they've Executed.

[@turnerk5424]

Oh please! Rocket Man doesn't even have this highly advanced of technology!

[@ErikaBracamonte]

@@BPJJohn North Korea: They are the same thing

[@MrTrudac]

It’s missing the wheels,it works better if it rolls back and forward

[@DEMIGODDDDDD]

Building a miniature trebuchet this summer with my homies. This was a lifesaver

[@charlesdodimead5658]

Literally gonna do this this weekend

[@philmccracken607]

2:11 - 2:13 You vs the guy she told you not to worry about

[@Theknightman-wg1dz]

I once made a trebuchet at a party with a few cans, utensils, a stick, and a lot of chewed gum all because I was bored. I then proceeded to play a game where I had to launch a bottle cap into a cup. I love when I have chances to be resourceful

[@anthonyrinehart4048]

Maybe at the bottom, the slack sling could be wrapped around an electric generator axle. By releasing the trebuchet the sling unwinding rotates the axle, causing current?

[@ericbrown8916]

That needs wheels. The base is too heavy. As the heavy weight falls the structure begins to move opposite the direction you’re aiming. When weight reaches the bottom the thrown object hasn’t yet reached its full potential. The heavy weight starts to climb shoving the structure forward in the direction you’re aiming. Adding its speed to the throw.

[@generalseal6948]

With levers you want the input to be as far away from the fulcrum as possible and the output as close to the fulcrum as possible but that is the opposite with trebuchets

[@taylorindustries]

The superior siege machine

[@89bavaro89]

"3.75 to 1". Is the "1" to the end of the small side of the arm or to where the weight is hung?

[@TrevorKeenAnimation]

"They have to stick it together with their all-time favourite material..." Ballistics Gel?

[@okanozusen9236]

When he said 3.75 What measurement is he using and how many meters do you think it can? Cuz I'm building one for my physics class and it's pretty small and it need to go 10 meters.

[@seasonliu4561]

What season is it?

[@holliswoods]

ugh I actually had to build one for my physics class a few months ago.... not the greatest experience.....

[@thedarklord8526]

+Hollis Woods Hopefully fully scaled, ahaha.

[@ur_cowboy]

+Hollis Woods i just built one in machine shop, for fun, piece of cake

[@FortInTheWoods]

Didn't go well? How big was it?

[@divinebrandconsults217]

Please help with the speed of the tribuchet in m/s, and degree

[@trusarmor4957]

graphics Dept for the friggin WIN!

[@lukassnakeman]

anybody know where he got that 3.75:1 arm ratio from? I'm somewhat obsessed with trebuchets and have done a lot of internet research to find ideal ratios and things but there's too many damn variables! best you can do is decide on a design and change the variables you can later like sling length, count weight mass, payload mass, and release timing

[@catsanddogs4n2]

Hey there, did you ever complete that trebuchet design of yours ?

[@FortInTheWoods]

I was wondering the same. His ratio seemed different than I've seen. I just built a big 15ft 400lb and filmed it with a drone. You may want to check it out.

[@Bart-bz2iu]

lukassnakeman how much is the weights

[@AupriProductions]

Looks like it’s from a research paper about optimal trebuchet proportions. This video talks about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ62nWx3ptKJr8U

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

I guess start with a longer arm, you can always cut some off?

[@FrozenHawkHunter]

You need a sling not a pocket. I helped build one we were lunching pumpkins close to 100 yards. This was back in 2001 or 2002.

[@DersNoNem]

I did the sling mechanism 7 years ago and it worked the first time

[@thomassleziak1222]

Trebuchet ready sir!

[@brienYT]

I am making a trebuchet in class and I need to make a drawing of it but it’s hard I don’t know how to draw it the right size

[@EA-le7ty]

Was this from a Mythbusters episode? What was the name or season for I don't recall seeing this one if it was...

[@markschafer4554]

there seems to be a glitch or corruption at ~ 47 second mark, just as he talks about relationship of long and short parts of the swing arm.

[@invictusfarmer7188]

should see a 20 ft tall version built from truckstop light poles, a 500 gallon oil drum filled with tractor weights pulled down with a farmall super M. i know it sends bowling balls, lawn tractors and other odd things pretty far.

[@granatapacifica]

Finally, something worth my time building for throwing paper balls at the teacher

[@phoenix4ever367]

How tall does the stand have to be

[@KlenClaw]

Probably the best meterial for counterweight is depleted uranium

[@delta635]

Is there a parts list?

[@EllAntares]

it's only natural that he hits ceiling, trebuchets were designed to shoot on high ballistic trajectory, They are strategical predecessors of mortars.

[@FortInTheWoods]

It's very tough to adjust for a good arc. I just built one for my channel and kept launching gallons of water straight up 70ft

[@azp0195]

Thanks for information sir

[@kylebeckford1033]

Trebuchet are a work of engineering genius.

[@crispearsonschannel]

ye

[@boredtodeathify]

Trebuchet where actually quite simple compared to some weapons of that time

[@brianlapham6515]

Hmmm, I've had good luck with a 4:1 beam ratio and the height of the bucket from bottom to where it attaches to the throwing arm the same 1.

[@Apocalypso-gk2gj]

Hey jera i wanted to ask u something dont know if u will read it but i could maybe have an idea from a build i know that u maybe will have other projects going on just to say um a huge mideval fan and i love huge castles and fortreses but i never saw u make the castles with like catapults for defence i know irs maybe unnesessary but i would give your

[@Apocalypso-gk2gj]

Builds a nice touch u dont have to make them tho its just an idea or u could make a giant castle which is under attack by an army which has catapults and siege towers a ram at the gate and a few trebuchets in the back and u can see that the castle is trying to defend itself with a few countermeasures like an oil pot over the gate or catapults on towers or ballistas i know u probably wont read this or make it but i just wanted to say it ps: ur my favourite minecraft youtuber i love your builds exspecially the castle and city ones pss: my text is maybe not readebal sorry

[@Apocalypso-gk2gj]

Or maybe u just could. add a few catapults to your old builds or nake a few more defences

[@masonbaker9353]

How long is the swing arm

[@MrChopsuy]

why didnt they make the short part as longs as the long arm ? wouldnt it get more power ?

[@GraveUypo]

+MrChopsuy more torque, less power. gravity can only accelerate things so fast. it uses a lever effect to amplify that speed.

[@MrChopsuy]

+Pierced Corruptus so it would get more power but it wasnt possible to build back in the days , because of the material and the fact that the needed counterweight could not be moved back than

[@shmuckling]

+MrChopsuy Nope. The weighted end will always accelerate at the same rate, which isn't all that fast. The difference in length between the levers on each side of the axle is proportionate to the difference in speed that their tips will be moving at. Also, making the arms same length would really fuck up the sling's mechanics, which involve taking advantage of the negative part of the swing: once the levers are past the vertical point, they are slowing down, but they're still moving, so there's still energy to be explored and that's where the sling does it's thing. The trebuchet was considered a marvel of engineering, it really changed siege warfare and war all around.

[@freshrockpapa-e7799]

Wow, everyone here is so wrong and is saying things that are stupid and nonsensical. To answer OP: Yes, it would get more power, however, that's unnecessary. The whole point of the trebuchet is lifting a heavy counterweight a (relatively) small height and transfer the energy. Trebuchets already have a good range, why work harder for more power that you don't need. Also, the arm would have to be thicker to sustain the extra energy.

[@specdecible]

A lot of people are over thinking this, If the short arm was as long as the long arm then the counterweight would smash against the ground when released.

[@SpaceFlamingo07]

That’s a fully loaded trebuchet right there. 1:29

[@aaliyahcapetillo1677]

What did you maximize and minimize???

[@jacobbroosh3386]

nice

[@torinjones3221]

The counter weight is meant to be 133× the weight of the missile.

[@AdamSmith-ze6gl]

Anyone know what Season & Episode this was aired on? Thanks :-)

[@monaglewoodcrafts]

What did you use for the weight

[@thedefectiveturret2386]

"Wow."

[@hunterpelecky898]

wow indeed

[@jaybauer304]

Depends on the size

[@Nachoooo146]

I wonder if they actually hit someone back in the old wars

[@77gravity]

"Mechanically intricate"??? The trebuchet is a VERY simple mechanism, devices like a crossbow had far more complexity and moving parts.

[@FortInTheWoods]

Yeah I just built a huge one in less that a week.

[@jaykinney7825]

what episode is this?

[@JaneDoe-rj3is]

Where do you get fulcrum?

[@mikkkeyman]

AOE II brought me here

[@Turbojumper]

Adam and Jamie are still the RIGHT MythBusters to me. The new TV Show is not the same without them.

[@FortInTheWoods]

I agree.. those two inspired so much of my childhood..it won't be the same.... you might find my channel interesting. I feel we are onto that vibe a little.

[@justinlord7243]

0:29 his face tho. he looks like a kid with a brand new tricycle.

[@ayshaalexander3715]

Does the sling have to release for it to be considered a trebuchet?

[@FortInTheWoods]

I think that is a crucial part of its operation. If the sling doesn't open it tends to just smash the projectile around. At leat that's what happened to me. I just built a huge one.

[@joshualaw375]

Wow.

[@CptnJCFG]

So this is what a superior siege weapon looks like

[@robertboykin1828]

Wheels, Wheels, you gotta have wheels onit. The original people finally discovered that many years ago.

[@wtfduud]

It's supposed to hit the ceiling. A 45 degree angle is the optimal range.

[@bubbaray575]

Well I'm sure the upstairs neighbors are thrilled....oh well, they're jerks anyway; fire at will!!!

[@williammaunder158]

Where's this "full size trebuchet"? Narrator at 1:00

[@raf_thomas4760]

My cousin and I are building a 10 foot trebuchet in our grandma’s backyard

[@genevaxo]

Nostalgia.

[@chickenofthecave1406]

If you add wheels it’ll fire further

[@Juke-Fox]

Adam Savage:*is an an amazing cosplayer, cosplay designer, kitbasher, & Engineer, that even dabbled in pyrotechnics one time* Me: HeY aReN't YoU tHaT gUy FrOm MyThBuStErS?

[@SeanKubin]

Remember when Adam said that he hates duct tape. That every task he could use duct tape for there is a superior product that works better. That duct tape isn't even in his mental toolbox of things to use...BUSTED!

[@ericschultz2730]

how high should the fulcrum be and does the 3.75/1 mean feet or no?

[@heinzguderian9748]

Now,,, I completely Understand,, How Trebuchet Work

[@vegetinMC]

I was wondering what if I got Isekai into the middle ages and I needed to defend some castle

[@alexthebest641]

Is this like a catapult? I think the catapult works better

[@JohnGuest45]

Trebs were designed to throw very heavy missiles with good accuracy.

[@Prae5618]

This will help me to complete my lego trebuchet

[@BastuGubbar]

gonna got buy a logging camp so i can make the largest one yet

[@natemajor6560]

is there an adam savage one day build of this?

[@7-3-3]

Trebuchet is a french weapon :p

[@VillyPhil]

Didn't the Mongols use them during Europe invasion? My source is Medieval II: Total War.

[@krijelis]

Trebuchet originated in China

[@omnaysayer]

yeah lol, celts get bonuses for siege weapons. go figure.

[@JourneyToTheCage]

KesherMedia Kay Em wtf celts were gone at this point

[@fendifumi333]

Frenchies knows whats up

[@benicioc7382]

I watched this like an hour ago on Vessel

[@suyash4583]

0:30 is that a JoJo reference?

[@almond6658]

STANDO PAWAA!

[@Dylunic]

I guess this is how Arya Stark got yeeted out of nowhere to kill the Night King.

[@8460437]

Build a new and improved one, the Floating Arm Trebuchet. It’s more efficient.

[@FortInTheWoods]

They are cool. A almost made one but went for a huge classic design for the old school look. But the float arms are awesome. You should take a lol at my treb video. Filmed it with a drone.

[@FortInTheWoods]

Look ha not lol

[@JohnGuest45]

The FAT was superceded by the Fat 2K which provided more potential energy due to the longer drop.

[@rrinterieur6842]

i saw the upcoming of the corona virus, i thought i might need this for later...walking dead scenario

[@sacktheargonian]

The fustibalus is a handheld trebuchet. Lindybeige has a video on how to make one.

[@Opinionteer]

Wonder how they came up with 3.7 to 1

[@evansantos1109]

Who's building this for Tobler? 😩

[@nelubloop]

omg yes 🙉🙉🙉

[@nailinmalin1719]

does anyone know the original source of the 90kg projectile at over 300m thing? I've writing my senior physics investigation on the trebuchet (built one myself) and I've slipped in the meme into it, but i need a source

[@john20pb]

"trust me"