Trebuchet- Easy to Build! | Evening Woodworker

[@capnchip]

What a great Daddy! Those boys will NEVER forget that....and they helped build it!

[@omcorc]

You’d be surprised what people forget over time, especially children. But it doesn’t mean the kids didn’t have a great time.

[@Pd-17]

Outstanding Dad! Mom taught me how to cook and sew. Dad taught me construction and renovations. Grandpa always had time in his shop for whatever build I dreamed up. Awesome project!

[@CaptainPantys]

LOL!!! Those kiddos were so happy to see the wall fall down. That genuinely made me feel good.

[@JoshuaHorn]

Looks like a fun project. My dad built one of these with us growing up. Ours was over 6 ft tall, and had nice medieval style wooden wheels too. Unfortunately it didn't last all that long, the wood around the arm axle broke and never got repaired.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's awesome! It's always fun while it lasts but nobody has room to store a trebuchet year round!

[@Tylerstrodtman]

@@EveningWoodworker Hold my beer...

[@VicDumb]

That's awesome you still hold that memory! ❤❤❤

[@jimbougard8560]

Thank you for the super simplification of this system. I have wanted to build a trebuchet for years. You just proved that it does NOT have to be elaborate to be fun. I live in Florida and want to build one to pitch coconuts out into the Caloosahatchee river.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds like a good time!!

[@BearlyBull]

Dad goals. This is awesome, would love to try it with my boys

[@EveningWoodworker]

It was a lot of fun... you should!

[@skaaly]

I love Billy Crystal! Such a classic

[@patrickclancy4434]

This is great and you can see how much fun your kids had with this!

[@rancidshitposter7546]

Wish my my dad did stuff like this with me when i was a kid respect to you keep up the good work as a dad and a video creator 👍

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@dale9042]

I just wanted to let you know... I built this trebuchet with brand new wood and more optimized dimensions, and the launch distance was 137 feet. It was for a competition in my class. Thanks for the help

[@EveningWoodworker]

Wow, good job! That out performs mine by a long shot. I hope you won the competition!

[@sophiamusquiz4601]

can i ask what we’re the dimensions? i have a school competition too.

[@elimikus1767]

same, do u mind sharing the dimensions???

[@dale9042]

@@elimikus1767 Probably a bit late by now, But I don't have the dimension for the project as I lost the files where I planned the project.

[@elimikus1767]

@@dale9042 naw ur good, ima just not make it

[@lukewhitecloud8240]

Pretty sure you won the "amazing dad" award! Good for you, man!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I hope so!

[@MacLOUD150]

I love the boys excitement/learning!

[@EveningWoodworker]

They definitely had fun!

[@scott3769]

Just built one of these with my son using your plans. Came out awesome, thanks for putting this up!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sweet! I'm glad it worked, and it's always great to do it with your kids!

[@JDStone-jg8cg]

@@EveningWoodworker I've been wanting to build a catapult for a while and even tried to build a torsion catapult that didn't work very well. I could toss black walnuts about 15 feet lol This design looks like it would be much easier to produce long range throws! I'm interested in seeing if i could hang 3 to 5 plumbata on the arm to see how it throws them and in what kind of pattern . . . Obviously going to use a large field away from people and animals! But i'm looking forward to using your simple design!

[@c0mr4de3lm0]

I needed this for my engineering class

[@ronniesharp129]

that's an amazing and fun way to build a catapult and it even helped me fix problems with mine not releasing

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I'm glad it helped... there was a lot of trial and error to get it to work right!

[@DIGOLOGIST]

That was great. I'm a metal detectorist who plans to magnet fish. I want to build a Trebuchet magnet thrower ! I think I can do it with a little trial and error. thanks for the easy design.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds fun...good luck!

[@shaycannell5977]

The awesome dad award good to thia guy for sure!

[@toebarsrealm3773]

Cool. Looks like a fun build! Im working on repurposing an inversion table into a trbuchet about that size.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That should already have a great pivot built in!

[@toebarsrealm3773]

​@@EveningWoodworkeralmost done with it and looking forward to testing.

[@averageoutdoorsman9342]

For anybody who wants a long term or more robust design, cut the lengths of the through dowels, 3 inches over length. This gives 1.5 inch overhang on either side, drill a hole and use some old nut bolt combos you have laying around as pins. Still easy to disassemble but won't come flying apart when you launch something.

[@MaximilianoSegovia]

I remember building my first trebuchet with my group of friends back in high school. We built it as part of a class project. It was a little bit taller (and larger) than yours, and it was really fun to build and to fire. Watching the joy of your kids brought me memories. Thank you! Ps: I still wonder how the teacher and the school principal allowed us to actually build (and fire!) a working siege engine at the school premises.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! That sounds fun!

[@mabraham1]

We're building one tomorrow with our Scout Troop 733!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Awesome! Sounds fun!... Eagle Scout here too

[@lordllewellynofdarkdelight2613]

Nice! And and nice art skills on the shadows on the bricks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I had fun doing that too!

[@afidram]

Great project - kids had a blast!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Definitely! They want to launch pumpkins next

[@Dizzaro]

Why am I looking up how to build a trebuchet? I'm actively trying to study for a test

[@j.z.5678]

This is the perfect size for throwing rubbish and dog shit at my neighbours house! Thank you so much!!!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Brilliant! You can start a siege!

[@Miscellaneous_Toaster]

Giving the enemy's sicknesses! Great thinking

[@Jackknifegyp]

Terrific. One of the best I've seen.

[@skeets6060]

The Pickish hordes breaching Hardens wall... lol OUTSTANDING

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sadly, the kingdom has fallen.

[@skeets6060]

@@EveningWoodworker It has indeed stay safe keep your eyes onthe sky line

[@Sun_bamboo]

So cool ❤❤❤

[@Napoleon_based]

civilizationV moment great video

[@oldfarmer9004]

THAT WAS AWESOME!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@Abusami51214]

Your sons must be proud of havind such a nice father!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks, I hope so!

[@agustinreyes4879]

could you put the measurements of each of the elements: the different pieces of wood, etc...? please

[@thomasrosenthal1738]

This is a good project, but if more range isdesired there are some modifications that will help. First, taper the long part of the arm on its trailing edge, starting at the tip proceeding back about 2/3 of the long arm's length. The wood looks like 2X4, so leave 1.5 inches at the tip. This does not weaken the arm (Gallileo proved that a few centuries ago) and gives less mass that has to be accelerated. Second, replace the boards that support the counterweight with longer ones, so that there is just sufficient clearance under the weights at BDC. For geometric reasons this allows more energy to be transferred from the weight into the arm, and then into the projectile.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Time to do some upgrades!

[@richardl6751]

@@EveningWoodworker Thomas gave two great suggestions and here's two more. First, add wheels under the base. As the weight drops it also moves rearward. It's inerta will cause the trebuchet to move forward adding speed to the projectile. Second, add a bar to hold the weight out at an angle. This will increase the distance from the fulcrum adding to Thomas' second suggestion and it will raise the weight giving greater potential energy. These four suggestions will add to the range.

[@danhouck4148]

It would take a miracle...Max

[@walterwhite2246]

great video!

[@neilreynolds5647]

You are the coolest dad on god's green earth.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha, thanks! I'm trying to make some memories with them.

[@willholly1844]

At 2:15 I.E. "I wanna dispose of evidence quickly".

[@oldsagerat]

These boys and father will remember this for the rest of their lives.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I hope so! Sometimes we pull it out when friends come over too

[@AmanSharma-vx9iu]

The superior seige engine is here...

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yep...now the house is protected!

[@keithkimsten5111]

LOL. I built one five years ago counterweighted with 200 pounds of concrete. It shot 5 to 6 pound pumpkins 80 to 85 feet. Great fun but had to be dismantled due to the danger level being a solid 8 out of 10. It was too big to fit in the garage so it had to go. Have fun! Stay safe.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha sounds epic!

[@randy-yk1yk]

You're killing me I can't remember what movie that's from. I'll be grinding on this till I come up with it.

[@detsuh]

The quote at the end? It’s from “The Princess Bride” Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) says it towards the end of the movie.

[@EveningWoodworker]

You'll figure it out 😉

[@steelefuegen1788]

I know it's been a while since this was posted. But are there dimensions for your build somewhere? I cannot find any. Would love to give this a try for our youth group

[@Chhangte2006]

thank you very much, my neighbours were a bit annoying and now i can give them a message

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! That'll teach 'em

[@allivanaip]

Very good dad!

[@ellie-uf3jt]

helpful, thankyou!

[@mikochild2]

This looks fun. I'd love to do this. Glad I stumbled across the video.

[@orionderonne8052]

me and my dad just made one and its awemazing

[@stephanieanderson7099]

I can't wait to build this with my kids! Dad goals am I right? What is the total distance it can shoot/how far it will shoot?

[@EveningWoodworker]

We got about 80 feet with this size

[@jakefroyo3670]

Could this be used to launch a watermelon

[@EveningWoodworker]

Oh yes most definitely!

[@someguy5944]

@@EveningWoodworker Hey ferb, i know what were going to do today!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Nicely done! I wonder what would happen if the sling was made with something rigid instead of rope. It could still be a soft pouch, or maybe a hinged hard pocket.

[@EveningWoodworker]

You probably could, although one important key is to reduce weight on the long sling end and increase weight on the short weighted end. The rope is pretty light.

[@hyphen8d725]

@@EveningWoodworker The optimal weight ratio of those two is 133:1

[@RogueArcher24]

I'm leaving this comment so the feds have more to sift through I will be absolutely employing one of these during the rebellion against corporate **** greed LOL

[@EveningWoodworker]

Bwahaha... best comment EVER!

[@nann1eee]

could I get measurements on all the wood? currently building a trebuchet inspired by yours for a school project!!

[@richardl6751]

He said in another comment, "the base is 20 x 42 and the pivot is 38.5" off the ground". That should give you a start to calculate everything else.

[@Sneaky-hj3br]

Wait, how do you keep the arm in the center of the fulcrum?

[@DirtyK1911]

Princess Bride.... nearly spit out my coffee when you did that!! Which website did you use?

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha, that's a very quotable movie! Website is virtualtrebuchet.com

[@samanthachristou3432]

good work🙂

[@armatolos_1234]

I watch this, in case, I got time travel by accident in Ancient Greece XD

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! Now you're ready for time travel!

[@armatolos_1234]

@@EveningWoodworker HAHA!! HELL YEAH! READY TO GO TO ATHENS!

[@debreczenizoltan490]

You would be a rockstar to help out them with a weapon 1.5 millenia before it's original timeline.

[@bellabin7481]

hi great video! what were the measurements for the base and everything?

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! 42" tall and 42" long and about 19" wide. The main arm is 48" long

[@maxblockwoodshop1979]

Hahahaha fun project with the kids. Nice.

[@thefanceman]

so cool

[@vwdiver512]

So fun!

[@templarlord7295]

What is the length in "inches" was each pipe after you cut it down to the three sizes?

[@EveningWoodworker]

17", 8", 8"

[@templarlord7295]

@@EveningWoodworker much obliged My good sir.

[@johnchristmas2304]

PRINCESS BRIDE, NICE ONE!!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Someone finally got it! Thank you!

[@DanielG2050]

What are your base and post dimensions? Thank you!

[@elliotdelgado3588]

hey bro could you share with me the length of the wood specifically

[@bennettfrfr]

Is it possible that you could tell me what your exact dimentions are so i can know what to use and what to buy thanks

[@EveningWoodworker]

Unfortunately I don't have plans or anything for this, but the overall dimensions for the base are 42"x19" at 42" tall. The main pivoting arm is 48" long. For the short swinging arms with the weight on it, the holes are spaced 12" apart, so probably about 16" long boards. Hope that helps!

[@Wayworn]

Hey! Quick question, as I’m using this design to help me build a trebuchet for a school project: About how many 2x4s did you use, if you can recall? Also, if my family and I don’t have the same setup as you do with the woodworking shop, is there a way for us to complete this still? I’m having a hard time imagining how we would drill the holes in the wood for the 3/4”metal bars...

[@EveningWoodworker]

I think we used about 3 or 4- 2x4s. To drill the large hole you really just need a large drill bit. I would suggest a hole saw or forstner bit. Both of these can be drilled using a hand drill if you keep it perpendicular. The cuts could also be made using a hand saw if you didn't have a way to cut it with a power tool. Good luck on your project!

[@Wayworn]

@@EveningWoodworker thank you!! I finished it just yesterday. Mine launches a golf ball about 65 feet! :)

[@OliviaBuena]

How tall is the pivot?

[@benjaminlua6251]

How did you make it so that it actually releases at the top and isn’t affected by centripetal force?

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's the beauty of the washer/clipped nail setup. The washer doesn't come off until the nail is pointing straight up. That's when the projectile is released. You can bend the nail slightly to change that release point

[@grantrizmo2002cb]

I noticed you switched to dumbbells at the end, how many lbs is that? (2) 10lbs?

[@EveningWoodworker]

I tried dumbells first but didn't have enough weight with those. The bigger weights work better

[@mikerphone.]

What were the modifications you had to make for the improved shot? I'm using your dimensions so I'd imagine im going to run into the same issues.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Most of what we changed was the sling design to try to get it to hold the projectiles better. If you have trouble with it flipping over, try making a duct tape design similar to this: images.app.goo.gl/r2Cy2QqwgsGsvUrd8 Good luck!

[@AFEEF93]

What were the lengths of the 2x4's holding the circle weight?

[@EveningWoodworker]

The length from one pivot to the other pivot is 12". Add about 2" on either end for your 2x4 length

[@johnhenderson466]

Like for the Princess Bride quote.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Finally somebody appreciates it!! Thanks man!

[@morotegari1]

Nice

[@maconSTUFF]

Great build man... I'm gonna try something like this for my next video... maybe just a little smaller... Sub'd

[@EveningWoodworker]

You should! It's fun!

[@channelk-5145]

You didnt explain how the other end of the rope break from the wood

[@EveningWoodworker]

One end of the rope connecting the sling has a washer at one end so it comes off when the arm is pointing up.

[@supercannonball1236]

Anyone know if something like this would be SCA legal? Asking for a friend.

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

It's been three years. How is the siege going?

[@EveningWoodworker]

We have successfully invaded the forest

[@mattwith3696]

What were the dimensions of the base?

[@EveningWoodworker]

20 x 42... on mine the pivot is 38.5" off the ground

[@dhruv-i3x]

I also have a school project to build this 😂😅

[@DAMitAlI]

I’m goi g to see if my niece would be interested in something like this

[@EveningWoodworker]

It's fun! Great for launching small pumpkins too!

[@felcsutegykamucsapat9890]

Very good! But: you should push the throwing arm as down as you can! It will give more energy to your machine! It's very important. Look other trebuchet videos, the arm is on the ground! But, very interesting and good video.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good idea for the next iteration!

[@baconlord349]

You are like my grandpa, but younger and less cool (because you aren't my grandpa). Cool video though, want to make a trebuchet with the aforementioned grandpa.

[@Hamborgereater]

It is 2 am why am I here

[@audinos4827]

This would be an awesome way to hurl dog crap out of your yard.

[@kyle123four]

i got to build one to use on my Karen neighbor

[@EveningWoodworker]

They won't know what hit them

[@kyle123four]

@@EveningWoodworker until they look out the window and see a trebuchet aimed at them

[@phoenixfire7888]

Anyone else think he kinda looks like Matt Damon?

[@EveningWoodworker]

Ha! I think I'm okay with that!

[@lacobernal5775]

3.75 per 1

[@caderbavahmuhammadsiddick384]

👍💚💙♥️👏👏🙌😊

[@KarlaGonzalez-i3h]

Gracias a ti tilen voy a ganar mi proyecto escolar y voy a poder comer tácitos de suadero

[@EveningWoodworker]

De nada... Bueno suerte con su proyecto!

[@belindabanner377]

Seriously America, adopt the metric system.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Bwahaha... if only it was that simple

[@craftybarstool2830]

Crazy i might try this thnx and check my videos dude

[@EveningWoodworker]

You should!