Trebuchet Projects
If you are looking to build a trebuchet I have a whole series of projects here for you to check out. They range in sizes and strength anywhere from a tiny trebuchet made out of popsicle sticks to large ones that can hurl pumpkins! I have a whole series of tutorials, advice on making your trebuchet more efficient, videos, plans and just about everything you could possibly want to know about these remarkable siege engines. |
Quick guide to my Trebuchet Making Tutorials |
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New Quick tip submitted by a web visitor: If you are building a largish trebuchet or catapult (3 feet in size or more) you can buy a really cheap gate latch as the trigger mechanism. It's easy to do and it works really well. I have more about it right here: Easy and cheap trigger for a catapult or trebuchet
The Carpenter's Trebuchet - This is one of the best looking trebuchets I have ever seen and it was built by a professional carpenter. There are no bolts, screws, nails or glue! It uses wooden pegs, a little bit of wire and dados. Learn more and see more pictures right here: The Carpenter's Trebuchet
Chris' Twelve foot trebuchet! . ( The Golf Lobber!)This trebuchet shoots a golf ball 435 feet! Yup, Its an amazing machine. Chris gives us some tips and you can see vital pictures of the axle, trigger and more. Chris's Big Trebuchet
Ken's Spectacular Trebuchet. This is quite an amazing little treb. It fires projectiles 50 feet and it has an ingenious little ratcheting mechanism. I show you that ratchet right here: Ken's Trebuchet
The DeskTitan of Demolition! A desktop trebuchet made by Aaron. This treb has a great medieval look. See more pics and get tips from Aaron here: The DeskTitan of Demolition Trebuchet
The Table Top Crossbow - This is an amazing little crossbow made and submitted by a web visitor. You have to check this out. More pics and information here: The Table Top Crossbow
Caleb's Trebuchet
This is an amazing backyard trebuchet and it fires projectiles 120 feet!. See more pictures and learn more about how to make a trebuchet like this. Caleb's Trebuchet
About a Trebuchet Kit
Thinking about buying a trebuchet kit? I have some great advice with pictures from a web visitor (Paul) who did just this. He gives us his opinion on the treb he bought and built and he also has added some pictures! Paul's Treb kit build
Barry's Exquisite Trebuchet
This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful trebuchets I have ever seen. It is made out of fine woods and was built by a carpenter. It is just about all pinnned with dowels. And does it fire? Sure does! Over 50 feet! Barry's Trebuchet for pics and more information This is what can happen when you have a professional carpenter make a siege engine!
The Behemoth: Ten foot Trebuchet
This is monster of a Siege engine. I have instructions on how to build one, more pictures and a video showing it launching a six pound rock. Nice project. (the tutorial is not yet done) Check out the Behemoth Trebuchet here
The popsicle stick Trebu-pult project! This is a great little project made out of popsicle sticks and submitted by a web visitor. Complete step by step tutorial right here: Make the Popsicle stick trebupult
A New Article about the Trebuchet Arm: I have received lots of email from people who have built trebuchets and the most common question they have is about how to make the arm better. I have put together a few tips to help you make the arm of your treb the best you can: About the Trebuchet Arm
I have built a miniature version of the Citadel Egyptian trebuchet shown below. I am currently writing a tutorial on how to make one: Make Saladin's Trebuchet
New: Want to see pictures of a real medieval trebuchet? . This is a treb that is on display outside the Citadel Medieval Fortress in Cairo Egypt. I call it Saladin's Trebuchet. The swing arm is approximately 18 feet in length. A real Medieval Trebuchet
Trebuchet Projects
Make a Tennis Ball Trebuchet - (Fast and easy)
A fast and easy trebuchet project with lots of power. How to make a tennis ball trebuchet I keep it simple and use common stuff so you don't have to spend any money.
The Little Dragon Trebuchet Project - Complete tutorial with lots of pictures on how to make this table top trebuchet. This is a nice little afternoon project you can make out of small pieces of wood and a little bit of time. It's a really great example of how a trebuchet works.
Here is a great little trebuchet made out of popsicle sticks. This project was built and submitted by Tom Wilson. My thanks to Tom for this project. How to make a popsicle stick trebuchet
A look at a pvc Trebuchet
PVC is a type of plastic pipe that is readily available in any home improvement or hardware store. Here is a trebuchet that a web visitor made as a school project. You can see more pics and learn more about it here: The PVC Trebuchet
"This is the Red Rolling Hood Trebuchet! Made as a father and daughter project!" It can throw a golf ball 20 feet with an empty counter weight bucket and It came out great."
Here is a great trebuchet built by James. He calls it "The Big Pumpkin". This is a good example of how a pretty big trebuchet can be built out of some pieces of 2x4 and 2x3's. My thanks to James for the great picture!
Here is another great trebuchet picture. This was built and submitted by James too. It's a good example of how you can be creative with wood and make all kinds of shapes and sizes of trebs.
New Project: Here is a great trebuchet project made out of office supplies that a web visitor has submitted. The Office Supply Trebuchet
The Bicycle Wheel Trebuchet Project - Complete with video This is a crazy project that uses a bowling ball as a counterweight. It really builds up some energy. It is so powerful that the frame broke twice. Each time I had to reinforce it.
Trebuchet projects submitted by Web Visitors. These trebs show some nice ingenuity and some effective improvements on my trebuchet design
Trebuchets Built By Web Visitors
Looking for a trebuchet project unlike any other? How about building a trebuchet, mantlet, battering ram and a castle to siege! This is exactly what a web visitor (Krzysztof O.) has done. And I have pictures: The Siege the Castle project
Is it possible to build this trebuchet successfully? It sure is! A web visitor has built one, and taken pictures. He has also made a nice little design improvement to it. His treb has a neat little locking bar so you can lock it in the ready position then pull the pin to fire it off. You can see pictures of his Trebuchet and his design improvement here.
Another great trebuchet project submitted by a web visitor. This treb is a big success and the builder has done some great research that will help you build an even better trebuchet! He also carefully explains the optimal weight ratio between the counterweight and the projectile Check it out here for some great tips and information
Here is a neat little project that somebody made (Adil). He made his trebuchet at half the size of the project here. And he did a little modification. Instead of using the long string and pouch he used a spoon to hold the projectile -- this is similar to how an Onager works. Nice work on this little trebuchet project -- it shows some good improvisation. He also made a little castle to assault with his siege engine and he created two videos that you can watch here Mini Trebuchet Project If you are having trouble with your trebuchet string and pouch these videos show a nice alternative. If you want to make a smaller one you should check this one out.
Here is another trebuchet that a web visitor built. It is by Gabe C. I call this one the Ferrari of Trebuchets because of the excellent custom paint job including flames! Gabe also made a couple of very nice improvements on my design that you might want to check out. Gabe C's Trebuchet
Trebuchet Videos - There are some crazy and enormous Trebuchets out there including one made for a volkswagen commercial and one that fires humans Treb Vids
Catapults and Siege Engines
The Miniature Trebuchet by Timberkits
The trebuchet was the ultimate artillery weapon of the medieval period and early renaissance. A large and unwieldy weapon, it was typically built on-site during battle, and tuned to lob great weights - such as the carcasses of rotting horses and pots of burning pitch, over the castle walls and onto its inhabitants. Precision carved by computer controlled machinery for guaranteed fit and accurate joinery. The detailed instructions include loads of photos of each step of the construction process, tuning tips and safety notes. Included in the kit are four wooden projectiles, all the necessary components for the sling, trigger, and counterweight bucket as well as all the parts for the kit. The only thing you'll need to supply are 88 pennies for counterweight and a few simple tools - Scissors, a ruler, a utility knife, wood glue and a few rubber bands to hold the pieces together while the glue dries. Manufactured by RLT Industries
The Miniature Trebuchet - The trebuchet was the ultimate artillery weapon of the medieval period and early renaissance. A large and unwieldy weapon, it was typically built on-site during battle, and tuned to lob great weights - such as the carcasses of rotting horses and pots of burning pitch, over the castle walls and onto its inhabitants. This is our newest and smallest trebuchet design in a long line of catapult kits. Designed by master trebuchet expert Ron Toms, this machine is ideal for the student on a budget or as a wonderful display piece for any desktop or bookshelf of any history enthusiast. Precision carved by computer controlled machinery for guaranteed fit and accurate joinery. The detailed instructions include loads of photos of each step of the construction process, tuning tips and safety notes. Included in the kit are four wooden projectiles, all the necessary components for the sling, trigger, and counterweight bucket as well as all the parts for the kit. The only thing you'll need to supply are 64 pennies for counterweight and a few simple tools - Scissors, a ruler, a utility knife, wood glue and a few rubber bands to hold the pieces together while the glue dries. Tools required: Scissors, Glue, Ruler, rubber bands and a utility knife. Sandpaper is optional. Additional Counterweight Required: 64 pennies. Range: About 10 feet.
Working Wood Catapult DIY Kit, 6
What good is a catapult if you don't have a castle to attack!
I have another project you might like. It is the Paper Castle and it has everything you could want in a castle making project including all the art work you can download. You just follow the instructions and make it yourself with some glue and cereal boxes. Build a Paper and Cardboard Castle It also has a learning sheet that helps to learn about castles when you are building it.
If you are looking for something easier to make you might want to try my project on making a popsicle stick catapult. Fast, easy and fun project! Goes great with the paper medieval castle. Make a popsicle stick catapult
Storm The Castle Catapult Game - Build a Popsicle stick catapult and hurl paper balls at the castle. How to make the Game and the catapult are here
