Floating Arm Trebuchet

[aozy16]

its NOT floating.

[circleofowls]

I was able to throw a fist sized water balloon over my house into the back yard, but it was very inconsistent. A better design would include a mechanism to prevent the throwing arm from brushing against the horizontal guides and some lateral support for the vertical guides to keep them steady.

[zonaton]

can you please tell me how far this shoots?

[ImortalConflict]

How far can this launch a golf ball?

[circleofowls]

Actually the pivot wheel on the throw arm does use the entire length of the horizontal rails as it is throwing, so while you could move the CW guides further towards the front you would also have to provide a method of stopping the arm from falling forward off the ends of the rails - which would shorten the length of the arm's forward movement and could effect the release point and trajectory. Sounds like an interesting idea though, it could be worth a try.

[Hassassin1990]

hey, nice design. Would the distance be improved if you moved the CW guides to the right, thus allowing for a longer arm?

[freakyoucool]

I looked at you sketch, but i cant read the measurements. can you please provide the here. thanks.

[Satch2424]

Looks fantastic. how far did it shoot?

[Luddiver]

what do you use as firing mechanism? and same question about the guide bearing system...?

[mynameisaustn]

how much wight is on there? and how long is the sling? thanks

[circleofowls]

I believe that there are 30lbs on there in this video. I've used up to 60, but it bent the 1" pipe that they are mounted on.

[SuperMrgolf]

Where did you get the plans to make that. I want to make one.

[circleofowls]

I designed it using Sketchup; plans are in the "more info" link above.

[RandomMonster]

What are the dimensions, I would like to build one with a height of 2 ft max

[circleofowls]

It is about 42" high. For the full dimensions, see the Google Sketchup model linked to above.

[Madsmash92]

oh yes i forgot one thing what would you say the best ratio from the throwing part with the weight on it to the slinging part of the throwing arm i have a 48in limit on my throwing arm and would like to use as closely to that limit as possible

[Madsmash92]

thank you soo much i am building a similar model for a contest and was wondering all day about how the weight drops without hitting a bar but i noticed the space for the weight to drop thanks

[the5chronicles]

How far does it fire?

[ga07bulldog]

and how do u release?

[ga07bulldog]

cool video...where can u get the wheel thing? because i am wanting to build 1

[circleofowls]

The wheel I purchased at Home Depot, I believe it was marked as a lawnmower replacement. It is solid plastic about 4" in diameter. The trigger mechanism is formed with three large screw-eyes; two on the rear-most cross member and a third on the underside of the throwing arm. When the arm is cocked, the eye on the arm fits tightly between the two on the frame. It is held in place with a pin that runs though all three, and is removed (fired) with a length of cord.

[phantomlink104]

very cool