How to wrap the rope on a Torsion Catapult (Mangonel)

[LegoScout09]

what type of rope would you recommend for a catapult with an arm about 4.5 feet long and relatively heavy?

[COLLATER4L]

Would this exact catapult be able to launch a ping pong ball 10 meters in your opinion?

[epicfantasy]

@COLLATER4L yes

[banditblade4]

Thanks! this was a lot of help!

[hargunjot]

and my max launch distance must be 6 m

[epicfantasy]

@hargunjot hmm.. nylon rope works well and you might want to try paracord. I heard that works real well. Are you tightening in the corrrect direction? Sometimes people get that wrong. How far does it fire?

[hargunjot]

i've tied my rope, and my catapault is 40 cm by 20 cm by 20 cm, its looks similar to your small one, but i cannot find the right rope to use, please help!!

[Spatty95]

would this be good to launch from 8m to 10m long?

and what kind of rope do you need?

and how long should it be?

[epicfantasy]

@Spatty95 Yes, this would work. Nylon rope and a whole lot of it. Something like 50 feet , maybe more.

[studman4250]

what size should i make mine if it has to launch 50 meters? and what is the best string?

[epicfantasy]

@studman4250 That's a very long launch. You willl need a ten foot catapult or trebuchet. Check out my behemoth trebuchet. That one does 50 meters.

[Ksiddful]

I did exactly what you did in the video but my tennis ball only launches 3 m

its at a 90 degree angle but it doesn't really make a difference when its less. Also, i don't understand how you keep the handles on the side from turning after you've gotten all the tension possible...please help!

[epicfantasy]

@Ksiddful The catapult should launch at 45 degrees. That is much better. The rope gets so tight and the handles get tight. The torsion keeps them from turning on their own.

[the16drummerDT]

could you tell me the dimensions of the big one?? please

[epicfantasy]

@the16drummerDT I think I have some stuff about the catapults on my website.

[CubanRevival]

Ovrr, Undrrr.

[XDo0mSdaYX]

You know the rope you used for the smaller torsion catapult, what kind of rope was it? Because the twine I used wasn't able to hold and it snapped when i turned the pegs to increase the tension.

[devilsMovieBull]

Haha i kno that a ballista has 2 arm an 2 torsion springs

[devilsMovieBull]

is this working for a ballista?

[epicfantasy]

@devilsMovieBull Depends on the ballista. this possibly could be used for the wrapping of a ballista. 2x because the ballista has two arms.

[CobaltX07]

So it's a tripod lashing. Wow, I never knew these torsion engines were so easy to wrap.

[kawaiichaco]

@epicfantasy thx

[kawaiichaco]

What would you use to hold a tennis ball to launch, like a regular sized tennis ball?

I plan on entering a contest and you must be able to fire a tennis ball.

Any ideas?!?!?

Please it's due in a week.

Someone reply :(

[epicfantasy]

@kawaiichaco Cut a plastic cup to size

[loganrobison14]

what was the width of the rope you used

[LOP33333]

How big does my catapult need to be and how much rope would I need to use to shoot a small melon 100 yards?

[epicfantasy]

@LOP33333 Probably at least 5-6 feet. YOu will need a big catapult, very strongly built.

[LOP33333]

@epicfantasy the dimensions for my catapult is 6ft long 3.5 ft wide and a 5.5ft arm. On those dimensions how much rope do you think?

[epicfantasy]

@LOP33333 I don't know but it will be a lot. Maybe 30 feet or more. You just get a large piece of rope then keep wrapping it until you can't fit any more of it!

[kandy5kiss69]

What kind of rope are you using?? im doing this for a project and like it is not working so well so i am wondering does it matter what kind of rope i use??

[epicfantasy]

@kandy5kiss69 the rope does matter but there are other things more important. Do you have any pics of the catapult. Be glad to take a look and offer advice.

[xara168]

how far does the projectile go when using dis catapult

[sk8erboy3414]

My catapult is failing atm but im trying to fix it

[rukaxmiku]

OMG THANKS THANKS THANKS!! >< IT REALLY WORKED OMG... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! although... er... the catapult wasn't very strong for tennis balls but it was okay!! tyvvvvm :)

[epicfantasy]

@rukaxmiku Grats! and you are very welcome! have fun with the catapult.

[angelavila96]

Thanks alot it worked

[angelavila96]

I built mine but when I twist it the throwing arm goes down instead of up

[Sonics777]

@angelavila96 when you twist the the handles, make sure you twist both the handles forward, that way the arm will move up and forward towards the front frame of the catapult. LOL I also did the same when I first made this! :P:P

[DEANaLEAN]

Would Bungee Cords being attached to the plank make the object travel further or this technique ?

[epicfantasy]

@DEANaLEAN Difficult to say for sure. Generally I have better results with torsion like this rather than bungee cords.

[UdoraAndrew]

My boys and I built this as a March Break project. We followed directions but the end result was a catapult that failed to launch a tennis ball the length of our driveway (50 ft.) We will try to rewind the rope to see if we can get some more velocity.

[epicfantasy]

@UdoraAndrew keep after it, the launch angle is important too, and the type of rope makes a difference. The launch angle can be changed by moving or modifying the crossbar.

[UdoraAndrew]

Thanks for the response.

We can make some revisions to the crossbar, maybe fasten it to the front of the vertical 2x4s.

I'm also debating with the swing arm. If I used a jigsaw to trim the "shaft" area of the arm and reduce the weight, that should increase the velocity.

Our ultimate objective is to be able to launch water ballons from the deck of the cottage down on to the swim raft, so we have a few months to figure out the details.

[blackvolt24]

how long should the rope be for this size of catapult

[Mrsupp1]

i love the inthusiism

[barfGAMER101]

I built this, and now im fiddling around with the rope. how thick should the rope be and what material is the rope?

[epicfantasy]

@barfGAMER101 depends on the size of the catapult. Just string for a table top size, and clothes line rope for a floor model. Try different types to see which works best. Usually a nylon type rope works well because it has a lot of spring to it.

[Arperture2008]

If the size of this was increased 100x what material besides rope should be used or just use rope? What about using nylon? or metal wire? I know the navy used hemp rope for heavy duty jobs.. How far does yours send a pound of weight?

[epicfantasy]

@Arperture2008 wow, you get a big catapult and you have to be careful with the wrapping. A lot of tension on those ropes. Could be dangerous. I have no idea about the hurling distance of mine. Just fired it against the walls in the basement. Got a big trebuchet in the backyard though. Trying to finish it up. Buried in snow at the moment.

[xxamber03]

Thanks so much. This help a looot. (: 

[asiansmurf1]

i am making something like this for school but does it matter how big the arm is? need help please mssg asap thanks, also how what are you using to tie up the string on the side, thanks again

[asiansmurf1]

i am making something like this for school but does it matter how big the arm is? need help please mssg asap thanks, also how what are you using to tie up the string on the side, thanks again

[911LILMAN]

i cant get on your site so i was wondering if you can tell me the measurements you used like example if u used 48 in by 24 in how many pieces of tht measurement

[1226dragon]

that is the only thing i need

[1226dragon]

thaks a lot that is the only thing i need to built one



[cheesesandwich12]

thanks a lot! i was wondering how to do this, but now i know :)

[ZeroTuck]

@epicfantasy Well thank you very much, sir. My friend and I will have lots of fun building this.

[ZeroTuck]

@epicfantasy And one last question. About how far did you get this catapult to fire?

[epicfantasy]

@ZeroTuck I am not sure how far it fires, I didn't bring it outside. Just bounced projectiles off the basement walls.

[ZeroTuck]

Quick question.

When wrapping on the actual catapult, when I twist the handles for tension, would doing less twists launch the object less of a distance? I have a school project where when I fire the catapult, it must hit at various differences. So would less twists bring less tension, thus far, less distance? Please answer ASAP

[epicfantasy]

@ZeroTuck Yes, this is exactly right. The number of twists will affect the distance thrown. More twists = more tension which means further throws. Good luck!

[jabara83]

how many feet do u need to make it really effective?

[epicfantasy]

@jabara83 You really don't need feet to make it effective, just hands so you can twist the rope.

[vachmed94]

tanks great video



[BuyMEaTACOorIkillyou]

can you use any rope?

[puppywienerdogss]

i just used this for both of the arms on my ballista for my physics project. worked very well!!! thanks!

[WherethisAllStarted]

Wat is the Handle?

[123456789MEP]

Thanks this definetaly cleared that up

[hcsa99]

nice

[IamouraADaniel]

Where did you get the idea for skeining a spoon arm catapult that way? It's useless to put any string through the arm, and a normal straight skein does the job all right.

I'm "King Henri's trebuchet" on youtube and I built also a 1500 pound spoon catapult.

[Wizzkiddie]

Lul, you are building on a table tennis table :o

[KmaEoN]

the rope cross the center wood behind & front.. or also between the wood.. my cuestion is .. the wood in the center have a hole like the sides wood or not..

i'm not very good for englis :/

[dilliscool333]

i was wondering if:

1. can you use this same technic for a ballista?

2. how do you make the broom stick handles stay in place?

thanks

[epicfantasy]

hmm, not sure. A ballista is on my project list though.

[dilliscool333]

also what is the best rope to use?

[Lepsche95]

i just wanted to know if you have the swinging arm facing to the ceiling while you are wrapping the string around or is the swinging arm flat on the floor?

[epicfantasy]

It doesn't matter too much. I just lay the arm flat down because its a bit easier. As soon as you start winding it up is when the tension shows up and the arm gets its spring action.

[jackette55]

Thank you so much for making this making this really big ass model to demonstrate how to do this. There couldn't be a better video for this. Thanks.

[Lepsche95]

I have one question

Is twine string ok to use

[epicfantasy]

Yes, definitely.

[Lepsche95]

Thanks. You are very helpful 5/5 and i subscribed

[kjnsdnfevl]

very nice, thank you.

[Canukklehead13]

I'm working on the same thing but i need to know what type of rope works best the video really helps too

[epicfantasy]

I can't say for absolute sure but it seems that a nylon type rope seems to work the best.

[bladerecker]

How long should the rope be ?

thnx for answering my other question by the way.  5/5 with subscribe

[epicfantasy]

Kind of hard to say, it depends on the thickness of the rope and on the size of the mangonel. I believe this rope here was about 20 feet in length. Rule of thumb for me is to get as much rope in there as you can fit. That usually works pretty good! thanks for the subscribe and the 5/5. I appreciate it!!!

[bladerecker]

Oh, okay thanks and your welcome

but when i wrap the rope and then use the sticks to tighten it, it will keep snapping --__-- lol k thank you ;)

[bladerecker]

Sweeeet! I made it Thanks man!!

:D

[bladerecker]

By the way is there any other things you made that shoot stuff i would also like to know Im so happy!!! :P

[epicfantasy]

I have a whole bunch of catapults, trebuchets and even a bazooka! Check my video playlists and my website. :)

[BoBo9723]

when i made my catapult it didnt work...i dont know why becuase i followed every step...

thanks though

[epicfantasy]

hmmm. can you send me pics of it? Maybe I can help. Try using a nylon rope, they work better. and the most common mistake is to twist the ropes, when loading the catapult, in opposite directions. Be sure you twisted both forward to load it up.

[nikulp68]

to get marshmallow arrows you could just get syrup up and add it to the marshmallows

[willssonglist]

lol! Interesting idea. I might just go ahead and give this a try - epicfantasy

[tfoshohoe]

can u use nylon rope ? any answer would be appreciated. we are building one and are at this spot in the project. thank you

[epicfantasy]

Yes, Sure can. It should work pretty well. Only one way to find out!

[epicfantasy]

Its actually a really good idea. When you put a crossbow on a catapult it becomes a "Ballista" a common siege weapon of the middle ages and the real predecessor to the catapult. I don't make these because they tend to be dangerous. I don't want young ones firing arrows around - until I can figure out how to make an arrow out of marshmallows!!

[cerealnik]

how much string do i need for my catapult?

[epicfantasy]

Depends on which size catapult you made and what size string you use? For the small catapult you will need at least 30 feet and for the large one at least 20 feet, depending on how many wraps you can fit in there.

[jrendoso]

thanks Sir, just what i needed for my Physics 1 project..

[epicfantasy]

You are very welcome. HAve fun and I hope you get an A+ on your Physics project.

[stumpythumper]

Even if your strung-out...or wired...

I still love your projects:)

I understood it too!

[willssonglist]

lol, I am all twisted up!

[pawki]

u can make some video with WW2 stuff ?

[willssonglist]

A lot of people been asking about ww2 diorams. its a great idea. I will definitely do one! Has to be with tanks I am thinking. Any suggestions on what you would like tosee?

[hampurilainenXXL]

omg thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

[bluedemonx31]

OMG thanks sooooooooooooo much i needed this very badly

[epicfantasy]

You are very welcome, have fun with your catapult.

[darksaiyan2006]

Cool! Now launch the cat over the fence!

[epicfantasy]

ROFL!

[DomFILuise]

thank you so much your videos and website are so informational and have helped me a lot.

[epicfantasy]

Youre welcome! Always open to ideas for vids. Send em along if you have any ideas.

[furybarrage3]

hey thanks for taking the time to show meh, i get it now ; )

[epicfantasy]

You are very welcome. Not a fancy video but i think it will be very useful for all the siege engineers out there!