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Vettezuki
09-17-2010, 04:21 AM
The reason I can't go to the Birdrun this weekend is that my brother and I will be helping my little sister and her friends build a trebuchet for her H.S. AP Physics class (she's way smarter than her dorky older brothers).

It's pretty interesting. I helped them research some designs and their rules don't say nothing about how to build one. :pot_stir: Enter older brother experienced in corporate trench warfare and a decent wood shop in his garage. We will follow that stated rules to the T. We will not build a traditional Trebuchet, but one based on "modern" engineering principles.


Traditional Style
Here's a fun on firing a basketball.
YouTube - basketball trebuchet

Nobody does nutty better than the English. This is my kind of guy. Not exactly traditional, but sorta, and the guy is a hoot.
YouTube - Rich English Guy and his Trebuchet

Floating Arm Trebuchet
This is roughly the size and type we'll be building. It's pretty easy to see this is, relative to size, a more violent experience.

YouTube - Trebuchet launches golfballs


Here's one chucking a flaming piano (common theme).
YouTube - Giant trebuchet hurls a piano


And just for fun, how about this Lego Trebuchet. (Best videography and music.)
YouTube - The LEGO Trebuchet


Fun Fact
We human beings have been f*ing each other up for a long time now. Possibly the earliest example of biological warfare is using trebuchets for chucking plague infected corpses and dead cows over city walls. Keep that in mind the next time you think you're having a bad day at work.

Chuck
09-17-2010, 06:05 AM
I want to launch some shit that looks like fun.

Douglas Mariani
09-17-2010, 07:40 AM
Cool videos Ben:thumbs_up:

jedhead
09-17-2010, 10:25 AM
In Delaware, they have a pumpkin chunkin contest using Trebuchet's and other machines to see who can launch a pumpkin the furthest. I watch every year and many of the machines are impressive to say the least.

http://www.punkinchunkin.com/main.htm

Bob

Vettezuki
09-26-2010, 01:07 AM
Roma Victor! The uncivilized barbarian hordes were crushed by our superior technical know-how.

Translation. We built the FAT type trebuchet. It was the smallest overall with the shortest arm, didn't even use the max allowed weight, but at 99'9" hurled the projectile 10 feet further than the 2nd place team.

Chuck
09-26-2010, 08:30 AM
:need_pics:

Chuck
09-26-2010, 08:31 AM
But that sounds cool is there going to be a video on you tube soon?