My 10 year old sons 1st build..

[jimskio]

My son came to me one day at the beginning of last year and asked if I could help him build a trebuchet for a 4H project. I said sure but I have to know what it is before I can help you build it. Long story short he won $62 for his project and has also used it for his social science project as well. He built the whole thing except for making cuts on the band saw that I thought his fingers would be too close to the blade. Now he is in the process of building an Onager, another medieval siege engine.

jimmy

 

[lorbay]

Good job young man. I have always wanted to build a trebuchet ever since I saw them on TV. It was a farmer who was fasinated by them and built one to throw a car. Wow.

Lin.

 

[holmqer]

Nice project, how far does it throw? When is he going to make a Ballista?

 

[jimskio]

I saw the one the guy built to throw the car, he also threw a piano that was lit on fire.

With the current counter-weight it will throw about 20' and he can ring a trash can with a water-filled ping pong ball every throw. He wanted to build a Ballista this time but I told him it may be a little more involved than the Onager. But it is definitely a project he wants to do.

I will post pics of the Onager as soon as he finishes it.

jimmy

 

[navycop]

Where did you get the plans? Internet?

 

[Steve Busey]

I've seen a neighborhood kid playing with one over the last two days, on a dead end cul-de-sac. Looks like he's got about 20' range too. Must be something in the water!

 

[GColeman]

I've seen a neighborhood kid playing with one over the last two days, on a dead end cul-de-sac. Looks like he's got about 20' range too. Must be something in the water!

You guys in GA ain't planning on placing Tennessee under siege with them machines are y'all?

Great job Jimmy's son!

 

[jimskio]

I did find the plans on the internet, he could have made a bigger one but I told him it was for a school project and he had to carry it to school. All he said to that was "oh yeah".
I guess we could invade Tennessee as long as we do not have to go more than 20'.....
He strung his Onager last night. I believe that this siege engine is going to throw something a lot further than the Trebuchet. He is going to use a wooden ball for the projectile. I had to make up plans myself for the Onager, I couldn't find free ones on the internet.

 

[Drstrangefart]

Too cool. A friend of mine made one for a shcool project out of popsicle sticks. Kinda worked. I claimed it and put it in my room as soon as he got it home. Serious awesomeness!

 

[vallealbert]

Nice project for your son... congrats...

 

[ribanett]

I saw the one the guy built to throw the car, he also threw a piano that was lit on fire.

With the current counter-weight it will throw about 20' and he can ring a trash can with a water-filled ping pong ball every throw. He wanted to build a Ballista this time but I told him it may be a little more involved than the Onager. But it is definitely a project he wants to do.

I will post pics of the Onager as soon as he finishes it.

jimmy

If you add wheels so it can roll, you will increase the distance about 40%. Watch the base as it throws and you will see that the frame tips forward. The wheels allow the energy that would have been trying to tip the machine to be added to the throwing force.

 

[corian king]

Hello! Tell your Son.Great Job!!!
Keep up the good work..
JIM

 

[flyfisher117]

Ive wanted to make one of these for a while now. Never have been able to find plans... where did you get them?

 

[jimskio]

Thanks for all the comments, he is really proud of his work. The Onager is almost ready to fire.
I found the plans for this Trebuchet at this website, http://www.tasigh.org/ingenium/medium.html


jimmy

 

[rkimery]

The future of woodworking is in very good hands! Great job!

 

[BradG]

Ive no idea how i found this thread, though i can see its an old post i am digging out of the archives :biggrin: but how cool is that! never mind being 10 it makes me want to build one for myself!

Would be interesting to see these other machines discussed on page 1

 

[jimskio]

Wow, you really did dig this one up. He built the onager mentioned but also added a ballista to his arsenal. I am in Michigan now but will post pictures of the onager and ballista when we return home.

Jimmy

 

[navycop]

Trebuchet Student Class Project - YouTube
For all you future trebuchet builders.
Good job by the way...

 

[BradG]

Thanks Jimmy they will be interesting to see

 

[wiset1]

Really amazing the things kids can do when we encourage and empower them. Great job Dad!!!

 

[Drb007]

My dad helped me make a catapult for Boy Scouts many years ago. It would launch a rock well over a city block. I did not have it for very long...

 

[jimskio]

Bradg
I asked my daughter to take pics of the ballista.

Jimmy

 

[ohiococonut]

Really amazing the things kids can do when we encourage and empower them. Great job Dad!!!

I second that!

 

[BradG]

Jimmy thanks for sharing that looks like a world of fun. who needs plastic toys hey? There should be more of this in the world.