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Cautionary and Warning Statement
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This kit is designed and intended for educational purposes only.
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Use only under the direct supervision of an adult who has read and understood the instructions pro-
vided in this user guide.
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Read warnings on packaging and this user guide carefully.
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Safety glasses required.
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Do not aim at people.
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Always exercise caution when using sharp tools.
How a Trebuchet Works
If you've ever read about what life was like during medieval times, you'll know there were wars during this
period in which fighting was much more hands on and weapons were far less sophisticated than today.
The invention of the trebuchet put a twist on what people knew as a catapult. Both machines were used
to fling huge rocks that would break down the walls of a castle and let invaders inside. Instead of throwing
weight on one end of the catapult's lever to propel the rocks forward, the trebuchet has a sling that swings
from the bottom to the top of the machine, giving it more momentum and projectile force.
Materials Included
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Basswood sheets with laser-cut pieces
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Design template for bending paper clips
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1" x 12" basswood strip
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1/4" x 4-3/4" basswood strips (4)
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1/8" x 3" brass tube
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5/32" x 1/2" brass tube
Items Required (not included)
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White glue or CA glue
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Hobby knife
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Needle-nose pliers
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Safety glasses
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Felt-tip marker
Building the Base
1. Punch out the trebuchet body pieces from the basswood
template. The two small base pieces fit at the bottom of the
Y-shaped side pieces. Glue them onto the bottom of one side
piece.
2. Glue the other side piece on top and let dry. These will form a flat
square on the bottom that will be the base.
Trebuchet User Guide 58670 V0313
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1/4" x 1" flexible tubing
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Large paper clips (2)
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Strip of ripstop nylon
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36" piece of nylon string
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1/8" brass washers (2)
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2 lever arm end caps (1-1/2" x 2" punch out piece)
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Sandpaper
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Ruler
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Scissors
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Mass plates (required for launch; Pitsco product #58676)
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Modeling clay (to make projectiles)
Steps 1-2
1
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Related Manuals for pitsco Trebuchet
Summary of Contents for pitsco Trebuchet
- Page 1 Instead of throwing weight on one end of the catapult’s lever to propel the rocks forward, the trebuchet has a sling that swings from the bottom to the top of the machine, giving it more momentum and projectile force.
- Page 2 8. Slide the ends of the triangle through the holes at the front of the basswood strip (formed by the notches in the small strips) so the triangle forms a hook. Step 8 Step 7 Trebuchet User Guide 58670 V0313...
- Page 3 Step 7 6. Using scissors, cut the flexible tubing into four 1/4" pieces. 7. Slide a brass washer onto each end of the long brass tube, and push one of the tubing pieces onto either end. Trebuchet User Guide 58670 V0313...
- Page 4 “Weight support, ” and bend the clip into a narrow, upside down U-shape with sharp corners. Be sure the loop of the U is narrow enough to fit through the center holes of the mass plates. 2. Place the mass plates on the weight support. Trebuchet User Guide 58670 V0313...
- Page 5 5. Pull down on the trigger to release the lever and fling the clay across the room. Your trebuchet is ready to attack! The trebuchet can pitch ammunition many feet away, so be sure to only use non- damaging materials.
- Page 6 Testing Different Numbers of Mass Plates Add four mass plates to the trebuchet and set the model at one end of the paper. Place the clay ball into the sling and set the trigger. Launch the ball and record the result in the table below. Repeat this twice more with the same number of mass plates.
- Page 7 Want more activities? You can find more activity ideas at shop.pitsco.com. Search for Trebuchet Kit, click on it, and then click the Activities tab. Trebuchet User Guide 58670 V0313...
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