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After the trebuchet is built there are two variables that
can and must be changed to vary the distance of the thrown
object. One is the length of the sling and the other is the
angle of the release hook. In the days of yore the release
hook was a piece of metal that had to be heated and bent to
the correct angle to change the release point of the sling.
I went another route using some angle brackets, and a turnbuckle. |
By cranking the turnbuckle you can shorten
it which will pull the L-bracket back and thereby change
the angle. A change in angle of a little as half a degree
can increase the distance of the thrown object greatly. |
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The trebuchet is fired using a steel ring attached to a
rope that went over the lever arm and was held in place with
a large eyebolt (I cut the threads off and rounded the end)
that went through two smaller eyebolts. Because the rope goes
over the arm the force of the lever pressing up is divided
between the two anchor points, this one and the one on the
other side. This makes it easier to pull the pin and fire
the trebuchet. Just don't be on the other side because the
steel ring gets whipped over the arm pretty violently as the
trebuchet fires. |
Well, I have done everything that I can to build a solid trebuchet.
There is no way to really find out if it will work without firing
it with some real projectiles. Let's move on to launch day!
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