The Trebuchet:

Do you need to throw 5 to 10 pound objects a hundred yards? If so, then this trebuchet is just what you need.

Trebuchets are similar to catapults, but have a swinging counterweight and a sling that increase their range. They are fairly simple to build, but like everything - the devil is in the details. This trebuchet, named Alpha King after a keg of beer consumed during construction, threw 8 to 10 pound rocks about 75 to 100 yards and 4 to 8 pound rocks over 100 yards. Once we had worked out some technical problems it could be aimed fairly accurately (the first throw went backwards about 40 yards and landed between two parked cars, the last throw landed about a yard off target).

The final machine differed greatly from the original plans and I have divided these pages into two sections to show the original design and the final(?) product. The final trebuchet was larger than the original design, and thanks to an abundant supply of good hardwood I didn't need as much bracing as I thought I would. The design plans are a great starting point, and if you only have access to softer wood they will give you a good trebuchet. I added comments to the designs that help to explain some of the structural concerns.

I haven't too far into detail about the construction of the final trebuchet, since most of the wood was milled on site from large logs and it would be nearly impossible to replicate this specific trebuchet (unless you've got alot of Honey Locust, Oak, and Basswood trunks lying around).

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