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Can Anyone Tell Me How To Build A Quick, Easy Catapult?

I need to build a catapult for one of my science classes that will launch a tennis ball. It doesn’t have to go far. It’s due in two days, and i’m not very good at making things, so it needs to be quick and simple. Someone pleeeeease help me!

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 1:55 pm and is filed under Tennis FAQ. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Can Anyone Tell Me How To Build A Quick, Easy Catapult?”

  1. Quick and simple would be to use a wooden spoon that scoop is large enough to hold the tennis ball. Drill a hole through the handle, midway down to place a rod through the handle. Build a frame, two A frame affairs, attached with a base of plywood with enough height and width to allow the spoon to move back and forth between the A frames. Would need a hole in the tops of the A frames for the rod to pass through and through the hole in the handle of the spoon. Use a large rubber band or bungee cord (small) attach to the end of the handle of the spoon and fasten to the plywood so that you get tension when you pull the top of the spoon back with the tennis ball. Pull back as far as you want and then release.
    That will move the tennis ball.

  2. how about using principles of a mouse/rat trap?
    then modify to your needs?
    just a quick thought

  3. Do a google on “catapult designs” and you’ll get the idea. You can make from common household stuff. Have fun!

  4. Just draw up the 3D model in Autocad and email it to the fabricators who will carve it out of stainless steel with their laser cutter. http://www.laserfab.co.uk

  5. How about a Slinger? It is simply a length of cord with a pouch (in the centre) for holding the object. In use, the ball is placed in the centre and both ends of the cord are held in the other hand. The slinger is then swung over the head bring it forward in a throwing motion. When it is fully forward ONE end of the cord is released. The weight and velocity of the ball then carries it on to it’s target (if you have done everything right).

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