Trebuchet Assembly Notes



 Image  Apply glue to cross braces
Start by applying glue to the ends of the cross pieces
 Image  Attach cross braces to sides
Align the letter marked on the cross brace with corresponding letter on the trebuchet side. Press the pieces together and wipe off any excess glue with your finger or a damp cloth.
 Image  Repeat with the second cross brace

 Image  Clamp the assembly with a rubber band
When the cross braces are glued in place, stand the assembly on a piece of waxed paper and then hold them together with a rubber band until the glue dries. Gently release the rubber band so the parts don't fold flat.
 Image  Apply glue to the large rectangles

 Image  Position large rectangles inside the base
Insert the large rectangles into the base so that the corresponding letters match up. Press it flat to the table and snugly against the cross braces and side. Repeat this with the second on the opposite side.
 Image  Set the base to one side
and while the glue dries, move on to the next steps.
 Image  Assemble the shims
Select the four smaller rectangles labeled 'shim 1' and 'shim 2'. Apply glue to one side of shim 1 and shim 2
 Image  Glue the shims together
Press the second shim 1 onto the glued side of the first shim 1. Repeat this with shim 2.
 Image  Assemble the spacers
Select one of the spacers (small wooden wheels), and apply glue to one side.
 Image  Glue spacers together
Press a second spacer onto the glued side of the first spacer. Make sure they are aligned so the hole goes straight through both spacers.
 Image  Glue the shims under the bed
Select the long rectangular piece and apply a line of glue to the underside as shown.
 Image  Press one of the shims onto the glue line

 Image  And repeat with the second shim
Turn the bed around and glue the second shim to the end of the bed as you did with the first shim.
 Image  Begin assembling the sling
Cut the monofilament into 12 inch lengths. Select two of the lengths. Tie a loop in one end of each of the pieces. Using a ruler, measure 8 inches from the end of this loop, and fold the monofilament at this point. Tie a second loop. When the monofilament is pulled tight, the length of each piece should be the same from loop tip to loop tip.
 Image  Tie the monofilament onto the cloth
Pass one end of the looped monofilament through the hole in one end of the cloth rectangle. Thread the free end of the monofilament through the loop that was passed through the cloth to make a slip knot, and pull this tight against the cloth. Repeat this with the second length of monofilament through the opposite end of the cloth.
 Image  Attach the sling to the throwing arm
Insert one of the free ends of the sling's monofilament through the hole in the narrow end of the throwing arm.
 Image  Form a slip knot
Pass the opposite length of monofilament through the loop that was just inserted through the throwing arm to form a slip knot.
 Image  Pull the knot tight
Pull the knot tight against the throwing arm. Set this aside for the time being.
 Image  Form the weight hanger
Using a pair of pliers, place a 90 degree bend 1/4 inch from one end of the wire.
 Image  Assemble the weight platform.
Insert the straight end of the wire through the hole in the center of the large circular piece of wood. Slid the wood down to the sharp bend.
 Image  Bend a hook in the wire
Approximately 2 inches from the end of the wire, bend a hook as shown, and then set this part aside.
 Image  Begin assembling the throwing arm
Select one of the small circular spacers and press it onto one end of the 1/8 inch metal rod.
 Image  Insert the rod into the top of the trebuchet

 Image  Assemble the spacers and throwing arm
In this order, place two spacers, the throwing arm, and two more spacers onto the rod as shown. Pass the rod through the other side of the trebuchet and secure it with another spacer. Slide the spacers along the rod to hold the rod in place against the sides of the trebuchet and to hold the throwing arm centered between the sides.
 Image  Glue the bed to the base
Apply glue to the underside of the bed between the notches near the center.
 Image  Assemble the bed on the base
Press the bed into the matching notches in the base so that the end with the holes is on the same side as the long end of the throwing arm.
 Image  Insert the hook of the weight hanger
through one of the holes in the short end of the throwing arm. This can be removed at any time to add or remove additional weights.