I just couldn't help myself. ;D
This should be able to shoot more than just marshmellows. :D
Still have lots of work to do on it, but it's starting to look like something, so I thought to show you guys...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt2.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt4.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt3.jpg)
My buddy and I are working together on this. He will be making all the metal componenets and I will supply the woodworking stuff.
Those brackets are about 3/16" and we used 5/16 bolts. That is 3" x 6" white oak. The arm is about 12' long and 8" square.
Our hopes are to hang about 1,000lbs from it to launch a 10lb pumpkin. 8) 8)
YES 8)
Just wait till Lil gets home and see's this ;)
Ian
We're goin there, just not this year. We'll likely tie it to the local BSA as a funraiser.
Ironwood
Ironwood,
We are building this for a scouting event this year. Each year we have a "Pumpkin Pallooza" which includes a chunkin' contest. ;D
Now you have me wondering how to turn this thing into a fund raiser. smiley_headscratch
Here was last years effort...
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,33708.0.html
Have a stack of pumpkins for sale and, for and extra dollar, chunk it for them. You could have a bunch of certificates there and write the distance on it for them. That way, they could try to beat their distance next year. (or the next punkin' they chunk)
That is pretty cool!
I went to the local Punkin Chunkin contest last Saturday. Furtherst throw was 970 feet.
There were a lot of scouts involved also.
Quote from: metalspinner on October 10, 2009, 05:36:39 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt3.jpg)
My buddy and I are working together on this. He will be making all the metal componenets and I will supply the woodworking stuff.
You're a lucky man,metalspinner.My dog can't weld but he can promote rust on metal if you leave it up against a tree.
Harrison House (UNB Residence) "Great Pumpkin Sacrifice" ;D
The Great Pumpkin Sacrifice is a unique tradition that has been in existence since 1973 at Harrison House, a now co-ed dormitory located at the centre of the campus. As part of the ceremony, a large pumpkin is carried around campus, lit and then thrown off the residence roof in a fiery explosion. The pumpkin itself is carved with a unique three-eyed face that is simultaneously frowning and smiling on the onlooker. The sacrifice is made in the hopes for a good academic harvest.
The tradition began on Halloween 1973, when a small group of students threw pumpkins off the roof of the residence.
"Pumpkin Chucking"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTgUUsvrU_o
Hey that looks really good. When you get it mastered then next year you can build the canons using compressed air. I saw one on TV the other day that shoots pumpkins at around 600 MPH! :D
Punkin chunkin is a big thing here in Delaware. The champion for a number of years was from Ohio if I remember right. He used compressed air and shot a punkin about 1 mile. That is a nice looking rig that you are building there. I think a catapult type would be more fun to watch. They say that the compress air cannons are like watching a gun go off, all you hear is the noise, but you don't get to see much of the punkin, it goes to fast.
We have rules that do not allow compressed air, electricity, internal cumbustion engines, hydraulics, or pneumatics.
But, since I am the one that wrote the rules, I can change them as I see fit. ::) :D
We worked for hours today, yet the machine basically looks the same. A design change was needed in the height of the uprights. We were able to machine the main axel, drill the beam for bushings, and have a fit-up of the beam. It was then we figured the uprights were too short. :-[ All of our research taught us the beam needed to be "cocked" at about 45 degrees. So I came home and scrounged some more 12/4 stock to remedy that problem.
But, the fit-up allowed us to better visualize the counterweight. It also looked really cool. ;D
The next big step is making the counterweight. No small feat considering it needs to be about 1,000 pounds.
fstedy,
970 feet might be a bit ambitous for this machine. :o If we can pull off 500', we'll be very happy. I'm sure a 50 footer will still bring a smile to our face. ;)
Tom,
I like the way you think.
:D Reminds me of a road runner scene when Wile E Coyote placed a stone on his acme catapult and fired. The whole rig flipped upside down and on top of'm. Stand way back. ;D
Why are you going 100-1 on your counter weight? I had a class of mine one year build about 30 mini trebuchets and we found 60-80 - 1 was the sweet spot. If we went more than that, things started to break and they didn't throw any further.
Also are you putting yours on wheels or are you building a swinging counter weight? Have you made your swing arm arm yet. We found a 5-1 ratio on pivot placement worked well. Sling designs and trigger configurations were obstacles too...
Good luck, I keep thinking I will build a big one myself some day....
Shinnlinger,
We have no experience to fall back on for this thing, just internet research. We found a sight that recommended 80-100 to 1 counterweight ratio. I went to Wally World and weighed various pumpkin sizes. They range from 3 and 4 lbs to 11 and 12 lbs. The CW will have a base weight of about 400 lbs and we will be able to add steel plate to it up to whatever we need. Hopefully we will find that sweet spot you speak of. ;)
Oh, and it will be a swinging CW.
SD,
:D We will have a loooooong string to release the trigger - which has yet to be designed. :-\
Just think, in Medievel times, you could have thrown a whack of boiling pots of oil with that thing.
Quote from: WDH on October 12, 2009, 09:28:02 AM
Just think, in Medievel times, you could have thrown a whack of boiling pots of oil with that thing.
In some cases, throw a dead horse over the castle wall. PHeeewww smiley_airfreshener
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/Trebhorseopt.jpg)
::)
that puppy's name better not be Pumpkin...
you got my attention...
Sling On dude....
I think you want a hinged trigger where the actual loop coming off your arm nests at the base of the "hinge". the hinge itself would be at least a foot long and you lock it down with a pin on the opposite end of the hinge. That pin could be pulled by your long string.
I like you ability to adjust the weight. I was thinking I would build mine with a 55 gallon drum as a counter weight that I could add/drain water as needed. I think it would be good fo up to 8 pounds of projectile.
Now you guys got me thinking about Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail. :D
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zbWNznbs
The page says "The URL contained a malformed video ID. "
Probably a Monty Python joke. :D
try this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMkth8FWno
"Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?"
"A swallow could carry it."
"None shall pass!"
"Bring me a shrubbery!!"
"We are the knights that go Ni"
"Ni, Ni, Ni, Ni..........Ni"
Just so ya'll don't think I'm not workin'...
Drilling the hole through...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt5.jpg)
Setting in the bushing...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt6.jpg)
Using the lift to position the arm...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt7.jpg)
Realizing the uprights are too short... :-\
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt8.jpg)
Longer uprights with outriggers installed...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt9.jpg)
Trigger is made, but need to take pic. Sling and counterweight are underway.
My top secret informant tells me that a couple of Tiger dads have something cooking up, too. It's starting to get exciting! 8) 8)
Chris, thats awesome looking. The kids will love it almost as much as you ;D
be careful
http://www.katu.com/news/4511481.html
Thanks, fish.
I saw that incident on Youtube. I learned alot about audience participation watching that video. The scene seemed very chaotic.
We will have a couple of "safeties" on the treb when it is cocked, too. Lots of videos on Youtube with guys hanging from the top of the arm to cock it. :o Not very smart IMHO.
A co-worker's son and a friend of his son built a trebuchet on my co-workers property.
The son's friend somehow got hurt from the trebuchet. Unknown to my co-worker the son's friend's Mom and Dad filed a claim against his homeowners insurance. The insurance company dropped the policy and they were uninsured for awhile. I can't recall how they sorted the uninsured problem out.
I know, you are thinking this happened in Big City America,,,nope, happened in small town Missouri.
Counterweight is done. It came in a little heavier than we thought at 487lbs. This was the first time I got to cut steel out with a torch. 8) The side walls of the CW are 1" thick.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt10.jpg)
With the aide of the fork lift we hung the CW. No funny noises from the Treb so far. ;D
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt12.jpg)
The first lift of the CW. Still no funny noises. Though we were looking at the cheap little pulley we had on hand for the winch with great suspicion.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt13.jpg)
We didn't have a pumpkin at the shop, but a close relative stepped up...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt14.jpg)
Here is the release pin on the end of the beam. This is an important device as it determines the trajectory of the projectile. We will tweak the angle to get the launch just right.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/trebopt15.jpg)
I'm trying to get setup on Youtube to show you guys the maiden launch.
really neat, your kids must be so excited. They have a cool dad.I live about 2 miles from pumkin chunkin location in Delaware, still have never been, the blacksmith from Lewes De started the one hear with friends and was on David Letterman . He did a demo with the sling type. Did see that just by chance. good luck hope the tigers don't mind second place
When something breaks while cranking it up and setting the trigger, where will you be standing? ::)
And where will the pieces go?
Beenthere,
First thing tomorrow morning is a trip to the hardware store for a couple of heavy pulleys to redirect the direction of pull. To answer your question, though, "Right in the line of fire!" :( But that will change before the next launch. ;)
Before the trigger is set, we throw a safty line across the arm. We also leave the winch attached while we load and set the sling. Then we set the trigger and remove both safty's. The trigger is attached to a 30'+ rope.
We will come up with a formal procedure for cocking and loading this thing in which we accomplish one step at a time. So one of us does not get ahead of the other.
James,
I'm not ruling anything out - including finishing second, third, or last place. This was one of those projects I've always wanted to build.
Oh, I picked up an old beatup bowling ball a the alley for practice shooting. Pumpkins can get expensive. ::)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Y22qsC978
This was the first and last launch. Our wives were busting our... well, you know, to get home. But we just had to try it out. :D
The orange jug landed near that white storage trailer in the distance. We should get better distance once we tweek the sling, release pin, and CW.
Cool ... 8) 8) Way da go !!!!!!
That is just so neat!!
It sounds like it could use a little more pork fat. :D
Excellent. 8)
First time we fired out little 'desktop' unit it threw a golfball about 9ft the wrong way, over the hedge and on to the neighbours roof. A bit of tuning on the release hook and we had it firing the right direction. :D
Ian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCCXTVmSbgw
:D :D
Metalspinner, wow, I may be way off but I think you beat your old record. Nice shot! We are going for first place ;)
Swamp Donkey I have a feeling you sometimes talk with a Monte Python movie dialect
:D :D
I have never seen that movie, SD. But it looks like a trip to the video store is in order. :D
QuoteThis was the first and last launch.
Ianab,
I should fess up and and come clean. That was our first successful launch.
This was our first attempt...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WGA3tJqtA4
:o :o :D
Tom,
I'll save the drippings from my bacon this morning to drizzle on the CW later. :D :D
James, I'm feeling more confident after having seen and anylized our first attempt. ;)
Metalspinner,
Sometimes you have to go backward before you go forward. :D
However I think it looks good and with a little tweeking you will be launching pumpkins in no time.
This week is the 40th Anniversary of the Monty Python's Flying Circus. 8)
Quote from: Tom on October 16, 2009, 11:54:50 PM
That is just so neat!!
It sounds like it could use a little more pork fat. :D
please... yes...
at 1st when I heard that I thought the dog was in distress...
QuoteI should fess up and and come clean. That was our first successful launch. This was our first attempt...
Could have been worse... Somtimes that first attempt goes straight up. Talk about 'friendly fire' :D
Ian
Quote from: Ianab on October 17, 2009, 04:26:30 PM
QuoteI should fess up and and come clean. That was our first successful launch. This was our first attempt...
Could have been worse... Somtimes that first attempt goes straight up. Talk about 'friendly fire' :D
Ian
could have hit the pickup....
Quote from: Ianab on October 17, 2009, 04:26:30 PM
Could have been worse... Somtimes that first attempt goes straight up. Talk about 'friendly fire' :D
Ian
Run Away!! Run Away!! :D :D
MS,
That is awesome!
QuoteCould have been worse... Somtimes that first attempt goes straight up.
We came up with a good sling design that should eliminate that possibility. We launch the sling with the pumpkin. Too much can go wrong if the treb misfires.
IMERC,
My buddy didn't seem too concerned about that truck as it was a company vehicle. :D
Here is some better footage of this thing in action. Watching it gave me some ideas on better procedures...
We are walking around the wrong end of this thing.
I need to make a long push stickfor adjusting the sling.
Bring the trigger string back to the Treb after firing to keep itchy trigger fingers idle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3-iF_WRYLw
Even without the music, the cool sound the sling makes isn't on the video. It's a neat "Whoosh!" 8)
you guys did an amazing job...
KUDOS....
so as long as nobody had to explain a dent in the company truck...
but now why would you guys be threatening that poor house???
Quote from: metalspinner on October 18, 2009, 10:30:45 PM
We are walking around the wrong end of this thing.
Is there a safe side to walk around?
That's really cool!
Did you use a plan or did you design it yourself?
Looks like a cool project for my boys science fair 8)
Nick
The house is just fine and out of firing range. But my MIL's car is usually parked on the other side of those hedges. smiley_devilish
nas,
We just layed this out with the wood I had on hand then engineered it as we went. There is lots ofvague info on the internet, though. ::)
Watching the video, the CW side has lots less potential "action" at human hieght than the trigger side does.
This is really cool , but I noticed that you should trade the hat for a cup if you are to be using that side to go around it ::) ;D
Cool, but still looks like an accident waiting to happen. :)
I think felling trees in the woods to be a lot safer than waking around this loaded gun. I hope all remain safe and with all body parts intact while having fun. :)
Don't mean to sound preachy, but from the video there are too many times when the cold shivery feeling of "looking down a gun barrel" come across my mind. The cup was one, and the head under the counter weight was but another. Adjusting the safety tether was one more. Prolly never happen, but could.
Then on to hoping that the projectile will land somewhere near where it is supposed to, and not on someone/something it isn't. :) ;D
beenthere,
I hear ya. Even if I can make every possible effort - and I will - to make this thing safe, the fact is it's dangerous.
Watching the video has made all the points you made glaringly obvious and we will procede to correct the dangers as best as possible.
QuoteI noticed that you should trade the hat for a cup if you are to be using that side to go around it
Yeah, I thought that, too. I believe some of that we are seeing is from the angle perspective of the camera. But after seeing it, better care will be taken. That is what made me think to walk around the other end of the machine. That and throwing the safety tether over the arm and using the "shortcut."
I certainly don't mind you guys speaking up on anything you might see that can be changed or added to our procedures. :)
Its obvious that this thing is dangerous , so are chainsaws and cars , I would be more at ease playing with this , wich I find totally cool , then being left alone in some major cities .
I just might try and put one together next summer . I have two fields that are about a half mile between the two , think a pumkin could make it from one to the other smiley_headscratch
Quote from: isawlogs on October 19, 2009, 12:14:04 PM
Its obvious that this thing is dangerous , so are chainsaws and cars , I would be more at ease playing with this , wich I find totally cool , then being left alone in some major cities .
I just might try and put one together next summer . I have two fields that are about a half mile between the two , think a pumkin could make it from one to the other smiley_headscratch
Sure, just build it big enough. 8) 8)
hey hurry up lets go see where it landed ! hate dialup but worth seeing when I :D at the end. yes be careful, no sense in learning the hard way. I could see myself pulling the pin while I am leaning on it. keep us posted
5lb pumpkin shot to 320' this evening! The exploded parts and entrails went another 75' beyond that. That's with close to 700lbs in the CW bucket. That went alot farther than I thought it would. :o In fact, it landed in my neighbor's feild. I just went in the dark of the night and repaired the divot it made. ::) :D
The same weight sent a 13 pounder 200' this afternoon.
I'm going to wait till we get to the farm before we really beef it up with some weight. The sling is releasing beautifully - a nice high arc with tremendous speed.
A local produce stand gave me 20 pumpkins that all had soft spots, cracks, or rot in them. A few of them are about 20 pounds. I don't think those will launch too far. :D I offered to pay him a bit for them, but all he wanted was to see a video of the launcher in action. :)
320', Wow!
Bring it to the Pig Roast and we can have some fun with it :D.
Quote from: WDH on October 22, 2009, 08:50:29 PM
320', Wow!
Bring it to the Pig Roast and we can have some fun with it :D.
We could launch the pig carcass into one of Jeff's least favorite neighbor's yard ;D.
Jeff could use it on people that turn vehicles around in his wet yard.
Now, that's the video I want to see. ;D
Super job Chris, remember to let the kids play with it too ;)
Make sure one doesn't send the other into orbit. :D :D
:D
We brought it out to the farm yesteday. It travels well on the trailer. And pulling it up with the winch was a piece of cake.
It's supposed to rain all day today with the sun coming out by tomorrow morning. Hopefully, we'll get just a glancing blow of the bad weather. Otherwise, we'll have very happy, very muddy cub scouts and very unhappy, very muddy moms. :D
came across this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9mtvRryams
and this...
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/10/case_students_alumni_use_giant.html
I know what I want for Christmas now .... :D
A pumpkin? :D :D
Quote from: isawlogs on October 25, 2009, 09:58:03 PM
I know what I want for Christmas now .... :D
just one???
remember those pesky squirrels in the attic....
we have the problem solver....
Too much fun :D :D
Where's the update from the head Punkin chunker ??? ??? ???
I was just too exausted after a day of cranking on that winch to update you guys. Sorry. :D
We had several machines show up Saturday morning. Three trebuchets, one catapult, and last years champion slingshot (;D). It was a great surprise to have so much effort put into our event by our families...over 120 people showed up for the afternoon and evenings activities. This was the largest turnout for any of our scouting events. 8)
I have lots of pics...just need a cup of coffee or two to get the uploading done.
We have a new hand chunking champion. A Bear cub tossed his 3lb pumpkin 108 feet! :o
In the machine division, last years champ has successfully defended his title! 8) 8) Tossing a 12 pounder 275 feet! 8) 5 pounders were clearing 320' :)
The other machines could only launch the smaller pumpkins. To drive home our point of superiority, we launched a 20 pounder about 150 feet. :D :D :D
The treb was launching beautifully. Smooth and consistant without one missfire. We got the weight up to about 900 lbs. That was a bit much for the small pumpkins. But just about right for the 10-12 pounders.
It was a great day of fun culminating in a chili dinner cooked by 6 different moms, pumpkin carving, and campfire fun. 40 of us stuck it out and camped for the night. Last Tuesday we made the call to campout because the weatherman said it would be 45 degrees. It turned out to be 37. :-\ Thank goodness we went to Sam's and bought a ton of Swiss Miss. Those Igloo coolers do a great job of keeping hot water hot!
After a breakfast of egg and sausage burritos with cinnamon rolls, we spent the next few hours breaking down camp and discussing next years Pumpkin Palooza. smiley_dizzy
Imerc,
Those cannon guys are crazy! Did they ever answer where those pumkins are landing? :o :D
That treb built by the students sure looks familier. But theirs was a fixed weight, I believe. It's interesting they were able to sell $5 tickets... Hmmmm...
Chris,
Where did this take place?
Quote from: metalspinner on October 26, 2009, 08:54:43 AM
Imerc,
Those cannon guys are crazy! Did they ever answer where those pumkins are landing? :o :D
aren't we all...
didn't recall them saying where the landing zone was... but everything looked to be habitated...
their main concern was aircraft...
BTW.. time to ditch that hand crank and go electric winch isn't it???
Raider,
One of our leaders has a family farm in Blount County. It was a beautiful setting. We were set up in a hay feild along a ridge.. On Thursday when we brough the treb out, the mountain sides were still all green. But by Saturday morning, the trees were changing and the veiw was a beatiful yellow and orange.
Imerc,
We thought of that, but we had soooo much coin invested in this thing that we didn't want to "splurge" on an electric winch. Besides, the "click, click , click" of the hand winch served to intimidate our opponents. ;D
Quote from: metalspinner on October 26, 2009, 09:14:16 AM
Imerc,
We thought of that, but we had soooo much coin invested in this thing that we didn't want to "splurge" on an electric winch. Besides, the "click, click , click" of the hand winch served to intimidate our opponents. ;D
new gear ratios or shive/pulley/block arangements???
I wounder if the guys with the cannon could get more distance if they used a packing wad like the muzzle loaders do.
Thanks Alot Mr Mom
Quote from: Mr Mom on October 26, 2009, 11:51:29 AM
I wounder if the guys with the cannon could get more distance if they used a packing wad like the muzzle loaders do.
Thanks Alot Mr Mom
I was thinking more like a sabot....
Finally got the camera back from my wife. Here are a few pics from the days events...
The Champion Pumpkin Chunkers...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/PPopt1.jpg)
The setting. All that color on the ridge popped up in just two days.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/ppopt2.jpg)
The artillery lineup. We had three trebuchets, one catapult and one slingshot.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/ppopt3.jpg)
A closer look at a Kid-A-Pult...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/ppopt4.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/ppopt5.jpg)
After dark, we got the stumpkin lit. He looked cooler and cooler as the evening wore on...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/ppopt6.jpg)
And of course, we had many cobblers... musteat_1
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/ppopt7.jpg)
:) :) :)
Nice photos. Looks like the kids had nearly as much fun as the adults ::) ;D ;D :D :D
Looks like a great day: weather, fun and good eats. :)
A couple of videos...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6dfqvVjNI0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhIbyALnP8Q
The Kid-A-Pult looks fun!
All good things must come to an end.
The treb has been sitting in the corner of the yard for years decaying away.
I busted it about 5 or 6 years ago at a competition in North Carolina.
The arm and bucket looked so cool, I thought of a way to get a few more years of life out of it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/5F917D05-7E32-4489-AE49-4CD9B4A5FC0F.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1623006185)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/104AC758-8D0A-46F5-A7B2-7FECBDB44801.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1623006250)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/B4402F31-59B8-470B-8242-6CC20AD174E9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1623006278)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12750/B4402F31-59B8-470B-8242-6CC20AD174E9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1623006278)
I planted a wisteria vine in the bucket in hopes it will use the arm as a trellis.