DIY Catapult

In this instructable I will explain how to make a catapult out of simple materials such as PVC pipes and a small bucket. This catapult can launch a golf ball around 20+ feet.

- around 14 feet of PVC pipe

- five 1 inch T's to connect the pipes

- seven 1 inch 90 degrees elbows to attach pipes

- 4 zip ties

- a small butter tub / bucket

- stretchy thick string / bungee cord

- saw

- 1 screw

With your saw, you will need to cut the following length in your 3/4" PVC pipe

You need

- one 27 inch piece (this is your throwing arm)

- two 31 inch pieces (these will be your sides on the base of catapult)

- four 15 inch pieces (front and back parts)

- two 12 inch pieces (uprights that hold catapult together)

THEN put the pieces together to see if they all fit / are the right size. DO NOT GLUE YET!

Put the T joint on one end of the long 27 inch pipe part. Next put the 90 degree joint on the other end. Attach the small bucket on the end of the 90 degree joint. You can do this a screw. I drilled 4 holes in the bucket and put 2 zip ties to attach it and a screw through the middle. Finally, slide the T joint onto a 15 inch pipe and center the T joint.

Place a 90 degree elbow on one end of a 31 inch pipe. Next, place 2 T joints on the pipe and center them. This is for the middle (sturdy piece) to keep the catapult up right and the upright piece keeps the catapult aligned. Finish this off by placing a 90 degree elbow on the other end. Repeat this same step on the other 31 inch pipe.

Finish off the frame by attaching the two 15 inch pipe pieces at the ends of the 31 in pipes and attach the throwing arm in the middle to the T joints.

Place the two 12 inch pipe pieces on the last two T joints in the middle so they stand upright. Connect the top with the last 15 inch pipe to the T joints on the 12 inch upright pieces.

Cut the hooks off the ends if you are using a bungee cord. Tie the cord to the horizontal upright and around the throwing arm. I used zip ties to secure the bungee cord.

Now it is time to test your finished catapult!