Floating Arm Trebuchet™ model 3000
The new F.A.T. Guillotine-Style Catapult
Designed and made in the USA for
better quality, better performance!
This new and improved 21st century version of the trebuchet uses a modern understanding of physics and engineering principles for incredible power and range!
This version of our most popular kit incorporates several improvements over the old model, including our new "gap-hop" architecture - now the wheels gently hop over the gap in the tracks instead of pounding over them, eliminating the destructive "thump-bump" of the old model. This enables us to use positive tracking wheels - no more frame-strikes! The wheels are locked-in to a track system that prevents them from drifting off-course during firing. We've also added a turnbuckle based pin angle tuning mechanism, for non-slip ultra-fine tuning of the pin angle. The virtually indestructible steel counterweight boxes are included too! All major improvements for accuracy and repeatability in this one-of-a-kind machine!
Engineered using modern mechanical principles and computer aided design, this mini-powerhouse can hurl a golf ball over 200 feet. It uses guillotine action and a plunging beam to maximize potential energy and a floating arm to convert that energy into projectile motion. Precision crafted of high quality hardwood, the kit contains everything you need to build a working model.*
The trebuchet is essentially a gravity powered energy conversion machine, turning potential energy into kinetic energy and using it to throw a ball. It's a great way to see classical mechanics in action!
Similar to the forty-foot tall, 25 ton behemoth "T-Wrecks" we built on the TV show "In The Name Of Science" (2004, The Discovery Channel), except this model is only 34 inches tall, 18 inches long and 7 inches wide (12 inches wide including the steel boxes) but it hurls more than five times as far as T-Wrecks in scaled distance.
A common complaint from engineering professors is that "Students today have a great understanding of computers, but fewer and fewer of them have any real hands-on, real-world understanding of physics and mechanics." Our kits are designed and intended to spark an interest in real-world science and engineering, and maybe even a bit of history too!
The detailed instructions (14 pages!) are complete with diagrams, photos, tuning tips, equations for calculating the machine's efficiency and more! All parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled and can be assembled to a finished model in one evening (plus glue drying time).
We've put a lot of time and effort into making this kit as easy and complete as possible. It's a fun way to learn about physics and engineering!
Tools required:
Scissors, Glue, Ruler, a utility knife, small wrenches (for one 1/4" bolt and one 3/8" bolt). Sandpaper is optional.
Assembly time:
For a Master carpenter doing a sloppy job: about 2 hours.
A person with no kit building experience being extremely meticulous: two or three days.
The model in these photos was built by Ron Toms in about four hours.
Assembled Size:
- Height: 34"
- Length: 18"
- Width: 7" (frame) 12" (with counterweights attached)
Additional Counterweight Required: 10 to 15 lbs.
(Loose nuts and bolts, coins, rocks, anything that
can fit into the 4" x 2" x 6" counterweight boxes.)
Range:
- Golf balls, up to 200 feet
- Tennis balls, about 100 feet.
(Optimal range assumes a well tuned machine)
Shipping weight: 14 lbs.
Box dimensions: 36" x 12" x 4"
Quantity pricing info:
0 to 4 kits, standard price.
5 to 9 kits, 10% off
10 or more kits, 15% off
Bulk priced kits are not individually packaged. All parts, components, instructions and hardware for each kit are combined into one box.
Orders of $200 or more get FREE ground shipping!
For more discount pricing info, please visit www.RLT.com/wholesale
WARNING! This is a functional model intended for educational demonstrations of physics. It contains a fast moving arm and projectile that can cause injury if you make contact when firing. Use only under strict, competent adult supervision.
* You'll need to supply the counterweight material. Anything from nuts and bolts, BBs, coins, sand or a good fist full of pebbles will do!
* Can throw 200 feet when properly constructed and tuned with sufficient counterweights. Your performance may vary.
* FAT, F.A.T. and Floating Arm Trebuchet are trademarks of RLT Industries.
