Trebuchet Woodworking Plan

Trebuchet Trivia. A trebuchet was a medieval device used to hurl large stones and other heavy projectiles at enemy fortifications. Using the mechanical advantage of a counterweight to rotate an arm, the device could heave objects up to 350 pounds at high speed and hundreds of feet. The projectile was placed into a sling that was pulled along the platform. When released, the sling and arm rapidly rotated to the vertical position, where one end of the sling came free, releasing the projectile. This trebuchet measures approximately 5 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 17.5 inches high with the arm at the top position.

Plan Author: Jeff Mertz

Plan Contributors: Owen Duvall, Kevin Boyle, Roxanne LeMoine, Lorna Johnson

Published Date: 2011

Plan Language: English, all measurements are inches/feet unless stated otherwise.

Wood and/or Supplies needed: We used maple, but you can use wood of your choice.

Tools needed: Tablesaw, router, bandsaw or scrollsaw, drill press, and other common workshop tools