Product Description Designed and made in the USA for
better quality, better performance!
The new TK3 model trebuchet can demonstrate all the principles of the trebuchet as either a hanging counterweight machine, or quickly convert it to a wheeled fixed counterweight machine (and back again!) Which is better? Which one is more efficient? More accurate? More fun? Now you can be the judge!
This professionally engineered model requires only two or three hours and a little glue to assemble. The only tools you'll need are a pair of scissors and (optionally) a utility knife. It has a 15 inch throwing arm, is 18 inches from front to back, 9 inches wide and 13 inches tall at the axle. This is a working model capable of tossing the included wooden missiles over 40 feet!
The detailed instructions are complete with diagrams, photos, tuning tips, and even efficiency equations for calculating your maximum theoretical range! All parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled and can be assembled to a finished model in one evening (plus glue drying time).
The trebuchet is a fantastic demonstration in physics and dynamics. One of the big debates in recent years among historians is whether trebuchets in history used wheels to increase their efficiency and make them more portable, or if they were built on-site without wheels and with counterweights hanging from the end of the arm. This debate was even explored in a recent TV documentary (NOVA, Secrets of Lost Empires: Medieval Siege).
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 science and history!
* The counterweight box is supplied, but you'll need to supply the counterweight material to fill the box. For best performance, we recommend using 360 pennies for counterweight and/or two 1-1/4 lb. barbel weights (barbel mounting inserts also included).
Customer Reviews: wooden trebuchet kitJuly 6, 2010 Cumberland Lou(portland, me USA) 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The kit that arrived makes a smaller trebuchet than expected, but the quality looks good and the experience should be fun. I was happy to be able to find such a specific item and have it arrive so quickly... It was purchased as a father's day gift.
Great Model - My 7 & 10 year old sons love itFebruary 1, 2010 Daniel Price(Dallas, Texas) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The assembly was fairly easy, although it took me a little longer than advertised. I had most of it assembled in a couple of hours and then set it a side over night to let the wood glue dry. The instructions were detailed and did not have any difficulty following them. I do recommend a good knife. You have to be really careful on cutting out each piece. If you pry or pop out the pieces, the wood is soft and will crack or chip.
We used soft balls for indoor (and less weight) and the wooden balls provided outside. We did not measure distance, but it launched across the yard.
Overall my kids (7 & 10) really have fun firing this trebuchet. It is a model put together by wood glue, so I do have to remind my kids to handle carefully. It has held up well with numerous firings.
