I saw a picture of a catapult target launcher for aerial target shooting online, and told myself I could build one of those.
So I stayed a little late after work last night, got into my wood pile and made maple legs, an oak throwing arm, steel spreader arms, and stainless steel springs, then I moulded a piece of Lexan plexiglass over a 1 3/4" thick piece of oak to accept my 2"aerial targets. After getting everything cut, I went home and started drilling and fastening the launcher together. I never got a chance to use it last night, but when I get home from work today, I'm going outside with my 2 sons and we are going to have a great time with this thing.
Best part is the whole catapult was put together in my head. I never used a drawing, just knowledge and experience and a ounce or two of luck as my guides.
I Just added the pics. I set it up in the front yard, and let the boys throw footballs at the targets. This is going to be a ton of fun for all of us. I have about 2 dozen flu flu's that, I believe, are going to get worn out.
The only problem is that the wind plays a major role in how the foam flies.
The whole thing took me about 3 hrs from start to finish, and after digging thru all my extra stuff I have saved from job to job, it cost me $8.77, and that included $5 for the dog chain corkscrew to hold it down to the ground and keep from bouncing all over the place.
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That's awesome Mike! Looking forward to the pic's
Can't wait to see what it looks like.
Now you're gonna have some fun! Anxiously awaiting pics.
Gerald
Pics added
Now thats a winner. :thumbsup:
Good job man! looks like it works great!
I had no idea if it would work or not. It looked like it would, but I had no clue, so I did what any "Redneck" in the middle of suburbia would do...I waited for a few of the neighbors to come out and see what we were up to, and I let the boys pull the ripcord. I was full of butterflies with the audience out there, and I did not fail. That target flew up about 30 feet. Kinda made me feel like I was 23 again, and just had a couple shots of whatever was on the table. In other words, I felt invinceable at that moment.
That's cool Mike. What are you using for a trigger? I can't make it out in the pics.
Now that's cool. Way to go. :clapper:
That looks great and like lots of fun in the future!!
How cool is this?..... Way!!!....I'm saying....
This is really beyond cool!
Thank you for sharing.
God bless,Mudd
Now that's using the 'ole noodle! I like it. :thumbsup: :clapper:
Great idea! Especially the dogchain corkscrew! :clapper:
Nice job Mike!! Would like to see a video clip of you shooting at some of your flying disks.
QuoteOriginally posted by Pete McMiller:
That's cool Mike. What are you using for a trigger? I can't make it out in the pics.
That is a proprietary trip wire secret taught to me by good 'ole Uncle Sam while I was in the ARMY. There is a 25 yard long pull cord, and can be set off by 2 pounds of pull force. Wind cannot cause a false trigger.
You can see the whole thing and come up with plans for your own if you come to the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational this year in August. I will have either this one, or a newer model there for us to fling all kinds of flu flu's at.
Come on now Mike we need a build along! Lol.
Sine you asked nice Matt, I will do a complete build along with the next one I build. I honestly just saw the picture of Roger Henrie's wing shooter, and made my own from guess work. Google that, and you will get the same pictures I did to come up with mine. I never once pulled out a tape measure. Just went with what I had. Like the old saying K.I.S.S.
That is very cool.
Nice job Mike!
Thats cool as heck. I've been saying for twenty years now I was gona build one, now you got me thinking again! I always tried to think of a way of "spinning" the target rather than just pushing it up. My thoughts were something along the line of letting the target hang off the side on a pin fitting in a J slot cut in the target but have no clue if that would work. Good job on your thrower though! Of course now you know your gona wanta build one with two or three throwing arms! lol
Thanks Mike! I'll check that out.
Now that is sweet! Great idea and great build! Shawn
What are you using for a trigger? can't figure it out also!
Very cool
Great innovation. You could sell the plans.
I'm going to have to make one.
Thanks for sharing!
fantastic job Myke !! thanks to share with us
MP sent !
All PM's are returned.
I probably could sell the plans, but why? I have no problem having guys measure mine and make their own. I don't have a need to make any money off of this. It is so much more satisfying making something from scratch. Just ask yourself if your Grandma's cooking is better than something out of a box or can.
Like I said earlier, simply Google-Roger Henrie wingshooter-and you will get the same pictures I did, and you will even see his trigger system which is similar to mine, although I do believe Uncle Sam's is much better in design.
Nice job Mike You did a real nice job !
Quote
So I stayed a little late after work last night, got into my wood pile and made maple legs, an oak throwing arm, steel spreader arms, and stainless steel springsQuote
Mike, did you actually make the spring? Nice job, looks great!
QuoteOriginally posted by Hooper:
Nice job Mike!! Would like to see a video clip of you shooting at some of your flying disks.
Excatly what I was thinking!! Sling some arrows at that disc!!!! :archer2:
QuoteOriginally posted by kibok&ko:
fantastic job Myke !! thanks to share with us
MP sent !
hello Myke did you get my PM ?
I like the "before" pictures of your house windows and roof. :)
Very nice job Mike, I have wanted to build one where did you find the plans or did you wing it?
Great job!I love anything home made and the things I learn from this site.glen
now that's gettin it done. very cool
QuoteOriginally posted by VTer:
Quote
So I stayed a little late after work last night, got into my wood pile and made maple legs, an oak throwing arm, steel spreader arms, and stainless steel springsQuote
Mike, did you actually make the spring? Nice job, looks great! [/b]
No, I did not make the springs. I hadthem left over from one of the buildings I had to work on at work
QuoteOriginally posted by doug g:
Very nice job Mike, I have wanted to build one where did you find the plans or did you wing it?
It's in the first post of this thread. I saw a picture and went with it.
QuoteOriginally posted by boznarras:
I like the "before" pictures of your house windows and roof. :)
HA. Get out some tar and Duck Tape.
Have you seen the northern exposure episode when a piano gets tossed with a trebuchet?
that is greatness
Mike,
I really would appreciate knowing how to make the trigger. I can estimate how to build everything else but can't figure the trigger out. How about some help for a fellow aerial shooter?
That would be so much fun to have! Might have to throw some ideas around myself and see what happens.
Thanks for sharing and keep it up!
I will be at the shoot and I can not wait to see if first hand and see it in action. I generally go and demonstrate flint knapping in the tent in front. Stop by or I will try to find you.
QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
Mike,
I really would appreciate knowing how to make the trigger. I can estimate how to build everything else but can't figure the trigger out. How about some help for a fellow aerial shooter?
Google---Roger Henrie wingshooter---there is a picture of his trigger system on there. Like I said before, mine was taught to me by Uncle Sam. Try Roger's way, and then tweek it if that dosen't work.
very cool....
bozanarras,
Before pictures of windows and roof.....hilarious!
That's awesome. Nice work.
That looks great and the boys look like they have plans for it as well.
Made a new plexiglass target holder this morning, so the fun is only begun. I need to make a few adjustments to the next one, but I believe I have a winner in this design.
Very cool.
Great job.
I want one!
I feel pretty honored. I was asked by one of Tradgangs own members from France if he could translate this thread into French, and post it on their Tradioinal Archery website. http://www.arctradionly.com/t618-catapulte-arc-trap-de-mike-vines
Thank you Kibok&ko. I just wish I was able to read it. I could make out a couple of the words, and they sounded favorable.
Mike
What size is that spring?
QuoteOriginally posted by AKtraildog:
What size is that spring?
In it's relaxed state, it is 8"
Mike that's neat, something I've always wanted to try, aerial disk. Thanks!!! God bless
I was looking at a recent thread about making throwable targets, and thought about this one I made. Has anyone made one of their own since I posted this one?
If so, I'd be very interested in seeing your design and hearing how you like using it.
I know that this thrower has provided plenty of fun for us.
Back in the mid 90's I made a 8' tall sling shot for throwing stuffed animals for flu-flu shooting. It wasn't long 'til we found out it would launch a full pop can around 45' feet up. :)
Getting the thing cocked and locked was a fairly dangerous operation. Kinda like a rednecks last words, "hey, watch this!".
Your disc thrower looks great and a far cry safer than human throwers or my contraption. Nice job.
That's nice. I need to build one. My Son and I shot at my aerial target last weekend and the next day I thought my arm was going to fall off. We did it for quite a while.
Def. making one of these. great idea Mike, being thinking about this for a while but was not figuring as good as you did. great idea, what did you use for a spring? take the human aspect right out of it...
Awesome, thanks for sharing
Home Depot has a big selection of springs available. Look in the hardware section.
Great Idea Mike!
Mike please pass on any hints, tips and things you learnt from building yours, will start building one soon.
That should work, and be a ton of fun!
Bisch
Looks like a lot of fun Mike. Great job!