Trebuchets?

[escherblacksmith]

I have a small one as well, flings grapes a good 30' depending on the ballast . . .

it would be fun to have one at MNRF, just no place to put it . . . or nothing visible to aim at.

btw, for those interested, easily the best show on this awesome device:

NOVA Secrets of Lost Empires - Medieval Siege

[Captain Kilian]

I kept a small one on my desk, that I acquired from faire, and proceeded to launch paper clips, and other small objects into the offices of my 'superiors' (like that can be superior without weapons of mass distraction to fire back with!). Only trouble I had was if the object were 'too heavy' it that arc would carry it into the ceiling, and deny the projectile it's full flight. Outdoors the wee little beast can hit at least 50 feet away.

Next up: USB powered Cannon!

[Lady Rosalind]

He he! Our scout troop kids can take poles and twine (lots of twine), and make a working trebuchet in a couple of hours.  At the Des Moines Faire in 2005, we actually participated in a "battle" with the Kingdom of D'enes, launching water balloons at the invaders to back up the defenders. They even hit a couple of invaders, who then had to "die". Loads of fun!

[Hoowil]

Add building a mini trebuchet to my list of eventual projects.

[Craigmeister]

Thanks for the link to the Nova trebuchet show.  I saw the end of that a year ago or so & was frustrated that I had missed it.  That is indeed a good one.  I'll have to watch it this week.  HUZZAH!

[Dayna]

Siouxland in Sioux Falls South Dakota is having their second annual trebuchet contest June 7th and 8th.

I also have both a mini and medium trebuchet, not from a purchased kit either, they fling marshmallows, dog kibble, small rocks, marbles, etc.

Dayna

[Jack Daw at Work]

I seem to recall a trebuchet at the TxRF one year, but it is definitely not there anymore.  Although not a ren-faire, the Long's Peak Highland Games exhibits and fires trebuchets and cannon.  Also, Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness has a trebuchet on the grounds.  I don't know if, or when, it is fired.

[Woodland Artisan]

In what faires can one find firing trebuchets?  The Oklahoma Ren Faire used to have them.  They don't fire them any more though.  I've heard that insurance costs make it prohibitive.  I've also heard that a new building at the end of the jousting arena would be endangered w/ their operation.

Last I had heard, FLARF or one of those faires in Florida had a working treb that fired out into the ocean/lake or whatever.  Anybody confirm this?

The insurance, when you can even get a quote on it (almost all that I've contacted simply won't), is absolutely crazy.   I checked into it last late-winter and again, more in-depth, in the summer.   There's simply no way a person, or most faires can afford it.

I took my "scrapwood treb" (there's a little blurb and 2 pictures at http://www.hiltonhandcraft.com/RenFaire/ ) to the faires that I merchanted / demonstrated last year and the interest in it was overwhelming.  We never did fire it during faire but it certainly was an attention-getter and sparked a lot of kids' imaginations.

I'm still in the process of editing a video of the treb firing flaming balls during a siege on a cardboard castle.  Hopefully, I can get that done and posted in a month or two.

It'd be nice to see more of these types of equipment displayed and used at faire and events.  However, safety must be foremost in peoples' minds.  And, from personal experience, these things don't always "fling" where you expect them to.

[Sir William Marcus]

Last I had heard, FLARF or one of those faires in Florida had a working treb that fired out into the ocean/lake or whatever.  Anybody confirm this?

They are "Anger of the Mistress" a medieval siege weapon company.  Don't know if they have an official website.  However,  here is their Myspace page...

www.myspace.com/theangerofthemistress

[Mandrake Von Sets]

The guild I'm in has a trebuchet that we fire if given the room.  We used to fire boche balls that would go approximately 100 ft.  We're experimenting more with bean bags for safety.

[Craigmeister]

The guild I'm in has a trebuchet that we fire if given the room.  We used to fire boche balls that would go approximately 100 ft.  We're experimenting more with bean bags for safety.

I guess California's liability insurance rates aren't as high as Oklahoma's.  I haven't seen a firing trebuchet in about 5 years here.  It's sad that our litigious society prevents us from reliving such a unique aspect of the past.  They can fly demonstration flight teams over airports & tarmacs full of people but we can't see a trebuchet knock a hole in a piece of plywood.  Go figure!

[Dustin]

You can play a fun trebuchet game here.   

[BubbleWright]

For years Delaware has been the home of "Punkin Chunkin", held the 1st weekend of November. Although the air cannons get the most coverage in the press because they are approaching shots of one mile, there are different categories of tossing machines from rotary arm (V-8 powered!) to all the Medieval war machines. Trebuchets are well represented. Google "Punkin Chunkin" or search YouTube for "Punkin Chunkin" and you can find some mean trebuchets.

Rules for Punkin Chunkin:
       - 8 to 10 pound pumpkins.
       - No part of the machine can cross the firing line.
       - Pumpkin must be intact when it leaves the machine.
       - Pumpkins cannot be frozen or covered with any kind of wrapping.
       - Use of explosives, gun powder or atomic power is not permitted.

[Craigmeister]

I've seen Punkin Chunkin on the Discovery or History Channel.  It was hosted by Bryan Callen who used to be on MAD TV.  That looks like awesome fun!  I wish they would do that around here 3 or 4 times a year.

[Dayna]

Totally addictive game, my boss is Not going to like this 

Dayna