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craftgrrl(Crossposted to the Institute's personal LJ.)
Two years ago, we at the Institute brought you the wonderful magic of the Peepinator 3000. We enjoyed launching those Peeps so much, we decided that one day, we would have to make a Peep catapult.
Friends, that day is today.
Teaser:
We at the Institute decided to use Storm the Castle's tabletop catapult tutorial. As we have the mechanical aptitude of your average carrot, this tutorial seemed like an easy way to go. After gathering supplies at Home Depot with Institute associate James, we headed over to the house of Institute associate![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ladiefare to borrow her power tools and beg some assistance. Her industrious son, associate dtas2, cut the wood and partially assembled the framework of the catapult, attaching the metal bar and the swinging arm. We took pictures on the official Institute camera phone, but unfortunately, it was dark out and the pictures didn't come out very well.
They lent us their drill for the next phase of the project: assembling and screwing together the rest of the catapult framework. With the help of James, construction pressed forward.
My friend James held the wood together while I drilled holes for the screws. Just FYI, if it wasn't for James e-mailing me and saying, "So when are we going to Home Depot?" the Institute would've procrastinated on this like nobody's business.
Progress!
Getting there...
Getting there...
Done! Now for our favorite part: the decorations.
I cut a cardboard box into the shape of Peeps. I freehanded these. I'm very proud of them, because I honestly can't draw to save my life.
Spray paint and glitter! We at the Institute believe in being as fabulous as possible.
After spray painting the Peeps and nailing them on, it was time to make a paper basket and add stickers.
Awesome.
A few more coats of spray paint later, the birds are ready to go.
Pretty much done, aside from the hooks and rubber bands. James suggested I add some Easter basket grass, which was an awesome idea. I just wish I could actually get the grass to stay in! Regular glue didn't really work.
Finally, it was Easter, and the Peepapult was ready for testing. Here'sdtas2 screwing the hooks in.
Peeps away! Our first test subject prepares for flight.
The Peepapult launched the test subjects between about 6 to 15 feet, with around 9 feet being the norm. While it wasn't the ridiculously long power-launch that we hoped for, it was still a respectable distance for a tabletop catapult. We found that the more rubber bands we hooked on, the further the Peeps flew. However, the rubber bands weren't strong enough to handle the stress applied to them, and at least one would snap with every launch. We lost quite a few rubber bands. We at the Institute will need to explore alternative options. Perhaps bungee cord will work.
One of the shorter landings.
Can you spot the Peep? It's near the center of the picture, parallel to the end of the garden fence.
Rock and roll.
dtas2 gets his Peep launch on.
The testing grounds. Now with Jones soda!
It was too dark out to get any video. I might try to get some on my camera next week during the day. The final verdict: while the Peepapult isn't as fun or powerful as the Peepinator 3000, it's still pretty entertaining. Once we iron out the kinks, we are confident it will provide hours of Peep-launching enjoyment.
We at the Institute would like to thankladiefare, dtas2, and the rest of their family, along with James, by making all of you Honorary Institute Members. These projects truly would not have been completed without your help.
Hope you all enjoyed, and that you had a Happy Easter!
Two years ago, we at the Institute brought you the wonderful magic of the Peepinator 3000. We enjoyed launching those Peeps so much, we decided that one day, we would have to make a Peep catapult.
Friends, that day is today.
Teaser:
We at the Institute decided to use Storm the Castle's tabletop catapult tutorial. As we have the mechanical aptitude of your average carrot, this tutorial seemed like an easy way to go. After gathering supplies at Home Depot with Institute associate James, we headed over to the house of Institute associate
ladiefare to borrow her power tools and beg some assistance. Her industrious son, associate dtas2, cut the wood and partially assembled the framework of the catapult, attaching the metal bar and the swinging arm. We took pictures on the official Institute camera phone, but unfortunately, it was dark out and the pictures didn't come out very well. They lent us their drill for the next phase of the project: assembling and screwing together the rest of the catapult framework. With the help of James, construction pressed forward.
My friend James held the wood together while I drilled holes for the screws. Just FYI, if it wasn't for James e-mailing me and saying, "So when are we going to Home Depot?" the Institute would've procrastinated on this like nobody's business.
Progress!
Getting there...
Getting there...
Done! Now for our favorite part: the decorations.
I cut a cardboard box into the shape of Peeps. I freehanded these. I'm very proud of them, because I honestly can't draw to save my life.
Spray paint and glitter! We at the Institute believe in being as fabulous as possible.
After spray painting the Peeps and nailing them on, it was time to make a paper basket and add stickers.
Awesome.
A few more coats of spray paint later, the birds are ready to go.
Pretty much done, aside from the hooks and rubber bands. James suggested I add some Easter basket grass, which was an awesome idea. I just wish I could actually get the grass to stay in! Regular glue didn't really work.
Finally, it was Easter, and the Peepapult was ready for testing. Here's
dtas2 screwing the hooks in.Peeps away! Our first test subject prepares for flight.
The Peepapult launched the test subjects between about 6 to 15 feet, with around 9 feet being the norm. While it wasn't the ridiculously long power-launch that we hoped for, it was still a respectable distance for a tabletop catapult. We found that the more rubber bands we hooked on, the further the Peeps flew. However, the rubber bands weren't strong enough to handle the stress applied to them, and at least one would snap with every launch. We lost quite a few rubber bands. We at the Institute will need to explore alternative options. Perhaps bungee cord will work.
One of the shorter landings.
Can you spot the Peep? It's near the center of the picture, parallel to the end of the garden fence.
Rock and roll.
dtas2 gets his Peep launch on.The testing grounds. Now with Jones soda!
It was too dark out to get any video. I might try to get some on my camera next week during the day. The final verdict: while the Peepapult isn't as fun or powerful as the Peepinator 3000, it's still pretty entertaining. Once we iron out the kinks, we are confident it will provide hours of Peep-launching enjoyment.
We at the Institute would like to thank
ladiefare, dtas2, and the rest of their family, along with James, by making all of you Honorary Institute Members. These projects truly would not have been completed without your help. Hope you all enjoyed, and that you had a Happy Easter!
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