Tabletop Catapult: Build Your Own Siege Engine! Includes 192-page Book

Nice item. All parts were included and directions were fairly clear. This is a good project to work on with your child. I suggest a little sandpaper, wood glue and simple tools to make a successful catapult. The book is interesting to read and project directions make sense.

Do not buy this unless you have advanced modeling skills - construction of the frame is A-OK - but satisfactory fabrication of the torsion string assembly required a piece of plywood (say 12" by 12") - assembly jig holes - say 1" - 1 1/2" wider than frame for tension dowels (holes drilled on a 90 degree axis to frame) to hold dowels) (slack for threading of string) (insertion of winding dowels), and an electric or hand drill for same, appropriate drill bit, thread, a sewing neele(to pull string through frame/washers), some ingenuity, and patience (Think overall width of frame not upright part of frame when "wrapping string"). Included instructions do not take into account tension of string assembly/insertion of retention dowels/winding of tension strings - you will need a large diameter center punch for insertion of string tension dowels. Very nice once assembled - LOOKS GREAT - will launch a US Penny about 12/14 feet on a good shot. Glue on string knot is not a bad idea.Hostile Chinese software makes this review difficult.

It took me about 10 to 15 minutes to put the included model together. I have been building catapults as a hobby for years though so I already understood what I was doing. The frame is so well built that you do not even need to glue it, the rope tension and pegs keep everything together just fine. I have not tried to make any of the models in the book but the instructions seems to be very in depth. This is a great way to get into building siege engines. It also came with some soft modeling clay to use a projectile. I would suggest getting some ping pong balls too just so no one/pets gets hurt