The finished launcher, the electric tape rolls are just to show your the size of the launcher.
Archive for lever
The fulcrum for the launch lever is a piece of scrap wood about 20 millimeter square and 100 millimeter long, it should stick out from the base, which is 80 millimeters wide. Note that we have sanded or filed one edge so that the lever slants down towards the long arm... This is important for the good working of the launcher!
The lever, a paint stirr stick or piece of sawn wood about 35 centimeter long, (the same as the base board of the launcher), is glued to the fulcrum, and secured with two small nails or a small screw. Use the yellow carpenters' glue from a hardware store. That is acually a good all purpose glue!
Launcher base and lever. The base at the left can be any piece of plywood or particle board, in this case it is a piece of laminated scrap particle board, about 30 centimeters long and 8 centimeters wide; note the two notches sawn or carved-in at each side, note also the location, try to make the notches as in the example. The lever was cut from a plank, but a paint stirr stick will perfectly do the job. You can ask the paint shop to donate a few to you for this project, or you offer to pay, they cost only maybe 25 cents.
A medicine cup is glued with an electric hot glue gun to the lever and then secured with a screw, this makes it extra strong. The screw should be short and not stick out from the bottom of the lever. You can get these medicine cups at any pharmacy, ask and explain why you need it and they will be willing to give you two or three, one you use the others are back-ups!
The launcher is assembled, now you need to add some colour. If you are eager to launch the first object go ahead, watch your eyes, safety glasses should be worn! Make also sure no other persons are close and only launch light objects such as the cork, a marshmellow or bouncy ball.
