The Desktop Onager

I just received the desktop onager but have not put it together since it will be a gift for my teenage son at Christmas. I'm writing this review to let you know just how it arrives and what is in the box.Hurray, it arrived quickly! Nicely boxed in a standard carton but not over packaged with bright header or plastic packaging, just the parts you need in the cardboard box complete with saw dust from milling. The pieces are pre-cut with a die onto what looks like poplar, not oak as pictured. They are not cut all the way through the wood so need to be scored, broken away and sanded. These are not Tinkertoys you do have a bit of work involved but that's all part of the process. Some items are prepared in advance such as the balls, leather pad etc. The instructions are printed in color with clear photos and directions.I hope it proves to be a sturdy item, it looks like good old fashioned fun with hard wood pieces. If you enjoy the idea of simple wooden toys, are not put off by the lack of flashy packaging and like the thought of buying from a small US company then I think it is worth your while.

The Onager comes as a model kit, and like a plastic kit, you have to break the pieces out of the boards they were cut from. Be prepared to do some fine cutting and sanding to prepare the pieces, then an hour or two putting it together, before you let it set for the glue to dry.This catapult is powerful, able to throw the wooden balls that come with it nearly 10 yards in a direct shot - much farther if you tilt the catapult up and back. It's a fun toy, that requires adult supervision, or a mature child. My son and I shoot a variety of erasers across the house.I was disappointed that the throwing arm support/stop frame is only glued together, but after three weeks, it has held up well. The throwing basket on the arm broke off after a dozen shots, but more wood glue has held it firmly in place ever since.Getting the ropes around the arm evenly tight is a challenge, but the tension will release and need to be re-tightened after every shot if you don't.

The parts broke before it could ever be used and after we fixed them you still couldn't use it.

My son had the opportunity for extra credit for his World Cultures class and chose to make this. He and his Grandpa were able to construct this in a short period of time. It had to dry overnight, but it is great. Has great firing power. I'm sure his teacher and classmates will be impressed! This is a great item, arrived quickly and easy to assemble for all ages. I think Grandpa enjoyed it more! So far we are just firing off M&M's and Skittles as they do the least damage. It does come with wooden balls for firing, but they may do some damage inside. We're saving them for outside, but it does fire objects far distances. Something he can keep on his dresser and remember the time spent with his Grandpa assembling this.

it is very good. it is very funny. It is strong and soft. it is very good. it is very funny. It is strong and soft.

This desktop catapult is great fun and I highly recommend buying it. However, a word of caution: while it was not too complicated to build, it was not quite as easy as the ad said it would be. If you've never used a file or sand paper, you may want to consider another project. Otherwise, buy it and have a blast! One more thing: put a coat of dark wood stain on it - very cool looking!

I took a small risk and bought this kit for my son's sixth birthday. He loves building with blocks and loves a certain popular, plastic-block building system from Denmark, but I was not sure if he would have the patience for sanding and gluing. The short review is: I was not disappointed. Building it together, despite having to take the lead myself, remained engaging for him - and the encouragement it took was well worth the investment after seeing the amazed look on his face when he first fired it. There's something really neat about getting that kind of "whack" just using a twisted coil of string!I would say it is pretty much as advertised and the first review is helpful, too. It arrived with all of the wood pieces still attached to a wooden template and needing sprues cut. I was lucky to have all of the tools on hand. Be sure to have some sand paper and a modeling or utility knife at least. The instructions recommend a utility knife, metal flat file, metal round "rat tail" file, sandpaper, glue, and clamps. We used all of those, but I was really particular about having a smooth finish and a well-constructed catapult. You could make due with less. It does appear to be poplar, not red oak. But poplar's a sturdy hardwood, too, so we weren't disappointed.My son and I built it in about two or three 30 minute sittings, letting the glue dry overnight. I kept it short for him and gave him the sanding and some filing while I used the knife. One night I attached the string and the next morning we attached the arm and trigger. Properly constructed, it is quite durable. It is holding up after several trips outside. He is certainly not handling it with kid gloves (haha).And now to the best part: The firing. I gave him a quick safety talk, worried as I was that he'd be sending wooden balls down range at 90mph. But actually, it was great. The tighter you wind it, the farther it goes. So while I was firing it at a range of about 20', my son could get about 4-6' - which was perfect for firing at toy soldier fortified encampments. Outside he fires nuts and rocks. Inside, foam balls, recalcitrant soldiers, and the occasional marble.Educationally speaking, I think this is a great toy for a homeschooling family or just about anyone. In building it, we talked about carpentry and how things are made, about the physics of the firing arm and the impact on the strike plate - softened by a leather pad, about safety and responsibility with tools. But I got this gift in preparation for a trip to Rome, thinking I would incorporate some Roman figures as well. It has also provided ample talking points about ancient and medieval life (not to say warfare).In a word, this toy has set a trend. Neither of us can wait to try the trebuchet!