nnot possibly be any explosion.

The materials used in the construction of the catapult may be
found in almost any junk pile, and the only work required, outside
of what can be done at home, is to have a few threads cut on the
pieces of pipe. The fittings can be procured ready to attach,
except for drilling a hole for the firing pin.

[Illustration: Homemade Cannon Which will Hurl a Life-Size Dummy
100 Ft. through the Air]

Secure a piece of common gas pipe, 4 to 6 in. in diameter, the
length being from 18 to 24 in. Old pipe may be used if it is
straight. Have a machinist cut threads on the outside of one end,
as shown in Fig. 1, and fit an iron cap, Fig. 2, tightly on the
threaded end of the pipe. The cap is drilled and tapped in the
center for a 1-in. pipe. Thread both ends of a 1-in. pipe that is
4 in. long, Fig. 3, and turn one end securely into the threaded
hole of the cap. This pipe should project 1/4 in. inside of the
cap. Fit a cap, Fig. 4, loosely on the other end of the 1-in.
pipe. A hole is drilled into the center of this small cap just
large enough to receive a 6-penny wire nail, B, Fig. 4.

This completes the making of the cannon and the next step is to
construct a dummy which can be dressed in old clothes. Cut out two
round blocks of wood from hard pine or oak that is about 3 in.
thick, as shown in Fig. 5. The diameter of these blocks should be
about 1/8 in. less than the hole in the cannon, so they will slide
easily. In the center of each block bore a 1/4-in. hole. Secure an
iron rod, about 4 ft. long, and make a ring at one end and thread
4 in. of the other. Slip one of the circular blocks on the rod and
move it up toward the ring about 14 in. Turn a nut on the threads,
stopping it about 3-1/2 in. from the end of the rod. Slip the
other circular piece of wood on the rod and up against the nut,
and turn on another nut to hold the wooden block firmly in its
place at the end of the rod. If the rod is flattened at the place
where the upper block is located, it will hold tight. These are
shown in Fig. 5. Take some iron wire about 1/8 in. in diameter and
make a loop at the top of the rod for the head. Wire this loop to
the ring made in the rod and make the head about this loop by
using canvas or gunny cloth sewed up forming a bag into which is
stuffed either excelsior, paper or hay. The arms are made by
lashing with fine wire or strong hemp, a piece of wood 1 in.
square and 20 in. long, or one cut in the