Roman Ballista

thingiverse

Fully functional miniature Roman ballista designed for large-scale 28mm RPG gaming, capable of launching a spitball approximately 10 feet or a small wooden stick about 5-6 feet. The device features two 1/8-inch diameter pins forming the linkage in the main elevation joint and serving as the axle of the pawl. These components can be easily created from 1/8-inch aluminum or steel shafts, cut to a length of 3/4 inch. To ensure smooth operation, the hole in the ballista channel should allow for free action of the pawl, enabling effective turning of the crank and proper functioning of the ratchet and pawl mechanism. The device requires 2-8 small rubber bands and two short lengths of string for optimal performance. A small straightened paper clip serves as the linch pin for releasing the missile. To assemble the ballista, print four winders and two arms. If you prefer to avoid printing support for the arms, you can print each arm in two pieces by embedding them halfway into the print bed. Once printed, glue the halves together for a sturdy assembly. Images may be uploaded soon to illustrate the assembly process.