Rubber Band Engineer: All-Ballistic Pocket Edition: From a Slingshot Rifle to a Mousetrap Catapult, Build 10 Guerrilla Gadgets from Household Hardware

This book has some great projects for diving into the world of engineering and the physics of motion. I bought this for my son to flip through for inspiration, and he wants to build everything! "All-Ballistic" in the title says it all. I mean, what tinkerer wouldn't be excited about building an enhanced mousetrap catapult? At 8 years old, my son could do some of these projects on his own. Many require more precision and guidance, but are still a good level for a joint adult-child effort. I love that all of the materials are simple, and am so grateful that resources like this exist to enrich my son's learning journey.

I've bought several copies of this book. Great gift for boy or girl. This and a bag of rubber bands and you've made any kids weekend!

I've posted before about my constant hunt for books with projects that will interest the boys. Rubber Band Engineer: All-Ballistic Pocket Edition: From a Slingshot Rifle to a Mousetrap Catapult, Build 10 Guerrilla Gadgets from Household Hardware by Lance Akiyama looked like a good possibility and, after reading through the electronic review copy the publisher sent me through NetGalley, I'm convinced that this is a book for us.What do I love about it so much?The projects use things that we have around the house -- and the instructions include a list of suggested substitutes. So if you don't have a long enough rubber band, you can chain several together. There are a lot of paint stirrers and paper clips and pencils involved, as well as duct tape and a hot glue gun. I've got those things and the extras I'd have to purchase for some of the more complex projects (if they're not already out in the garage or barn) aren't that exotic or expensive.The book includes lots of clear pictures that show how the pieces go together and the projects range from very easy to what looks like a reasonable challenge.There are tips for adjusting the trajectory and force, and suggestions what to search online to learn more about what's involved, like "The Archer's Paradox."

A friend of mine built a trebuchet at the family farm and tested it the week I visited. Building machines to shoot stuff around has never been my thing, but what the heck.Here Lance Akiyama presents 10 launchers made from wooden paint stirrers, small blocks of wood, pencils, duct tape, PVC pipe, binder clips, and mousetraps. The launch action is powered by rubber bands.I haven't played with paint stirrers for a while but I don't recollect their having much flex, and I am not overly fond of duct tape. But then, I was never one to build my own toys. The PVC slingshot, though, looks like a slick substitute for the metal slingshots I use (ineffectively) against feral tomcats in my garden."Rubber Band Engineer" was first published in 2016 and "Launchers, Lobbers, and Rockets Engineer: Make 20 Awesome Ballistic Blasters with Ordinary Stuff" came out in 2018. This pocket-sized, hardcover book with rubber band closure is intended to be a gift edition for someone who might want to carry this kind of book around in a pocket.If you know someone like that then here's your gift.I received a review copy of "Rubber Band Engineer: All-Ballistic Pocket Edition: From a Slingshot Rifle to a Mousetrap Catapult, Build 10 Guerrilla Gadgets from Household Hardware" by Lance Akiyama (Quarto – Rockport) through NetGalley.com.

Wow! Know any teens or tweens who love to create or tinker? I do. I have one of my own! I also love to tinker! As an engineer and homeschool mom (and also visual artist...photography) I have to say I love the project concepts in this book, the educational value, and the layout! I think you get a lot for the money. I recommend it! The projects look challenging but not so complicated a child and adult couldn’t do them.I was given an eARC copy of this book. Now I want to buy the full-sized book for my son and I to work on together!

We have the 2016 full size "Rubber Band Engineer" book, and the crossbow project is in there. I'm trying to see if this version has some new projects in it, or is just a subset of items from the earlier edition. Given that you need supplies and "tools", I'm not sure about the value of a pocket edition.Now, a spiral edition that would lay flat for consulting while working on projects ...

Simple designs to make with the children. Our cat loves chasing things fired from the catapult.

Fantastic book with projects that are laid out specifically with all tools needed !