To ensure you build the best and safest catapult, find durable and strong materials to withstand the extreme forces your catapult will use when shooting objects. There are a great many materials you could use in the construction of your catapult, but at minimum you will need:  Broomstick or crank Padding Plywood (1/4" to 1/2" thick, 15" by 18 and 1/2") Rope (strong, stretchy preferred,like kernmantle rope) Screws or bolts Weights (optional) Wood (preferably non-flexible, like oak wood) If using 2x4 planks collect: two pieces at 36", one piece at 30", four pieces at 15", and one piece at 18" Since your catapult utilizes such powerful forces to eject its payload, you will need a strong and sturdy platform for launching as well as a strong and stable foundation. Poor foundation can throw off your aim or cause your catapult to fail. Torsion catapults, which is the technical name for a normal catapult, have historically been built with heavy, reinforced sides, as these would allow for heavier payload, greater tensile force, and greater stability. For the base of this catapult, you will use a 2x4 base supported with plywood triangles. To prepare your plywood supports, take one rectangular piece of plywood 1/4" to 1/2" thick, 15" by 18 and 1/2", and cut it diagonally into two equal triangles. Traditionally, spruce or fir wood were used for the throwing arm, as these woods were light and strong. Consult your local lumberyard to see if these are an affordable option and, if not, ask for some alternatives, two of which follow:  Thick PVC pipe Metal pipe (lightweight, durable) You will need rope torsion to provide the launching force for your catapult. The more twists, the greater the torque, the more power your catapult will have. The amount of torsion (twisting) you can achieve is limited only by your strength and the strength of the materials you've used in making your catapult. To make your torsion handles, take a broomstick and cut into two 15 inch segments.
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One-sentence summary -- Gather the materials. Contemplate base and weights. Cut your plywood supports. Choose the right material for your throwing arm. Cut your torsion handles.


Look for a place with good ventilation where burns and spills won't matter. Put on gloves and goggles to protect yourself. An old baking pan works well for this purpose. If you're making more than 1 soft plastic lure, you can arrange several molds on the pan. This will make it easier to remove the soft plastic lure from the mold after it cools and solidifies. Be aware that the cooking spray may affect the smell of the lure. If you fill the cup fuller than this, you may have difficulty pouring the resin into the mold once it's heated. If you're melting down old soft plastic lures, put them in the cup in place of the resin. As the resin heats, it will first thicken and then thin, changing from a milky white to clear. Microwave the resin in 30 second increments until it is clear. Stop heating at once if you see smoke. The cup may be hot, so use a pot holder and exercise caution. Add the color drop by drop until you have the shade you want. Stir the resin slowly as you add color. Use only non-metal glitter to avoid starting a fire in the microwave. As with color, add scents and flavorings gradually in small amounts. This allows the color, flavoring, scents, and glitter to be incorporated into the resin.
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One-sentence summary -- Choose a suitable work space and put on protective gear. Put your mold on a heat-resistant surface. Spray the mold cavities with cooking spray. Fill a microwave-safe measuring cup half-full of plastic resin. Microwave the resin in 30 second increments until it is clear. Remove the cup of resin/plastic from the microwave. Add a few drops of your desired color. Add scents, flavorings, and glitter if desired. Return the cup to the microwave and heat on high for 30 seconds.


Before dyeing hair that's already damaged, get a trim. This will help remove split ends, which can keep your hair healthy in the long run. In the weeks leading up to coloring your hair, go for a more aggressive conditioning regimen. An extra hydrating conditioner can help prevent future damage to you hair. Use an extra hydrating conditioner daily, a deep conditioner once a week, and use a leave-in conditioner on hot days to prevent your hair from drying out in the sun. Start using a shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair because they're gentle and moisturizing. Switching your hair products now will also ensure that you have the right products after coloring. Protein treatments can help strengthen and replenish damaged hair. You can get protein treatments done at a salon or buy protein treatments to do at home. You should only do protein treatments every one to two weeks. Otherwise, they could make your hair more brittle.  Protein treatments are similar to hair masks. You saturated the hair with the protein treatment, let it sit for a set period of time, and then rinse it out. Make sure that you follow all of the instructions for using the protein mask. Leaving the product on for too long can cause your hair to become brittle. The day before coloring your hair, purchase a deep conditioning hair mask from a salon or department store. Apply the mask to your hair and leave it in for the recommended time frame before washing it out. This will ensure your hair is adequately hydrated prior to dyeing, minimizing further damage.  If you're getting your hair done at a salon, ask your stylist for a recommendation for a hair mask. They will probably have some experience working with damaged hair and can give you a good recommendation depending on the kind of dye job you're getting. Natural ingredients that are good for the hair include things like olive oil, milk, honey, and coconut oil.
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One-sentence summary --
Get a trim. Condition more aggressively. Use protein treatments. Use a hair mask.