Q: 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.
A: Gather the materials. Contemplate base and weights. Cut your plywood supports. Choose the right material for your throwing arm. Cut your torsion handles.

Q: Your first employment is an essential step in growing up. Unless you're a trust-funder, you're going to need to work as you enter adulthood. Some start working earlier, during high school, while some wait until college or even after college, to start working. There's no right time to start, but adjusting to employment is an essential step in adulthood. A part-time job can be an excellent way of building necessary work skills and making supplementary income, even if your parents are still shouldering you financially. Gradually work toward a more self-reliant way of making money, however. It might be tempting to blow your first couple paychecks on a Gibson Les Paul and two tickets to Cabo, but that's the way a teenager spends money. Put that money in the bank and start saving it. Establish a balanced budget that will allow you to live comfortably,  taking into account necessary expenses for each month, as well as savings and disposable income. Try to balance your financial obligations in the here-and-now with taking necessary steps to reach your long-term goals.   Monthly expenses include rent, bills, and food. Most of them you'll have a fairly solid idea about, and try to budget slightly more for food than you may actually need. If you're not sure, keep close track of how much money you spend in an average week on food, then multiply times four. Try to save some money as soon as possible, if you can. Putting away a certain percentage of your paycheck every month into a savings account can start to accumulate significantly over the years and months. Even if you can only afford to throw in 50 bucks, you're still taking a necessary step toward adulthood. When you leave your parents' house, it's possible to enter into a difficult in-between time. It's very difficult to become completely financially independent straight out of school, or during school, but you can start taking small steps to work ever toward financial freedom and responsibility. Your goal should be close budgeting, and relying on no one else for financial aid.  Good first steps are paying your own utilities bills and rent, then trying to pick up your phone bill, your car payments, and other expenses along the way. Slowly transition into taking care of yourself financially. Pay your bills on time and starting taking advantage of manageable credit opportunities to begin establishing a record of credit. Every time you sign a lease, put your name on a utility bill, or make a timely credit card payment, you're working to establish a credit record that will help you down the road in taking out a loan to buy a house, or make other big purchases and investments.   Young people are often notoriously bad when it comes to using credit cards. It's not free money. Don't run up a big bill on your credit card and say that you'll worry about it later. Consider making regular purchases with a credit card, if you qualify for one, and pay off the balance immediately with money you already have. Treat a credit card like a debit card to avoid getting in over your head. Make loan payments, bill payments, and other payments on time. Don't waste money needlessly on late fees by setting up auto-debit functions online for each of your monthly bills and keeping close records of your budget. Put extra money into a savings account and don't touch it just because you can. It's easy to find a reason to throw your extra money away on a new-model Dodge Challenger, but consider your long term financial goals and keep that money in the bank.  When you can, it's a good idea to start a 401k and begin saving for retirement. Most businesses help their employees start to save money for retirement by providing the opportunity to start a savings account in which you can put money before taxes, which the company will then match a certain percentage of, in addition. Simply put: buy things that you can afford, and plan out how you'll pay for them before you make the purchase. Don't put things on credit if you're not sure how quickly you'll be able to pay off the debt, and don't rack up huge debts when you're only making the minimum monthly payment each month with your credit card.   It's hard to do things like buy a house, pay college tuition, or make big automotive purchases strictly on a cash basis, so it'll be likely that you'll end up with some amount of loan debt at some point in your life. Speak with a financial advisor to learn which option and interest rate works best for you, and work with them to get the smartest package for your financial situation.  Consolidate your debt, if you can. Paying multiple loan payments each month can get confusing and frustrating, especially if you're not putting enough toward paying down the principal, drawing out the process. As you grow older, a marker of maturity is your willingness to take on new responsibilities and stand up for your work. Be ambitious.   Volunteer for leadership roles at your job, if an opportunity presents itself. Don't worry about whether or not you'll be the perfect choice for a particular position. While you should cultivate an ambitious reputation at your job and in your relationships, don't be afraid to turn down requests that don't line up with your goals for yourself. Being ambitious doesn't mean taking on everything that falls in your lap, but that you actively create opportunities to advance toward your long-term goals.
A: Get a job: Budget your money. Pay your own bills in a  timely manner. Establish a good record of credit. Start saving money. Live within your means. Be ambitious at work and take on new responsibilities.

Q: Wet your aluminum with water, then add a small squirt of dish soap to a rag or sponge. Use the sponge or rag to clean off any grime, dirt, food, etc. that is attached to the aluminum.
A:
Wash the aluminum with dish soap and water.