How to Build a CO2 Dragster
CO2 dragsters are used to teach about motion, aerodynamics and thrust. They are also raced competitively in many schools and in national league competitions. When it is punctured, a small canister of pressurized CO2 sends the car shooing forward at a tremendous rate of speed. To win, a car has to be light, streamlined and well-assembled.
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Things You'll Need
- CO2 dragster kit
- Sandpaper
- Drill press
- Band saw
- Masking tape
- Table sander
- Spray paint
- Miscellaneous tools
Instructions
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1
Buy a CO2 dragster kit such as the one in Resources below. CO2 kits come with balsa or basswood body blanks, wheels, axles and all the other parts you need to make your own CO2 dragster. Many also come with a Styrofoam body blank, which you can use to model and tinker with your design before building the actual car.
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2
Sketch out a design for your car. Draw a profile view and a view from the top. Try to make the design as streamlined as possible to minimize wind resistance.
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3
Sketch the design onto the Styrofoam body blank. Then, use sandpaper to wear away the foam until the body is in the desired shape. This will let you preview your design before you actually build the car. If your kit doesn't have a foam blank, or if you want to get right to building, skip this step.
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4
Draw the profile of the car on the side of the block. Then, draw the top view on the top.
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5
Turn the block on its side and make two holes for the axles with a drill press. A drill press is preferable to a hand drill because it will let you make parallel holes that are perpendicular to the car's axis for straight wheels. Most kits come pre-drilled for the CO2 cartridge. If yours doesn't, you will also have to drill a hole for that.
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6
Use a band saw to carve out the profile of the car. Then, tape the body and the piece you cut away together with a couple loops of masking tape. Turn the car right side up and make the vertical cuts. Remove the masking tape and the waste wood.
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7
Sand away any burrs with sandpaper. Then, smooth the edges of the car to get flowing, even curves. Start with rough sandpaper, and use finer and finer grit until the car is smooth.
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8
Paint the car with spray paint. Use several thin coats, giving each one time to dry before you apply the next.
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9
Assemble the wheels. Put the wheels, bearings and washers on the axles according to the instructions that came with your kit. Insert the axles into the holes you drilled. The car should roll smoothly.
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