How to Make Cars With Mouse Traps
Plenty of aspiring toy makers and engineers have experimented with mouse trap propelled cars. This has led to many bizarre innovations, such as CD wheels and tricycle-style car shapes. However, the basic building blocks for every mouse trap car are the same. Use a basic model for the mouse trap car mechanism. Then, use variations to create your own custom-made mouse trap car.
Things You'll Need
- Compass
- Foam board
- Utility knife
- Mousetrap
- 4 eyehooks
- Wooden dowel
- 8 small rubber bands
- String
Instructions
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1
Use a compass to create the outline of the wheels on a thick foam board. Cut out the wheel shapes with a sharp utility knife.
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2
Trace the mousetrap onto foam board. Enlarge the shape by a quarter-inch on all sides. This is the base of the car. Cut out the shape with a sharp utility knife.
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3
Remove the rod that is used to set the mousetrap. Remove any plastic or metal teeth from the trap. Duct tape the trap to the base of the car. Be careful not to cover up the spring in the center of the trap.
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4
Screw the eyehooks onto the bottom of each corner of the car's body. Make sure they are lined up perfectly.
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5
Cut the wooden dowel into two segments that are two inches longer than the width of the car's body. Insert the dowel sections through the eyehook loops. Make sure the dowels can spin inside the loops.
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6
Cut holes that are a little bit smaller than the dowel in each wheel. Attach the wheels to the dowels. Secure the wheels in place by wrapping small rubber bands around the dowel on each side of the wheel.
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7
Tie a string tightly to the snapper arm on the mouse trap. The string must be long enough to reach the back axle.
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8
Pull the snapper arm back until it reaches the other end of the trap. Wrap the string tightly around one side of the axle. Hold the string until you are ready to launch the car. Letting go of the string will cause the string to pull on the axle, propelling the car forward.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with different materials, shapes and sizes to create the fastest, longest-traveling mouse trap car. Large wheels will increase the distance the car travels. Lighter vehicles will move easier. Wrap rubber bands around edge of the wheels to increase traction.
Having someone help you might make it easier to launch the vehicle. One person can hold the snapper arm while the other carefully winds the string around the axle.
Adults should supervise children during this activity and assist with the necessary cutting.
Make sure the eyehooks are lined up perfectly or the car axles will not be straight. This will prevent the car from moving properly.
