How to Make a Car Launcher

Car launchers make racing toy cars easier.

Playing with toy cars is entertaining, especially when racing two cars. However, racing toy cars that don't have their own propellant, as do regular plastic toy cars, is not possible unless you have a car launcher. Car launchers can be purchased at most toy stores and many department stores. However, because the mechanics of a car launcher are not difficult to reproduce, you can make your own car launcher easily.

Things You'll Need

• Two 5-inch x 8-inch plywood boards
• Table saw
• Two 1-inch x 1.25-inch x 6-inch wooden blocks
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Drill
• Two three-quarter-inch screws
• One five-inch rubber band

Instructions

1. Cut two plywood boards so that they are five inches wide by eight inches long. Use a table saw to cut the board.

2. Cut two wooden blocks that are one-inch thick so that they are 1.25 inches wide by six inches long. Use any type of wood you prefer. One example of wood possible for the blocks is pinewood.

3. Attach one of the blocks to one of the plywood boards so that the one-inch-thick edge of the block meets parallel to the eight-inch edge of the board. The block should be flush against the corner of the board. Use wood glue to attach the pieces together. Clamp the pieces together and allow about two hours for the glue to dry.

4. Attach the second block to the same plywood board as the first block in the same manner as the first block was attached. This block should be flush to the corner opposite the first block.

5. Attach the second board to the structure that has the two blocks on it in the same manner as the blocks were attached to the first board. Remember that the blocks should be flush to two of the corners of the board.

6. Drill a three-quarter-inch long screw into the outer edge of the blocks, half an inch from the top or bottom of the block and half an inch from the end of the blocks that is flush with the corners of the boards. Make sure the screws are sticking out of the blocks at least one-eighth of an inch.

7. Wrap a five-inch rubber band around the back of the launcher using the screws to hold the band in place. The back of the launcher is the end where the blocks and the boards meet. To launch a toy car, insert the car through the front of the launcher, pinch the car and rubber band between your thumb and index finger, pull the car and rubber band back as far as it will stretch, and then release.

References

• Dabbled: Make a Hot Wheels Car Launcher