How to Make a Self-Propelled Model Car
A model car needs more than a set of wheels to make it go-- there must be an engine of some kind to propel it forward. You can make a self-propelled model car that will be propelled by compressed air. You'll need a few supplies found around the house as well as from a hobby store. Adult supervision is also required if you are underage, since a cutting edge will be used.
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Plastic drinking straws
- 1/4-inch cardboard
- Bottle caps
- Bonding glue
- Stapler
- Party balloon
- Duct tape
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Place a sheet of newspaper on a table to protect the surface. Place the cardboard on the newspaper. Cut a 4-inch by 5-inch rectangle out of the cardboard with the scissors. Dispose of the excess cardboard in the trash.
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2
Place the cardboard rectangle on the newspaper with the 5-inch side facing you. Cut the plastic drinking straw in half with the scissors.
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3
Place a bottle cap on the newspaper. Apply bonding glue to the center of the bottle cap. Place an end of one of the two plastic drinking straws against the bonding glue on the bottle cap. Hold the plastic drinking straw for a minute so the bonding glue can take hold. Let the bonding glue set for an hour. Repeat this procedure with another bottle cap and the other end of the plastic drinking straw.
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4
Repeat this entire procedure with two bottle caps and another plastic drinking straw.
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5
Measure in a half-inch from each end of the cardboard rectangle. Place a plastic straw vertically on the cardboard rectangle at the half-inch mark on each end.
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6
Staple each end of the plastic drinking straws to the cardboard rectangle. Turn the cardboard rectangle over.
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7
Cut another plastic drinking straw in half. Insert an end from each of the two plastic drinking straws into the neck of the party balloon. Wrap strips of duct tape around the neck of the party balloon to secure the straws.
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8
Apply bonding glue to the center and the free ends of the two straws. Place the two straws horizontally on top of the cardboard rectangle with the free ends butted up against the left end. Let the bonding glue set for two hours.
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9
Wrap your lips around the two free ends of the plastic drinking straws. Blow up the balloon. Place your fingers over the ends of the plastic drinking straws.
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10
Place the model car you have made on the floor. Remove your fingers from the ends of the plastic drinking straws. Watch as your model car propels itself across the floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use paper drinking straws as they will eventually fall apart.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
