How to Make a Mousetrap Car

Did you know there is a project called the mouse trap car and you wouldn’t think you can make a car made out of some materials and a mousetrap travel some distance. The potential energy in the spring of the mousetrap snapper arm transforms into the kinetic energy that propels a car.

Material needed!

.Dowels

.cd's

.cardboard

.Mousetrap

.string

.duct tape

.hot glue

.Box cutter

.straws

.paperclip

.skewer

Step 1 out of your materials grab 2 cd's, skewers,4 little pieces of square cardboard, half straw, duct tape. First Get a skewer and cardboard piece and make a hole through the cardboard box then stick the skewer through the cardboard. Next, Get your cd and try to put it in a 90 - degree angle. Then put the cardboard on the back side of the cd and hot glue it around the cardboard also tape the cardboard then do the same steps on the front side of the cd. Also for the other side get your straw that is cut in half and stick through the skewer so the CDs can spin then do the same thing you did for the other side of the skewer.

Step 2 Get cardboard and cut with a box cutter to 6- inch base and 9 - inch height then tape it over with any tape you like and even out tape so it looks nice then hot glue it to the straw.

Step 3 Flip the car and get 2 dowels and glue one on each side.

Step 4 First grab a dowel and cardboard piece and make a hole through the cardboard box then stick the skewer through the cardboard. Next, Get your cd and try to put it in a 90- degree angle. Then put the cardboard on the back side of the cd and hot glue it around the cardboard. Also for the other side cut 2 pieces of straw that are about 3 inches and Be sure the straws are parallel to each other and are touching the cd so you have space in middle for the next step. Lastly, put the other wheel for the other side.

Step 5, Grab the side with the 2 dowels on bottom of the base and hot glue it on 2 parallel straws.

Step 6 Take a mousetrap and remove the pieces that make up the release trigger (bait holder and wire bail, see picture). Use two or three 4” zip ties to secure the ¼ inch dowel to the snap arm and reinforce with tape or hot glue. Glue the mousetrap in place towards the front on the top side of the car with hot glue. Be sure the dowel is pointing forward away from the notch in the cardboard and that the dowel also lines up with the center of the notch when it is pulled back.

Step 7 Attach a piece of string to the end of the ¼ inch dowel with a zip tie. It should reach a bit longer than a hook on the rear axle. Tie a small loop on the end. Then loop should just reach the hook on the rear axle Then for the opposite side on a skewer which the other side of where the zip ties are and tape the other side of the string to there.

Step 8 Making the hook to hook your string on. Get a paper clip cut into a little L shape as seen in the picture then hot glue it to the front part of the car and in middle.

All you need to do is twist the front cd which should make the string start twisting around the front dowel and make sure you make the car go as far you can then the string should start untwisting and the cars should start accelerating.

I myself could have built it more stable car and used better material that was given to me. But one good thing about our car was it has a lighter mass which allows it to cover long distances. Also, One good thing about our car is that it did go somewhat fast, but ended up having a little less energy than expected. To add we did have a few mistakes as we were making it but that okay because you're not always going to get it on the first try. Lastly, I hope my instructions helped you make one your self and I had a really good time making it I think it was worth my time and hopefully yours too.