so is this fully powered by the mouse trap? no push or anything...only the spring of the mouse trap makes it go that far? because i have to make one of these and we cant push it or anything first :) thanks!
@jakedthiel12065 Did you look at the other "how to build it" video? It is posted as a video response. It has the link info on it. Youtube won't let me give it to you in the comments...
@dave51495 - No, as long as the anvil (wire part that hits the mouse) doesn't drag. You could push the axle a little farther down towards the center pivot to gain a half inch or so.
Would this work with 45s as opposed to the 33s you used (ie would the mouse trap not hit the ground)? I have a size restriction and 45s just fit. Thanks!
@Datoberry - The mousetrap anvil is a inclined plane, wrapped around a shaft. It goes by the common name of "screw," because if the mouse gets hit, it is screwed. The wheels are class O circular levers, and they metastasize force through differential amplification. With austrolopithic projection, all docility is nullified, which leads to autologous results. Make sure you copy this down exactly on your report. Or, if you want a better but less entertaining paper, figure it out yourself. ;-)
i made one last year with the same basics and got 142 feet! most people couldn't get more than 10 feet so i won distance and i won speed because most of the fast ones didt make it over the finish line!!! thanks for the help! the irony is though i wasn't even in the class the teacher just knew i was into this stuff and asked if i would like to!
plz someone answer this question, do you need to drill a hole in the axle, or can you glue the string onto the axle and wind it. Which would cause the car to travel a longer distance?
@PremierBeyProd - Drill the hole. If you glue the string, the car will work, but it won't keep freewheeling - and as you saw in the video, the freewheeling gives you most of the distance.
is there a website for these instructions? where i can print them out or something? i already watched the other video but i don't remember hearing where they are
we did this at our school last year. I help a lot of people build their car, i found out that if you use plastic axles and straws theirs less friction. In addition you can take the graphite from your pencils, crush it up and cover both axles and straws which will further more reduce friction
@1donagin Otherwise you could have a stopper of sorts to prevent it from swinging. I nailed a piece of plastic trim about a centimeter longer than the radius of the LP to the block with a felt piece attached to the end of the plastic. Once the axle spins enough, the stopper is lifted and it keeps rolling like normal. It doesn't affect distance much as it doesn't add enough friction (as the mousetrap isn't heavy enough).
@papasmurfmikey3 - Please view "Simple Mouse Trap Powered Car - Construction Details" in the video responses sections for info on how to get the plans.
so can you tell me the information that will allow me to calculate the amount of horsepower the little speed racer has? Hopefully whith what you have taught lately i can solve the horsepower and maybe get soem extra credit in class yeah?
@TheMessengerMalichi - 1 horsepower is equal to 550 ft.lbs per second, or 746 watts. Using the English system, you would need to calculate the average amount of force to pull back the hammer in lbs (estimated by the force it pulls on a fishing scale at half pulled), and then the distance the end of the hammer moves all together, in feet. Multiply the two to get foot pounds, and divide by the time to unwind the trap in seconds. This will be your horsepower, and it will be very tiny!
How do I increase the speed of the car? I want it to go approximate 6 - 7 m in about 3 seconds. Also if I substitute the records for CDs (Compact Discs) would that affect anything?
@ther3dn3ck1 - Good question. If it pulls one way or the other, your records aren't quite the same sized. The easiest solution is to swap out one of the records...
@ujusgotownd - perhaps you could attach another string to the axle, and make it tighten while the first one loosens. Roll it 6 meters, and then attach the string...
I am a bit baffled as to how this works. It was always my impression that a longer lever arm would propel the car for a longer distance before letting the car free-roll. But here, you use only a lever arm the length provided by the mousetrap itself. And why are two wheels better than three or four? Doesn't this make the car less stable?
Can you help me understand this better?
Also would it be generally the same if I were to use embroidery hoops instead of LP records? I believe they're lighter.
i have to make a moustrap car for a competition in my district, and the rules are, no modification, and no kits ( so that means i cant buy it from the website). i know how to get everything. but theres one problem i cant find anyplace that sells 33 rpm lp records can someone pleeeaaase help!!!
@mrgameninja100 - might I suggest a 4 minute and 5 second video I did for youtube entitled "Simple Mousetrap Car Goes 138 Feet?" You could also view another an 8 minute and 52 second video entitled "Simple Mouse Trap Powered Car - Construction Details." Together, they pretty much give all the tips that you should need.
With a lot of work (finding parts and stuff) and a lot of stress, I finally tested this out today for my physics project. I got the highest distance score of 146 tiles (1 tile=9 inches) and overall was worth it. Nobody beat me in distance, and I had a lockjaw smile for a very long time :) Thanks!
I understand that part where would you find a kit or the accesiories to help build a mouse trap car i have the mouse trap, and string but thats it and it due next week. My Physical Sience teacher is not really helping out on what store to go to.
@goodlovinkia - Good Question. Rubber wheels are actually designed to increase friction, and they are only helpful if you have issues with slipping (acceleration and braking). They would be quite bad for this car. This is why a train with steel wheels can move goods about 50 to 100 times cheaper by the pound than a truck with rubber tires can.
I just made this and i am having a problem. When i release the mouse trap all that happens is the mouse trap spins around the axle and does not pull the axle to make it move forward. Do you know a solution to this problem?
if you used an elastic cord or rubber band you could increase the distance and speed all you'd have to do is wind up the rubber band with out letting the mouse trap go back till the rubber band is taught then wind it some more as you pull back the snap part
@TheBuzzShot - most judges would bust you for it, but you can always try. If you do, make sure that your elastic has about the same strength as the trap - probably just a little bit less would be best. That way, the trap would unwind first, and then the elastic cord would have its full length to unwind.
@ashleigh2575 - Make the car, and stretch the string from the mousetrap in its UNSET position, and through the hole in the axle. Cut the string off exactly at the axle.
@OpulentRedrum - the block of wood is needed for weight, and helps to mount the bushings. The two screws are set screws for the bushings. You can omit the bushings, but it won't go as far. You can take apart old hard drives and get little ball bearings and go much farther!
Will this design work with regular CDs? How did you make the brazing rod connect with the CDs? How long is the fishing line and how exactly is it tied? And how did you set off the car to go?
Sorry but I have to make one in under a week and this seems like a simple design but I really need help on making this
Will this design work with regular CDs? How did you make the brazing rod connect with the CDs? How long is the fishing line and how exactly is it tied?
Sorry but I have to make one in under a week and this seems like a simple design but I really need help on making this
@BreakinYourMind - you need to buy or borrow a threader. They run about $15 at Lowes/Home Depot/Menards for a small set. If you have any mechanics for friends, they probably have one. A lot of school shop programs (if your school still has one) will have one also.
@1donagin Thank you soooooo much for your help, you saved my physics grade! It went 17 meters before hiting the tape measurer, and probably would've gone another 10 or 15. Thanks again.
@MrGamefreak1997 - Ice cream bucket lids? Heavy plastic cookie plates? Basically, the harder and the narrower, the less friction. The larger diameter, the better. Our local walmart has bunches of clearance christmas plates for a quarter a piece...
@1donagin Well we decided to use 5 gallon bucket lids and they work great! the only problem we had with this car was our drill died drilling the hole for the axle. Thanks for the info!
Do you have a working drawering or any plans for that i think i am going to use that design for my mouse trap car for my mechanics class if you dont mind
we're making a car too but the mousetrap keeps snapping too fast...and the axels don't make the wheels spin at all.
how do we make the mousetrap release slower?
our mousetrap is similar to yours but we used foam boards for wheels and the body instead of records and wood. our axels are wooden dowels. where are we going wrong? or is everything wrong? D:
@013angels - you need to have something that connects the wooden dowels to the wheels. A lot of hot melt glue might work. YOu might have to put weights on the trap when you are done. But it doesn't sound like you are doing everything wrong!
@1donagin - thanks! we've attached the wheels with hot glue and the mousetrap car is now moving. however, the mousetrap is snapping back too quickly so our car doesn't cover much distance. how can we fix this?
@THEUNKNOWNUSERNAME00 - "By the way, that's a rat trap-much stronger and more powerful than a mouse trap."
Actually, it isn't. If you try to hang a rat trap from an LOP record, it'll scrape bottom. That being said, you could use a rat trap and bike wheels to do the same thing...
@umairasajjad - you can, but if you do, you will need to add front wheels - because the mousetrap will drag on the ground instead. Also, the gear ratio will be significantly lower, which is why most people who do this also put an extension arm onto the mousetrap.
@mschettler2000 - yes and no - I deliberately lifted the trap as far as possible, but if you count the total number of winds (.5 x pi x the length of the string) you will find this only added about 5% to the total amount of energy. Check your rules - use whatever you can to get ahead!
@1donagin - don't forget you are increasing the rate of acceleration by doing this as well, achieving a higher velocity, and thus, increasing momentum. I'd estimate a 500-700% increase in energy due to this, seeing how under its own power it'd likely travel approx. 20-30 ft. (the rocking of the trap further reduces travel) This all should be able to be proved out by finding the total energy stored in the tension spring and calculating the max distance a certain mass would be able to travel.
@mschettler2000 - Sorry, but that isn't so. PE=mgh for the trap, and 1/2kx^2 for the trap. There is no magical difference between the two, as a Joule is a Joule is a Joule, and the energy in the trap/spring combo goes into KE as in KE=1/2mv^2. Baring frictional losses, the transformation is complete. There is no difference between my lifting the trap at the beginning, and the spring lifting the trap as the car travels.
@mschettler2000 - As a University Educated Physicist and a Federally Certified mechanic, I can assure you that High School level Physics - when understand with its limitations - does work in the real world. Often there are assumptions that are built into the equations - such as linear acceleration, no air resistance, etc. A good teacher will always ensure His or Her students understand these limitations. There are very few of us, and most HS Physics teachers do not hold degrees in their area.
so is this fully powered by the mouse trap? no push or anything...only the spring of the mouse trap makes it go that far? because i have to make one of these and we cant push it or anything first :) thanks!
danceluver03 9 hours ago
what school is this?
GagaBoy1346 3 days ago
tee hee he said nuts.....
BUBBACasey3000 2 weeks ago
i made a rat trap that goes both backwards and forwards and touching it only once
mikeabc123ab 2 weeks ago
can you give me a link to the plans? i couldn't find a link to another website or anything on your channel...
jakedthiel12065 1 month ago
@jakedthiel12065 Did you look at the other "how to build it" video? It is posted as a video response. It has the link info on it. Youtube won't let me give it to you in the comments...
1donagin 1 month ago
@1donagin ok, would it make a difference if I cut part of it off if it doesn't fit?
dave51495 1 month ago
@dave51495 - No, as long as the anvil (wire part that hits the mouse) doesn't drag. You could push the axle a little farther down towards the center pivot to gain a half inch or so.
1donagin 1 month ago
Would this work with 45s as opposed to the 33s you used (ie would the mouse trap not hit the ground)? I have a size restriction and 45s just fit. Thanks!
dave51495 1 month ago
@dave51495 - I dunno. Measure and see!
1donagin 1 month ago
@1donagin I don't have a mouse trap yet. Do you know the dimensions?
dave51495 1 month ago
@dave51495 - 1 3/4" by 3 7/8".
1donagin 1 month ago
three people at my school tried to make this only one actually worked and went 40+ feet
the other two one broke, wheels fell off axle and the other went backwards. lol
ganaschico 1 month ago
thumbs up if school brought you here smh i just want a A+
TheMakerHimself 1 month ago
@1donagin are there other things that can be used as wheels instead of records?
iAmLindsayit 2 months ago
... wats wrong with his hand?
ilcire9 2 months ago
How do you make it
hommevideo28 2 months ago
@hommevideo28 Do you have a internet site please
hommevideo28 2 months ago
WTF is wrong with me my left arm is higher than my right!!!!!!
MrHippino 2 months ago
how did you drill a hole in the metal rod?
blingbling590 2 months ago
Ours went 133ft!! thanks!!!
ForeverBeautyy 2 months ago
Did you use any simple machines? How are the wheels serving as "circular levers"?
Datoberry 3 months ago
@Datoberry - The mousetrap anvil is a inclined plane, wrapped around a shaft. It goes by the common name of "screw," because if the mouse gets hit, it is screwed. The wheels are class O circular levers, and they metastasize force through differential amplification. With austrolopithic projection, all docility is nullified, which leads to autologous results. Make sure you copy this down exactly on your report. Or, if you want a better but less entertaining paper, figure it out yourself. ;-)
1donagin 3 months ago
Is there anything on the records to make them grip to the floor
TheRblaser 3 months ago
@TheRblaser - They don't need anything. The mouse trap supplies so little power that they won't burn out.
1donagin 3 months ago
i made one last year with the same basics and got 142 feet! most people couldn't get more than 10 feet so i won distance and i won speed because most of the fast ones didt make it over the finish line!!! thanks for the help! the irony is though i wasn't even in the class the teacher just knew i was into this stuff and asked if i would like to!
tman2177 3 months ago
...And free wheeling...
GuitarHero3Pwner 3 months ago 2
I once threw a moustrap at a babies face and it like started crying? Help?
TraxxasKing 3 months ago 7
@TraxxasKing - It appears that you don't need help from a Physicist - you need help from a Psychiatrist.
1donagin 3 months ago 17
umm when you put the string throug the hole in the axel, what holds in place to be wound?
233cmf 3 months ago
this may seem like a stupid question but what are the screws on the block of wood for?
WormInYoPants 3 months ago
i really don't see how it works
Simonator1226 3 months ago
OMG my grandma makes better mouse trap cars than you
HunterEvans206 4 months ago
@HunterEvans206 - Feel free to post a video of her doing so!
1donagin 4 months ago 24
@1donagin where did you buy your records for the wheels
rmelendez94 3 months ago
@rmelendez94 - try thrift stores. I gave 25 cents each for the last batch I bought.
1donagin 3 months ago
Hi sir, i was how the record cd's could be stable. Once the axle goes through, what the best technique to make it stable? Thanks.
TheRealNationalist 4 months ago
Hi, can u plz give me a few tips on using ure system but with 3 wheels 2 axles. Thank you
PremierBeyProd 4 months ago
thanks man now i can build mine its due 2morrow you got me out of some deep shit =D
MrEatdirtdog 4 months ago
plz someone answer this question, do you need to drill a hole in the axle, or can you glue the string onto the axle and wind it. Which would cause the car to travel a longer distance?
PremierBeyProd 4 months ago
@PremierBeyProd - Drill the hole. If you glue the string, the car will work, but it won't keep freewheeling - and as you saw in the video, the freewheeling gives you most of the distance.
1donagin 4 months ago
@1donagin thank you so much your video helped alot :)
PremierBeyProd 4 months ago
cool for my mousetrap car project at school the teacher tells us that it needs to go 5m to pass
MsGdfh 4 months ago
is there a website for these instructions? where i can print them out or something? i already watched the other video but i don't remember hearing where they are
mk7to 4 months ago
what's better to use?
a small mouse trap or a regular sized mouse trap ?
RenDRav 4 months ago
AND FREEWHEELING!
JesusisSavior97 4 months ago
we did this at our school last year. I help a lot of people build their car, i found out that if you use plastic axles and straws theirs less friction. In addition you can take the graphite from your pencils, crush it up and cover both axles and straws which will further more reduce friction
realLifemike18 5 months ago
This is one place where weight is needed. If you get too light, the trap will just spin around the axle, and the "car" will go nowhere.
1donagin 5 months ago
@1donagin Otherwise you could have a stopper of sorts to prevent it from swinging. I nailed a piece of plastic trim about a centimeter longer than the radius of the LP to the block with a felt piece attached to the end of the plastic. Once the axle spins enough, the stopper is lifted and it keeps rolling like normal. It doesn't affect distance much as it doesn't add enough friction (as the mousetrap isn't heavy enough).
Kittens71896 4 months ago
why'd you use hardwood (aka heavier wood)? you shouldve used pine or something like that, that is a lot lighter
stealth39loser 5 months ago
Can i have the detailed plans please
papasmurfmikey3 5 months ago
@papasmurfmikey3 - Please view "Simple Mouse Trap Powered Car - Construction Details" in the video responses sections for info on how to get the plans.
1donagin 5 months ago
So what reduces the didstance it the wheels? How would I get the same results using four wheels?
vampiricme98789 5 months ago
@vampiricme98789 - double the friction. The energy from the mouse trap goes into two things - moving the car, and friction.
1donagin 5 months ago
r u really a physics teacher???
Killeratwar123 5 months ago
@Killeratwar123 - BS Physics ED Illinois State University 1995. I'm the genuine article!
1donagin 5 months ago 2
@1donagin U got one thing right........BS!
FourDollaRacing 3 months ago
so can you tell me the information that will allow me to calculate the amount of horsepower the little speed racer has? Hopefully whith what you have taught lately i can solve the horsepower and maybe get soem extra credit in class yeah?
TheMessengerMalichi 6 months ago
@TheMessengerMalichi - 1 horsepower is equal to 550 ft.lbs per second, or 746 watts. Using the English system, you would need to calculate the average amount of force to pull back the hammer in lbs (estimated by the force it pulls on a fishing scale at half pulled), and then the distance the end of the hammer moves all together, in feet. Multiply the two to get foot pounds, and divide by the time to unwind the trap in seconds. This will be your horsepower, and it will be very tiny!
1donagin 6 months ago
Comment removed
TheMessengerMalichi 6 months ago
loved ur video but does it matter if i use a smaller disc
Killeratwar123 6 months ago
@Killeratwar123 - no, except that your trap will drag.
1donagin 6 months ago
Im only watching this cause i need to make one!
cutiegirl5811 6 months ago
I Feel like im in school....
DanceUrHeartOutt 6 months ago
@DanceUrHeartOutt - Our classes start Monday... ;-)
1donagin 6 months ago
@deerhunter7194
haha at least NERDS can spell dumbass...
xxXG4M3RB0YXxx 7 months ago
Comment removed
Digijedi569 7 months ago
Comment removed
Digijedi569 7 months ago
haha its funny because you are a dumbass
Digijedi569 7 months ago
@Digijedi569 says the dumbass in the first place dickweed
xxXG4M3RB0YXxx 6 months ago
@xxXG4M3RB0YXxx its even funnier how you are calling yourself a dumbass
Digijedi569 6 months ago
can someone tell me the material that i need to create this car
txfinest2k7 8 months ago
neird
deerhunter7194 8 months ago
How do I increase the speed of the car? I want it to go approximate 6 - 7 m in about 3 seconds. Also if I substitute the records for CDs (Compact Discs) would that affect anything?
3N4CH05 9 months ago
This is my science project, I`ve got a month to do it
ArmourHalloween 9 months ago
@ArmourHalloween me 2
Mrblackguy516 9 months ago
@Mrblackguy516 same here
nsn4life1297 9 months ago
Would it be alright if the brazing rod was 1/4 in diameter? When I tried my car out, it only went about 15 ft...
AudibleWhispers 9 months ago
this car is epic. we just had to make these for science and mine went 38 feet. the longest went 92
AnimeArkansan01 9 months ago
using a soldering iron to melt/cut the records into just wheel frames, helps to reduce your rotational mass.
skuuubasteve14 9 months ago
@skuuubasteve14 - Thanks for the tip. If you do, try to keep the wheels well balanced. An out of balance wheel will cost distance.
1donagin 9 months ago
do you have any tips on steering mine pulled to the right???? please help
ther3dn3ck1 10 months ago
@ther3dn3ck1 - Good question. If it pulls one way or the other, your records aren't quite the same sized. The easiest solution is to swap out one of the records...
1donagin 10 months ago
how do u make it stop at a certain distance, perferably 6m?
ujusgotownd 10 months ago
@ujusgotownd - perhaps you could attach another string to the axle, and make it tighten while the first one loosens. Roll it 6 meters, and then attach the string...
1donagin 10 months ago
I am a bit baffled as to how this works. It was always my impression that a longer lever arm would propel the car for a longer distance before letting the car free-roll. But here, you use only a lever arm the length provided by the mousetrap itself. And why are two wheels better than three or four? Doesn't this make the car less stable?
Can you help me understand this better?
Also would it be generally the same if I were to use embroidery hoops instead of LP records? I believe they're lighter.
PengaMangoMango 10 months ago
i have to make a moustrap car for a competition in my district, and the rules are, no modification, and no kits ( so that means i cant buy it from the website). i know how to get everything. but theres one problem i cant find anyplace that sells 33 rpm lp records can someone pleeeaaase help!!!
underamour96 10 months ago
my school is doing this and i want some tips or tricks
mrgameninja100 10 months ago
@mrgameninja100 - might I suggest a 4 minute and 5 second video I did for youtube entitled "Simple Mousetrap Car Goes 138 Feet?" You could also view another an 8 minute and 52 second video entitled "Simple Mouse Trap Powered Car - Construction Details." Together, they pretty much give all the tips that you should need.
1donagin 10 months ago
i have no clueee how to do the string parttt! -____-
emandgaby 11 months ago
@emandgaby - Did you read the part about "Please view my video response to see how to actually build the car?"
1donagin 11 months ago
what are the screws for that are on the bottom
jamrev 11 months ago
@jamrev to hold the mousetrap onto the wood
underamour96 10 months ago
Great car
cpett015 11 months ago
That's nothing. We have wind here that will blow our trash can lid 300 yards on any given day.
handmetheclip 11 months ago
Too bad my project demands at least 3 wheels! T_T
Lawlite26 11 months ago
@ 3:05 and freewheeling and freewheeling and freewheeling...
Super79CamaroZ28 11 months ago
Where are the directions?
chelseaxox5 11 months ago
With a lot of work (finding parts and stuff) and a lot of stress, I finally tested this out today for my physics project. I got the highest distance score of 146 tiles (1 tile=9 inches) and overall was worth it. Nobody beat me in distance, and I had a lockjaw smile for a very long time :) Thanks!
dannyyang78 1 year ago
you should send me that car, it would give me an A++ for my science grade :D
Xenocide007 1 year ago
could i use cds as wheels instead of records ???
russ531995 1 year ago
@russ531995 - only if you want the mousetrap to drag.
fandediscussions 1 year ago
what a tool
JayWilliamThompson 1 year ago
1/16 inch hole!
gnrkenny 1 year ago
@gnrkenny your mom
Super79CamaroZ28 11 months ago
hey can you please email me step by step hw to biuld this and the tools i need?
my email is slickityslick13@yahoo.com
please help
Slickityslick13 1 year ago
@Slickityslick13 - Please see the video response where I do just that.
fandediscussions 1 year ago
I understand that part where would you find a kit or the accesiories to help build a mouse trap car i have the mouse trap, and string but thats it and it due next week. My Physical Sience teacher is not really helping out on what store to go to.
goodlovinkia 1 year ago
Could rubber wheels help or you have to use disc for the mouse trap car
goodlovinkia 1 year ago
@goodlovinkia - Good Question. Rubber wheels are actually designed to increase friction, and they are only helpful if you have issues with slipping (acceleration and braking). They would be quite bad for this car. This is why a train with steel wheels can move goods about 50 to 100 times cheaper by the pound than a truck with rubber tires can.
1donagin 1 year ago
2:40
1eaglesfan2007 1 year ago
gotta do this for school and most cars don't have the freewheeling part. thanks for the tip, let's hope It'll be an advantage.
Maaarteh 1 year ago
and free wheeling, and free wheeling AND FREE WHEELING .
HAHAHAHA
rangeless 1 year ago
I just made this and i am having a problem. When i release the mouse trap all that happens is the mouse trap spins around the axle and does not pull the axle to make it move forward. Do you know a solution to this problem?
Dbakes93 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
my car will not move when it snaps. i think the mouse trap moves to fast. is there any way i can make it slower? if not, what do i do?
romanlegend2 1 year ago
my car will not move when it snaps. i think the mouse trap moves to fast. is there any way i can make it slower?
romanlegend2 1 year ago
if you used an elastic cord or rubber band you could increase the distance and speed all you'd have to do is wind up the rubber band with out letting the mouse trap go back till the rubber band is taught then wind it some more as you pull back the snap part
TheBuzzShot 1 year ago
@TheBuzzShot - most judges would bust you for it, but you can always try. If you do, make sure that your elastic has about the same strength as the trap - probably just a little bit less would be best. That way, the trap would unwind first, and then the elastic cord would have its full length to unwind.
-Don
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin oh, I didn't think about the judge. I might not want to risk it
TheBuzzShot 1 year ago
thank you very helpful
sparcy1216 1 year ago
how long was the string? i need to know plz.
ashleigh2575 1 year ago
@ashleigh2575 - Make the car, and stretch the string from the mousetrap in its UNSET position, and through the hole in the axle. Cut the string off exactly at the axle.
1donagin 1 year ago
This was really helpful, I think I'll the only one with 2 wheels in my class now xD
Thank you c:
artificialexistence 1 year ago 2
how was does the car go? how fast does it complete a meter?
101snowflakes101 1 year ago
@101snowflakes101 - there are about 3 squares on the floor for each meter. (The squares are 1 foot each.)
1donagin 1 year ago
What purpose do the two screws in the block of wood serve? Also, is the block of wood vital to the function? I’m having trouble seeing the necessity.
OpulentRedrum 1 year ago
@OpulentRedrum - the block of wood is needed for weight, and helps to mount the bushings. The two screws are set screws for the bushings. You can omit the bushings, but it won't go as far. You can take apart old hard drives and get little ball bearings and go much farther!
1donagin 1 year ago
Comment removed
OpulentRedrum 1 year ago
Fake
patentcafe 1 year ago
omg i have a project same thing,, i need the tools u put in that car plz tell me
blazeboy44 1 year ago
we made your mouse trap car for a project and the mouse trap just flips. it doesnt make the car go foward it just spins around and around the axle.
01VIDKID10 1 year ago
@01VIDKID10 - the simplest fix is to add weight to the mousetrap. The better solution is to put a narrower axle into place.
1donagin 1 year ago
Will this design work with regular CDs? How did you make the brazing rod connect with the CDs? How long is the fishing line and how exactly is it tied? And how did you set off the car to go?
Sorry but I have to make one in under a week and this seems like a simple design but I really need help on making this
ilsexmejia 1 year ago
Will this design work with regular CDs? How did you make the brazing rod connect with the CDs? How long is the fishing line and how exactly is it tied?
Sorry but I have to make one in under a week and this seems like a simple design but I really need help on making this
ilsexmejia 1 year ago
hay how long is the fishing line
hernandeznm 1 year ago
How did you thread the brazing rod? Do they come pre-threaded? Or is there an alternative that could work for the axel?
BreakinYourMind 1 year ago
@BreakinYourMind - you need to buy or borrow a threader. They run about $15 at Lowes/Home Depot/Menards for a small set. If you have any mechanics for friends, they probably have one. A lot of school shop programs (if your school still has one) will have one also.
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin wud it work with a double sided bolt?
bubub56 1 year ago
@bubub56 - if you can find a long enough one. Let us know.
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin Thank you soooooo much for your help, you saved my physics grade! It went 17 meters before hiting the tape measurer, and probably would've gone another 10 or 15. Thanks again.
BreakinYourMind 1 year ago
@BreakinYourMind - your welcome. Feel free to post a response video!
1donagin 1 year ago
Got any recommendations besides LP records? the rules at my school is that you cant use lp's sooo any ideas? plus no cd's or plexiglass.
MrGamefreak1997 1 year ago
@MrGamefreak1997 - Ice cream bucket lids? Heavy plastic cookie plates? Basically, the harder and the narrower, the less friction. The larger diameter, the better. Our local walmart has bunches of clearance christmas plates for a quarter a piece...
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin Well we decided to use 5 gallon bucket lids and they work great! the only problem we had with this car was our drill died drilling the hole for the axle. Thanks for the info!
MrGamefreak1997 1 year ago
@MrGamefreak1997 - Let us know how far you get. If you can, post a quick vid!
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin No problem!
MrGamefreak1997 1 year ago
Do you have a working drawering or any plans for that i think i am going to use that design for my mouse trap car for my mechanics class if you dont mind
chriserater 1 year ago
Cool! I need to do one for school too and hopefully this will help!
RichS33 1 year ago
we're making a car too but the mousetrap keeps snapping too fast...and the axels don't make the wheels spin at all.
how do we make the mousetrap release slower?
our mousetrap is similar to yours but we used foam boards for wheels and the body instead of records and wood. our axels are wooden dowels. where are we going wrong? or is everything wrong? D:
013angels 1 year ago
@013angels - you need to have something that connects the wooden dowels to the wheels. A lot of hot melt glue might work. YOu might have to put weights on the trap when you are done. But it doesn't sound like you are doing everything wrong!
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin - thanks! we've attached the wheels with hot glue and the mousetrap car is now moving. however, the mousetrap is snapping back too quickly so our car doesn't cover much distance. how can we fix this?
013angels 1 year ago
can you tell how to wind up the car?
and does the rod ever spin? and if, so when does it?
letgoofmywaffle 1 year ago
By the way, that's a rat trap-much stronger and more powerful than a mouse trap.
THEUNKNOWNUSERNAME00 1 year ago
@THEUNKNOWNUSERNAME00 - "By the way, that's a rat trap-much stronger and more powerful than a mouse trap."
Actually, it isn't. If you try to hang a rat trap from an LOP record, it'll scrape bottom. That being said, you could use a rat trap and bike wheels to do the same thing...
1donagin 1 year ago
Will it be ok if we use normal DVD sized CDs instead of the records?
umairasajjad 1 year ago
@umairasajjad - you can, but if you do, you will need to add front wheels - because the mousetrap will drag on the ground instead. Also, the gear ratio will be significantly lower, which is why most people who do this also put an extension arm onto the mousetrap.
1donagin 1 year ago
Comment removed
umairasajjad 1 year ago
shiiiiitttttttttttttt this car blows and you are a fairy
kblade95 1 year ago
you sound like alan from the hangover
BL9612 1 year ago
what did you use to have the cd records stay in place?
animodeoh 1 year ago
@animodeoh he used washers and nuts i think...but I just hot glued themmm
IceLife1023 1 year ago
The harder and flatter the better.
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID
DesiDito 1 year ago
does it matter on what type of surface the car runs on?
kloserpjs 1 year ago
What are the two screws on the bottom for?
SarahShinnn 1 year ago
so is the rod that you use fully threaded? ..... or just on the ends?
ThAtReAlTaLlGuY 1 year ago
@ThAtReAlTaLlGuY - just the ends.
1donagin 1 year ago
cheater, used gravitational energy by starting the trap in a position other than vertical... Distance would have been half or less.
mschettler2000 1 year ago
@mschettler2000 - yes and no - I deliberately lifted the trap as far as possible, but if you count the total number of winds (.5 x pi x the length of the string) you will find this only added about 5% to the total amount of energy. Check your rules - use whatever you can to get ahead!
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin - don't forget you are increasing the rate of acceleration by doing this as well, achieving a higher velocity, and thus, increasing momentum. I'd estimate a 500-700% increase in energy due to this, seeing how under its own power it'd likely travel approx. 20-30 ft. (the rocking of the trap further reduces travel) This all should be able to be proved out by finding the total energy stored in the tension spring and calculating the max distance a certain mass would be able to travel.
mschettler2000 1 year ago
@mschettler2000 - Sorry, but that isn't so. PE=mgh for the trap, and 1/2kx^2 for the trap. There is no magical difference between the two, as a Joule is a Joule is a Joule, and the energy in the trap/spring combo goes into KE as in KE=1/2mv^2. Baring frictional losses, the transformation is complete. There is no difference between my lifting the trap at the beginning, and the spring lifting the trap as the car travels.
1donagin 1 year ago
@1donagin - High School level Physics does not work in real world applications.
mschettler2000 1 year ago
@mschettler2000 - As a University Educated Physicist and a Federally Certified mechanic, I can assure you that High School level Physics - when understand with its limitations - does work in the real world. Often there are assumptions that are built into the equations - such as linear acceleration, no air resistance, etc. A good teacher will always ensure His or Her students understand these limitations. There are very few of us, and most HS Physics teachers do not hold degrees in their area.
fandediscussions 1 year ago