Simple Mouse Trap Powered Car - Construction Details

[glitzykitten]

I'm in high school and I am making a mousetrap car for physics class. We have to attach a 500 gram mass to the car. I like this design, and I was wondering if you as the creator had any suggestions on how best to attach the mass? Please and thank you!

[1donagin]

@glitzykitten - There are lots of options. If you could center it on a wheel, that would be the absolute best from a physics standpoint, but it would be difficult. I would tend to hang it on the end of the trap/wood block. This will make you trap go farther IF your teach gets by with letting you raise the block up to 90 degrees for starting (which they might or might not do). The only issue with hanging the block is that it will test your bearings.

-Don

[LTCAproductions]

oh hey diddnt see you there i was just spinning this thing

[TheLutherMassacre]

The axle, do I need bushings? for where the axle passes through the chassis or will the straws do that?

[hudik96]

where can i find the instruction paper at 3:11 ?? please respond

[1donagin]

@hudik96 - note comment at 8:50. (I can't give web addresses in comments, as Youtube does not allow this).

[MrKeefuh]

It's going to kill me to do that to a pair of records.

[1donagin]

@MrKeefuh - you could probably find a pair of "music machine" polka dot records. Destroying those is considered a public service. Or you can use big china plates and drill holes with a diamond tipped bit...

[ksjagbas]

What size brazing rods are needed?

[1donagin]

@ksjagbas - 0.125 inches (about 3 mm) in diameter.

[TheEmilyayoub]

what things do i need to buy for this?

i need to make my car on friday!

[RobbieCalefMusic]

I missed the step when he mounted his big toe on his middle finger.

[1donagin]

@RobbieCalefMusic - They actually used to do that surgery - although typically for a thumb and not a middle finger.

[MrMacaronic]

@RobbieCalefMusic You're a jerk.

[2MTP]

is there a particular reason why you do the cut out? does it make the car better? any physic behind it?

[1donagin]

@2MTP - it lets the string pull at a more direct angle on the axle. This gives better torque value and less strain on the string.

[legoindianajones1000]

0:08 ARE THOSE PODRACERS IN THE BACKGROUND????

[LegendofIkbal]

Instead of the tires the mousetrap spins for me. Is there anyway i could fix this?

[1donagin]

@LegendofIkbal - either make the axle smaller, or add weight to the trap.

[LegendofIkbal]

@1donagin Thanks it works perfectly now :)

[MayaPapaya94]

MY MOUSE TRAP CAR WON!!! I finally got this to work and my car went 16 meters before it hit the wall in my schools hallway. I tested it at home and it went 36 meters.

[raulm2020]

I need to make a mousetrap car before monday, but i do not have all those materials, any other suggestions that can help. I need the car to go at least 15 meters.

[realestTruth]

What is the website??

[skbaker1963]

how long is the braising rod after you cut it?

[hyuf32]

does this mousetrap car work if i am trying to get it up a ramp?

[1donagin]

@hyuf32 - depends on how steep the ramp is... It won't go up a very steep ramp at all.

[hyuf32]

@1donagin A 2.54 m ramp?



[1donagin]

@hyuf32 You would either need to know the angle and the distance of the ramp, or the height and the distance of the ramp.

[hyuf32]

@1donagin .221 m- vertical distance horizontal 2.48m

[thejerm109]

Would this work if I used a rat trap instead of a mousetrap? Would it make it go further or loose traction?

[1donagin]

@thejerm109 - Yes, but you will need bigger wheels than LP records, and perhaps a bigger diameter axle. Try Christmas cookie plates...

[MayaPapaya94]

And I thought this was easy... I couldn't find anyone to get a hole through the brazing rod, THANKS A LOT HOME DEPOT, so I tried to wrap the string around the rod, didn't work. Then when I tried to wrap the string like he did by turning the wheel, the nuts just spin off and the wheels get loose. I used a rod that was threaded from the top to the bottom, but that shouldnt be that big of a problem....or should it? SOMEBODY HELP ME!! please :)

[ProjectAlamir]

@MayaPapaya94 Try the slip knot, where the string only gains traction if the axle spins one direction, but does not pull when the axle rotates in the other direction. This would make sure the string still has tension while the mousetrap is tugging on it, but does not entangle the trap in the "cruise" stage of its motion. The hole didn't work out so well for me either.

[MayaPapaya94]

@ProjectAlamir Thanks so much! I finally got someone to get a whole through the rod, but your idea worked too. YOU ROCK!!

[killerfreak982]

so you take off the arm?

[RBForGrenade]

thank you very much :)

[1donagin]

@keanianiani1 - One evening in Tanganyika, I was trying to feed peanuts to an elephant. Unfortunately, some elephants are jealous, and two of them got in a fight. One reached over and tried to snort all the peanuts, but he inadvertently snorted my finger. Since the typical elephant can pull over 200 PSI of vacuum, this was rather painful, and I consider myself lucky to have retained my finger at all.

200 psi vacuum? That isn't even possible. But there is more - tumor!

[ProjectAlamir]

What I don't understand is why doesn't the mousetrap + chassis assembly rotate rather than the wheels? It seems to me that the mousetrap would tend to be flipped around the axle rather than turning the wheels.

[1donagin]

@ProjectAlamir - It would if it was strong enough, but it only has enough strength to pull it a LITTLE off center. That means that the car is unbalanced, and will start to roll forward - which tries to lower the trap. But the trap keeps trying to climb, and the car keeps picking up speed. If you use too large an axle, the trap will just spin.

[ProjectAlamir]

@1donagin I see. I was thinking of a weight saving measure where the axle would be supported by two plates attached directly to side of the mousetrap. I suppose without the wooden base, the assembly would be too light and the trap will spin instead. Perhaps adding a counter-weight on the other end of the mouse trap may achieve the same result with less total mass.

[1donagin]

@ProjectAlamir - You are correct. Ideally, you would put a very light extension on the trap, and it would almost touch the ground. Then, you would put just enough weight on the end to keep it from spinning - as far away from the axle as you could.

[ProjectAlamir]

@1donagin Thanks, I ended up not needing any weight for counterbalancing reasons, as long as the trap is placed almost horizontal to the ground, so the moment generated is just enough to cancel out the axle's rotation. If I placed it lower down, the trap would accelerate in the distance and sort of "overshoot" the horizontal point, causing it to spin around.

[fstball4110]

Why are all physics masters Christian zealots? *rolls eyes*

[1donagin]

@fstball4110 - I wasn't aware that they were! I am a Christian because my studies of the universe have firmly convinced me that it has a designer beyond random chance.

[fstball4110]

@1donagin Ok you believe in god but why Christianity? Why the bible? If this isn't worth your time feel free to ignore me I really don't mind.

[1donagin]

@fstball4110 - Not bad questions, and ones I'd be happy to answer if you were here. But it is rather hard on a 500 character limit! If you really want to discuss it, send me a personal message.

[Marc0s714]

How long do you cut the string?

[TheRealNationalist]

Where can u buy a fender washer from? Home depot?

[1donagin]

@TheRealNationalist - Yup!

[MayaPapaya94]

@TheRealNationalist I got one from Lowes, Home Depot didn't have them

[VJ732]

@1donagin instead of a brazing rod can we use a wooden rod?

[CMW0W]

8:44 for the plans

[CMW0W]

8 ;44 for the plans

[taemint4ever]

I found a victor mouse trap but they are small. How big is my mouse trap supposed to be. I have about 2 inch by 3 inch. Thanks

[1donagin]

@taemint4ever - That is normal sized. Mice aren't very big, either.

[nenew123]

..i thought it was SIMPLE!! liezzzz!!

[mhart9055]

ur finger looks painful

[1donagin]

No - you stick it though the hole, and then you cut it OFF on the other side. ;-)

[donbrooks100]

you stick it through the hole, *giggity* juuuust a little ways.

[crunkdaddy11]

whats a brazing rod...

[Ari9423]

where did you get the insructions to this car that you showed in the video?

[cooldonkeyfish]

I've checked out the website and I can't seem to find any of the drawings/plans for it...

Are they only available for purchase?

[teeniemeenie101]

can u use cd's or will the effect be less , if not how much are old records my dad sed i cant use the ones we have :(

[1donagin]

@teeniemeenie101 - Don't use CD's - they aren't big enough. Large platters might work.

[airforcerotc305]

@1donagin Where is the website, i cant find it on your channel.

[airforcerotc305]

@1donagin Where is the website, i cant find it on your channel.

[teeniemeenie101]

u have a big finger ahaha but amazing mousetrap car im using it in my year 8 assesment

[thevettoor]

Thanks Don, Easy to follow instructions!

[MONSTERMASTER97]

did you smash your finger with a hammer or something looks bad

[1donagin]

@MONSTERMASTER97 - I was fishing off the coast of Arizona when I was stabbed in the neck by a poisonous paddle fish. Unfortunately, I was leaning to the right when it happened, and all the poison flowed down into that finger, which was permanently swollen. BUT, as luck would have it, the paddle fish was delicious!

Actually, its a tumor that I've had since before I was a year old - but other stories are much more fun... I was Skydiving over mount Everest...

[TheTrombone11]

would this be possible with a rat trap instead

[1donagin]

@TheTrombone11 - sure - but you will need bigger circles than records. Round pizza pans?

[chikacheetos101]

what size is your brazing rod?

[Rob42039]

how long is your axel

[xXStarlite88]

thank-you so much for making these videos! would you have any ideas to improve the speed of the car? it would be much appreciated if there could be a reply soon ( in a couple weeks from the end of April) in time for the project deadline!

[Jamifloge]

hi how long is the string? sorry, my internet keeps freezing up and i cant get what you said in the video

[Jonoroxat]

what happened to your finger...if you don't mind me asking?



[1donagin]

@Jonoroxat - I was fishing off the coast of Arizona when I was stabbed in the neck by a poisonous paddle fish. Unfortunately, I was leaning to the right when it happened, and all the poison flowed down into that finger, which was permanently swollen. BUT, as luck would have it, the paddle fish was delicious!

Actually, its a tumor that I've had since before I was a year old. See my other comments...

[V3n0mB1t3]

Hi 1donagin,

I have a question for you, is there a way to use another material for the wheels? Thank you for the video.

[1donagin]

@V3n0mB1t3 - sure. Just think thin, hard, and round. How about plastic plates drilled in the center?

[V3n0mB1t3]

@1donagin Thank you very much!

[SuperMaggiez]

Thanks a million!!! I had to make one for my physics class, and I'm not exactly one of the most engineering-focused people ever, so this helped a TON!!!! :D

[fandediscussions]

@theAMproducts - On my finger? That is my finger! I have what is called "macrodactyl." It was caused by a nuerofibromous tumor destroying the growth center of the finger when was a young child. But I don't let my disability slow me down.

-Don

[loewendic]

I used this setup for my mouse trap car and my car went 155 feet. Amazing plan and I really appreciate all the info.

[1donagin]

@loewendic - congrats, and thanks for the feedback.

[JohnBaptist702]

What size brazing rod should I use?

[JohnBaptist702]

What kind of record should I use?

[redline251]

is that a toe on your hand?

[yiji1997]

could u tell us where you can get that blue print ting u showed us?

THANKS :)

[Slickityslick13]

Look at his middle finger at aroud 4:25

[MrDuclam]

When the car goes the records shake and it goes to the right( after 15 metres) . What can I do to make the car go straight? Why do the records shake during the car drive? What can i do? I screwed everything but it´s still shaking

[MrDuclam]

can you tell me 5 or 6 mods to improve the car?

[1donagin]

@MrDuclam - Search through all the comments on the original video.

[MrDuclam]

I drilled a larger hole in the wood. Is it a problem? How can I solve it?

[1donagin]

@MrDuclam - Turn the block over and start from the other end!

[MrDuclam]

what´s your record?

[Duckiller31]

from where can i get a oak blog

[fandediscussions]

@Duckiller31 - in Germany I have no idea.

[0hKNOW]

does it matter if i don't cut holes in the wood

and do i have to thread the brass tube



[1donagin]

@0hKNOW - You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. You just have to figure out a different way to get the job done.

[humperfier]

what happened to your hand?

[1donagin]

@humperfier - It was a dark and stormy night, and I was fishing for Great Whites off the coast of Norway. Unfortunately, my finger got entangled in the line, and was nearly pulled from its socket. To relieved the stress, I was forced to dive into the icy water. The shark sensed the blood, and closed in for the kill. I tried to climb back in the boat, but it was too late. The shark grabbed my foot, and started pulling on my leg - just like I'm pulling on yours... (A tumor isn't near as exciting.)

[MrDuclam]

If I drill the hole, the drill starting slipping ever. What can I do?

[1donagin]

@MrDuclam - file a tiny flat spot.

[Duckiller31]

how long is the brass tube and i live in germany and there are other sizes. Can you help me??? What is 9/64 in germany and.... Thank you

[Duckiller31]

are there other alternative instead of the straw.... Where do i have to mount the ball bearings?

[1donagin]

@Duckiller31 - You would drill a larger hole instead of the 9/64th inch hole that is drilled through the wood block. The straw is not needed at all - I just added it for fun.

-Don

[Duckiller31]

how can i improve the car???? In the last video you had brass tubes... Can i use brass tubes to improve the car??

[1donagin]

@Duckiller31 - You can use brass tubes and/or you can lubricate the axle with graphite (a dry powder), you can use little bitty ball bearings out of computer hard drives... There are hundreds of small mods you can make.

-Don