Mouse Trap car

Step 9 Front wheels

Wrap a balloon around the pen you just put in, trying to fold it so that it's somewhat wedge-like toward the edge of the pen. Gently rotate one of the CDs without balloons on them onto it in the same direction you wrapped the balloon, wedging it on the pen. Attempt to get it to point fairly straight and not wobbly in relation to the trap. Repeat for the other end of the pen.

Comments

[ablossom]

I can't figure out how to make the "wedge" shape with the balloon. How exactly do you wrap it? Mine is always sloppy and the wheels always slant when in motion.

[xjulian1]

THIS CAR DOES NOT WORK. you can modify the car and still use the basic design.

[hanabo43]

This car doesnt work. i have used different wheels because the cds werent stable i used yarn and twine and string and rubberbands and every single one has broken. i also tried doing it gentler and the car doesnt go more than six inches. i wasted a whole sunday afternoon and came out with no success..just bloody sticky fingers. Do you have any string ideas that are strong? and do the back wheels also have the pop tabs on them cause i think that is part of my problem?

[LarrySDonald]

Not sure about breaking string, I haven't tried a wide variety but the only thing that broke on this one was when it frayed up from getting caught in the spring. Since the string is pulling at the center of the back pen, it pulls it (slightly) toward centering it if it slides to one side or the other when running. This was enough in this case, but by all means if keeping the back axle stable helps go for it.

[crazycreeper69]

what kind of string would you use for this?

[LarrySDonald]

Probably about anything. I used sewing thread (twisted together into a 10-15 strand of sewing thread twine) but that's certainly far from optimal, I just used it because I decided to not use stuff not already on my desk and I had some laying around. Any fairly thin but strong enough thread should do.

[paige1111]

we tried this and the mouse cars keep breaking because when we put the cup hook in the trap the wood slips, then we tried the balloon and well when we tried to put the cd open it ( that is what we are using like normal) the cd when on just fine but its causing friction on the front wheels and is making it slower...... I hate seventh grade science projects!

[hellonerd]

I RULEEEE

[JLalk]

"somewhat wedge-like toward the edge of the pen" what does that even mean?

[LarrySDonald]

Means "You'd want the outer edge to be a bit thinner then the middle, that way it'll easily slide into the CD hole, yet as it goes further up the balloon it'll stick and hold it with the thicker part". Googeling "wedge" might help.

[CLions2011]

Could you use washers also to keep the CD's (wheels) in place?

[balloon123]

Yeah you could use washers

[LarrySDonald]

Perhaps. Really anything that will attach to both the axle and the CD should work fine. Non-flexible things would be a bit harder since they won't attach by sheer compression/friction, but could certainly be used.

[Ninjustin]

I dont get this step...