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Robot Racer

Robot Racer

Hi, Welcome to my instructable !

In this instructable i will show you how to build a Robot Racer !

The robot racer is a fast, fun, easy-to-build elastic band car.

The car uses recycled tubes, bottle tops and even recycled elastic bands.

If you skim through this instructable and like it, it is entered in the Klutz Competition and i really need your vote !!
Thanks and i hope you enjoy the instructable !

 
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Step 1Materials and Tools

Materials and Tools
Materials :
  • 1 Cardboard tube
  • 1 Elastic band
  • 4 Bottle Tops
  • 1 Kebab/Barbecue skewer

Tools :
  • Craft knife / Scissors
  • Dremel (only if tube is really thick)
  • Glue Gun
  • Ruler

BE GREEN !
The tube can be a recycled toilet roll tube, my tube originally held a roll of kitchen foil

Post-Men drop elastic bands all the time when their doing their rounds, have a look on the pavement/sidewalk when you next go out

The bottle tops need to be larger than the tube so look on milk bottles or cleaning products !

I got my kebab skewer from my kitchen but any thin rod will do !
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151 comments
1-40 of 151next »
Jul 22, 2011. 2:43 AMmarsadmarsad says:
hey it's really good ..... i tried it ....... working well
Jun 18, 2011. 8:14 AMmmorris5 says:
it good
May 11, 2011. 2:39 AMpremaldesai says:
I agree, I could not understand the rubberband mechanism as well. It, didnt work for me at all...
Apr 8, 2011. 6:56 PMsk8r kid 7 says:
Will you please make a video dont understand.
Apr 8, 2011. 2:10 PMsk8r kid 7 says:
I don't understand what you mean at the end part on the rubber band mechanism.Nice video though!
Apr 5, 2011. 7:27 PMJB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! says:
Can someone please explain in DETAIL how to hook the rubber band to the axel, been trying for a while with no luck.

very much appreciate your help!
Apr 3, 2011. 12:47 AMagarwal says:
i like your car and now im playing with that so please give some mor ideas to me as im in a project of making a future magnetic car
Jan 25, 2011. 7:37 AMwill0w222 says:
or you could add a motor lol jk rofl
Nov 29, 2010. 5:11 PMpie lover says:
FYI!! It is Four not for
Nov 8, 2010. 8:37 PMsoggymushrooms says:
What do you mean by "hook it around the axle"? Plz help!
Oct 25, 2010. 6:57 AMMichaelgoode says:
Awesome, would it work if i added 2 or more elastic bands to the drive mechanism
Sep 8, 2010. 11:57 PMwat. says:
Good! I liked it!
Sep 8, 2010. 5:58 AMleo111 says:
THX!
I will try it with my boy
Jan 10, 2010. 2:07 AMhellking says:
what is cardboard tube?can you show me?
Jul 27, 2010. 2:53 PMdudejetfighter says:
the cardboard tube when you finish a toilet paper roll, or paper towel roll, or gift wrap
Jan 6, 2010. 4:26 PMRobotech112 says:
You could also add more wait to the back for better traction
Sep 17, 2009. 10:51 PMhenry0045 says:
how will this thing work???
Oct 7, 2009. 6:44 PMitsthatsguy says:
The rubber band, it works off of elastic energy, when the car is pulled back (or the wheels spun in reverse) The rubber band that was added in step 9 is fixed in plase, the rubber band wraps around the rear axel which causes tension, when the wheel is released (you let it go) the rubebr band pulls backward unwraping the rubber band which causes the wheel to spin.
Oct 18, 2009. 10:19 PMmehrnaz says:
Im still unsure how this works. Is the rubberband tied to the back axle? is it twisted in anyway. Ive just tied the rubberband like a loop around the back axle and the front stick(thats protruding from the body of the vehicle,(and it doesn't seem to work. PLEASE HELP
please be as descriptive as you can in the instructions
thanks!
Oct 18, 2009. 3:29 PMM4industries says:
What camera/editing software do you use? it looks like HD
Oct 17, 2009. 7:52 PMalmcgo says:
please comment cuz i find that most of the comments i leave dont get replied to. ^hurry^ ^please^ ^LOL^
Oct 17, 2009. 7:50 PMalmcgo says:
hey do u cut the rubber band bfore u put it on???i will do this instructible as soon as i can.^^cuz^^ ^^its^^ ^^awesome^^ ^^!^
Sep 29, 2009. 4:26 PMGianniMora says:
could i use the tubing from paper towels
Aug 25, 2009. 3:15 PMwilt360 says:
this really cool im gonna make a lamborghini
Aug 22, 2009. 10:54 AMDungMachine says:
this is freaken awesome!!!
Aug 21, 2009. 9:14 PMOBar says:
That's a nifty little toy! Maybe even put a model rocket motor in the aft end, use a long screw through the body about 1 1/2" from the end to keep it from just shooting through the body...Just an idea.
Aug 21, 2009. 8:36 PMDungMachine says:
Super.
Aug 21, 2009. 8:33 PMDungMachine says:
this is really really cool.
Aug 12, 2009. 3:47 AMi.am.up.in.air says:
So simple and so cute...thanx
Jul 10, 2009. 11:25 AMHeywasup says:
I made one( not as good as yours) but mine is black with red flames wheels are a bit uneven and im workin on the rubber band part!
Jul 9, 2009. 5:32 PMarhillbilly says:
Hi, It would be really helpful to have a good closeup of the rubber band attachment mechanism on the drive axle. Great instructable!
Jun 28, 2009. 1:25 AMhanjx says:
i like it (: haha i got d and t project and i need to find three different kind of cars!!! wth -.- but you helped me with one thanks a lot dude (:
Apr 19, 2009. 9:39 AMplayahboy says:
awww it looked sooo good
Jun 28, 2009. 1:06 AMhanjx says:
lol he meant his english is lousy =X lol jkjk
May 15, 2009. 5:21 PMfinnrambo says:
I'm glad you won this thing is FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 22, 2009. 6:54 PMfinnrambo says:
a litte bit late I posted like a month ago
Jun 17, 2009. 5:43 PMFrozenStar says:
Very nice! At first glance i thought it was a firework xD Have you tried making a compressed air powered car? They go fast :D
1-40 of 151next »

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I make lots of different instructables, I make stuff i need or want, then show you ! ............................................See my profile for further awesomeness :) ..............................
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