i'm always seaching for ways to make my things unique. in a world of mass production, this becomes more and more difficult. thank the sweet Lord for instructables. here is how to make a really cheap and easy hood ornament for your car.

it may not make you cooler, but at least you'll be able to spot your car in a parking lot.
. . .presuming no one swipes it
. . .and you backed into the spot
. . .and an suv hasn't parked beside you
look, on second thought, yes! it will make you cooler!

Step 1: Find Magnets

i am always on the look out for magnets. you can find them everywhere:
-hard drives
-motors
-speakers
-toys
-etc.
i've found magnets in the oddest places. they are so utilitarian they largely go unnoticed. either way, the stronger the magnet, the better. rare earth magnets are excellent. you can find small ones at radio snatch or check the web for other deals.

the magnet i'm using in this instructable is just about perfect. it is very strong, has a nice hole through the center and also is countersunk to allow a screwhead to nest in there nicely. better yet, it was free. score!

keep your eyes open. you never know what you'll find.

onward!

Step 2: Find a Fun Hood Ornament

i love to laugh. absurdity is fun. people get so caught up in the humdrum it's hard to extricate themselves and see humor sometimes. if i can get people to laugh just by glancing over at my car, all the better. not to mention the fact that i get a big grin on my face every time i walk up to my car and notice something not quite stock.

anyway, at tractor supply they have these plastic animals and dinosaurs and what not made by this german company. (someone please enlighten me, i threw away the tag.) they are durable and seem to work well. there are many interesting animals to choose from. the type of magnet you are using will generally dictate what is a good candidate. but be creative. i've thought about using all sorts of animals. it doesn't even have to be an animal. it could be a symbol or something quirky. get funky and have fun.

for me, this time, i'm using the mouse.

(i mean 'this time,' because my initial go at this was a chicken. it was fantastic and i miss it greatly. alas, it was stolen. and if i find out who took my chicken. . . anyway, be prepared to lose this and don't spend too much money. the magnet does help keep from destroying your hood when someone decides to be cute, though.)

Step 3: Fun With Dick and Jane

okay, here is where the fun begins. powertools! if you are under the age of eighteen, cool!

drill a hole in the posterior region of your new hood ornament.

with these plastic creatures, this is a no brainer. grab your drill, find a bit that is slightly smaller than your screw and go to town. the plastic will do the rest. wood is about the same but if you're using something wooden, best think about painting it very well. metal is another story. haven't done anything with metal yet, but i would think you'd be getting into machining some interior threads and this takes it out of my range of 'expertise.'

i have used super glue with some encouraging results. depending on the type of metal and/or the weight of the hood ornament (be it metal or otherwise), this could be a viable option. just remember to rough up surfaces before applying any type of adhesive.

Step 4: Screw the Mouse

basically insert the screw threw the magnet into the hole drilled in the rat's a. . . excuse me, the mouse's posterior and give it a few turns.

this is a short step. go to the next one.

Step 5: Even Shorter Step

when the screw is all the way in, you're done.

(see application)

Step 6: Application

stick it on your hood.

i don't know if you are any cooler now than you were, but at least you've got something creative that makes you and others laugh, or expresses a certain dimension of your being.

be creative and please send me pics of your hood ornaments or art cars!