Mouse Car: Son of Rat Racer

thingiverse

Print some accessories to to attach to a mousetrap and turn it into a spring-loaded car! Note that although the car assembled and the mechanism works, the spring mechanism provies way too much torque. The wheels spin too fast and end up slipping in place. Eventually, it slows down enough to move a foot or two. Much more detailed information is available on this blog post: http://netninja.com/2013/11/04/son-of-ratracer-mouse-car/ Download mousecar-src.zip for the OpenSCAD source for all three components. Instructions Print two end caps, two axles, and two pairs of wheels. You will have to provide your own mousetrap. This is sized to the Victor brand mousetrap. Alter the OpenSCAD source files if yours has other dimensions. Use pliers to remove the "cheese platform" trigger and retaining bar from the base. You should just have the spring-loaded U bar remaining. Attach the end caps. Push an axle through each end cap. Attach the wheels Tie a string to the rat trap's U-bar Pull back the U-bar and, while carefully holding it down and not releasing it onto your fingers, thread the string through the hole in the axle. Wind it around the axle. Put the car on the floor. Quickly release the snappy part. In theory, the string is pulled, spinning the axle and wheels, making the car go.