Learning to build a mousetrap car isn’t that hard and it’s quite fun. If you want to give it a try, here is a simple guide you can follow.

Required Tools and Materials

Mousetrap
Pencil
Dowel rods
Scissors
Ruler
Wheels (CDs, plywood etc)
Eye hooks (4 pieces)
String
Drill
Drill bits (5/64)

Prepare the Mousetrap

Install the drill bits on the drill. Make certain the mousetrap isn’t set. Put a mark on the shorter section of the mousetrap (at the shorter end). Illustrate a straight line and put a mark half an inch on both sides.

Drill the holes on these marks. To build a mousetrap car, drill the holes half an inch deep. Drill four holes. Take the eye hooks and install them in the holes. Use screws to set them in place. These are the axle supports.

Connect the Wheels

You can use CDs, DVDs or plywood. For the plywood you just trace an outline on the plywood and cut it with a saw. Make holes in the plywood if needed. Slide the wheels in the right spots. Use glue to keep the wheels in place. Make sure you apply enough glue so the wheels and axles stay connected.

Prepare the String

Cut 10 inches of string. Fasten one end of the string along the
axle. This needs to be the axle nearest the arm trap bar. This bar is the one that springs to action when the trap is set. When you build a mousetrap car, make sure the arm bar isn’t activated. Also make sure you’re on the right side.

Secure the string’s other end on the arm bar. Turn the back axle and start winding the string. Use the ruler to set the trap in motion. This will set the car off.

Using Other Materials

You can use dowels or pencils for the axles. You can also use Lego for the wheels, as well as knex wheels. If you’re using CDs and DVDs, you might want to add rubber or balloons. Slice the balloons into small strips. Wrap this around the CDs to provide some traction control.

The balloons have other uses when you build a mousetrap car. For example, it can be used to fill up the axle. If you use pencils for the axle, there’ll be plenty of space around the CDs’ hole. Use the balloon (or rubber) to fill the space. If you’re using plywood or similar material, use a file to smooth out the edges.

Using Motors

Buy one of those cheap battery powered toy cars. Disassemble it. Take the parts with the wheels and drill the middle part. Put this on the axle. You might have to put the axle through the eye hooks first. Use glue to keep the motor attached to the mouse. Make sure the motor part and the one you attached interlock.

Note: be very careful when using the mousetrap. If you get careless, you might get injured.

The above-mentioned method is one of the easiest ways to build a mousetrap car. You can make several of these and enjoy a bit of racing with the rest of the family.