Pinewood Derby Q&A

How do you make a rubber band car?!?

Hi, I have to make a rubber band car for my physics class but there are certain rules... - I may not propel the car in a slingshot fashion - My car must have at least 3 wheels - Only hpusehold items, not for the purpose for which you use them can be used - Looks count, so I have to make it as attractive as possible so I don't loose points. - No mousetraps are allowed - No propellers, sails, or balloons are allowed - No records, Cd's, or Dvd's are allowed - No lego's tinkerytoys, construx (etc.) or pinewood derby materials are allowed -No coffee cans or similar structures are allowed, (Including Soup, soda, and tuna cans.) Ok, now this has to be done by January 15, lots of time, but the sketch for what it's going to look like and how I'm going to make it is due tomorrow! AND I DON'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THIS WORK! So, please, if you have any brilliant ideas or advice, tell me.

Public Comments

1. Two wheels in the back Two wheels in front Mousetrap in center of body, attach large stick to act as a lever. At end of stick tie rubber band to it and connect it in the middle of the two back wheels. Wind back wheels with rubber band so mouse trap is in full tension. Release Thats your basic design. You can probably figure out a way to support the mouse trap between the wheels. Decorate it as you see fit.
2. You could try using a basket for the body. The wicker type small bread basket. Wooden drink coasters for the wheels, with a wide rubber band around the perimeter for traction. Use the plastic sticks that open and close window blinds for axles, and drill holes in the coasters and hot glue them to the axles. Of course, you need to make holes in the basket for the axles, and install them before attaching the wheels. You could use an empty thread spool and slide it onto the axle inside the basket, and hot glue it to the axle once the wheels are attached. This will make a place to wrap the rubber band around. Affix an eye bolt, the type that you hang plants from the ceiling with, to the inner front of the basket. Get a long wide rubber band, the kind used to bundle large reams of paper, cut it so it is a straight piece, and tie it to the eye in the front. Then all you have to do is wrap the band around the spool, and wind it up tight by turning the wheels backwards. When you release the wheels, the basket will go forward, and keep going when the rubber band comes off the spool. You could put the lid on the basket, or even a small light plastic plant in the basket, for appearance sake. It would look just like a planter basket with wooden wheels, if you turn the coasters with the cork side in. Might actually look pretty cool...and would weigh hardly anything. The basket that gave me the idea ( it is on top of the cabinets in my kitchen ) is about 12" by 7-1/2", and would be about right for this design to allow for enough rubber band windup. A few thoughts, and good luck!!