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How to String a Mouse Trap Car

Mouse trap cars are made out of old-fashioned spring loaded mouse traps with wooden bases. The base of the mouse trap is placed onto the main body of the homemade car. A string is attached to the spring loaded arm of the mouse trap and then wound up on back axle of the car. When the arm is released, the tension created by the spring pulls on the string, which turns the axle and provides propulsion for the vehicle.

Things You'll Need

Mouse trap car
String
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Tie the string to the mouse trap's lever "arm" by making a tight square knot. Make a loop knot at the other end of the string. Slip the loop knot over the catch hook that has been glued onto the back or drive axle of the mouse trap car. If your mouse trap car does not have a catch hook, tie the end of the string to the axle and secure it with a square knot.
- 2
  Carefully arm the mouse trap.
- 3
  Wind the string onto the back axle by turning the wheels backwards, or in the opposite direction that the car is intended to go. If you are confused as to which way it is supposed to go, look at the mouse trap and turn the wheels toward the end of the car where the lever arm sits when it is armed. Be sure to wind the string snugly against the axle or it will snag and the car will not go.
- 4
  Once the string has been tightly wound around the axle, place the car on a flat, hard surface and trigger the trap with a pencil. The spring loaded arm will try to snap back into place, pulling on the string, which makes the axle move the wheels. The car will propel itself forward until it runs out of string.

Wooden Toys