Mousetrap Vehicle C

[Kokonilly]

Uh, you could wrap the axle in tape

I hate to admit it, but that's exactly what I did.
It's pretty good though-- consistent, removable, and adjustable so that you use exactly the right amount of string.

Anyone have a brake idea that doesn't involve a wing nut? Lego axles don't work too well with them.

My vehicle is made of Legos, and a threaded rod fits neatly in the holed bricks.

[winneratlife]

Uh, you could wrap the axle in tape

I hate to admit it, but that's exactly what I did.
It's pretty good though-- consistent, removable, and adjustable so that you use exactly the right amount of string.

Anyone have a brake idea that doesn't involve a wing nut? Lego axles don't work too well with them.

My vehicle is made of Legos, and a threaded rod fits neatly in the holed bricks.

Yeah, I use lego pieces just to hold the axles.

Brake idea: Mousetrap Vehicle Wiki, 3rd design

[franklinknights]

[/quote]

Yeah, I use lego pieces just to hold the axles.

Brake idea: Mousetrap Vehicle Wiki, 3rd design[/quote]

i use fender washers to hold the axel

[illusionist]

Mhmm, the holes in lego pieces work very well with 3/32 axles( i'm not sure about the size). I used them for Battery Buggy last year. This year, i'm using aluminum tubing to hold the axles, although i'll probably switch back to the lego pieces. They look something like this: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3700

[bwy]

Mhmm, the holes in lego pieces work very well with 3/32 axles( i'm not sure about the size). I used them for Battery Buggy last year. This year, i'm using aluminum tubing to hold the axles, although i'll probably switch back to the lego pieces. They look something like this: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3700

I found that metal holes and the plastic lego axles worked best.

[illusionist]

Maybe, but the easiest, and probably most reliable, method of braking in this kind of event would be the wing-nut and threaded rod system. The Lego axles restrict you from using this method, but you might be able to think of something better!

[illusionist]

Wow, the wrapping tape around the axle idea worked remarkably well!! I'm now getting times around 10 seconds! Thanks to those who helped.

[bwy]

That's awesome. Do any of you guys use sighting devices? I have no idea how they work or if they're useful but I really need to improve my distance score...

[Paradox21]

That's awesome. Do any of you guys use sighting devices? I have no idea how they work or if they're useful but I really need to improve my distance score...

I use a modification of a sighting system I used for Electric Vehicle 2 years ago. It's just a rifle scope that points at a target. Not too difficult, but it takes a while to figure out the best way to do it.

[illusionist]

That's awesome. Do any of you guys use sighting devices? I have no idea how they work or if they're useful but I really need to improve my distance score...

First, take a look through the Electric Vehicle and Battery Buggy image galleries. You will find a lot of good designs. For battery buggy last year, I used a little scope from the side of a telescope. It had the crosshairs, which made it easy to align. At the center of the finish line, I placed a skinny pink marker so it was easier to see. The rifle scope might work even better, same concept. Another, and simpler, idea would be to place a wooden dowel along the axis of your vehicle (one end at the front, and one at the back). The dowel could be placed attached above the vehicle for easier alignment.