How to make rubber band power propeller car

In this project, we will learn how to make a rubber power propeller car using basic techniques. This project is great for a makerspace or mechanical engineering challenge at school, library or home.

Once you learn the basics, you can experiment with different body styles and designs to make your car go faster.  You can also set up a competition between friends to see who can build the fastest rubber power propeller car.  Make STEAM education fun!

Materials Needed

The good thing about this project is that you can get most of your “car” parts from the trash.  You can use recycle bottles, ice cream sticks and many trash items to create the body of your propeller car.  Get creative!

For this project, you will also need the following materials:

• Bottle caps
• Straws
• Ice cream sticks
• Kabab sticks
• Paper clips
• Beads
• Disposable cup
• Rubber bands

Required tools:

• Glue gun
• Soldering iron
• Knife cutter
• Scissor

 

Step 1: Car Body

First you have to join the ice cream sticks with each other as shown in figure to make car base

Attach the ice cream stick with the base of the car in vertical direction

Then join two ice cream with each other.

join these stick two ice cream sticks with the body of the car as shown in figure blow

Step 2: Propeller Making

Cut the two fins from the disposable cup with the help of scissor. Make sure the length of both fins are equal

Attach both the fins on the ice cream stick with the help of electric tape

Step 3: Hook Making

Take a paper clip and open it to make straight. Bend the upper part of paper clip 90® with the help of nose plier

Step 4: Hook Making

Make a hook at the end of the paper clip with the help of nose plier

Step 5: Propeller Attachment

Attach the propeller on the body of a car in the tilted direction as shown in figure

Step 6: Attach the Axle:

Cut two straws and glue them to the bottom of the car body.  Make sure the straws are wider than the base which will help keep the wheels from contacting the car body.

Step 7: Mount the Wheel

Now it’s time to mount the wheels on the axle of the propeller car.  If the cap is a little loose, you will need to add hot glue to the middle. Make sure the wheels are kept as straight as possible while the glue is hardening.

Step 8: Rubber Band Attachment

Now attach the one end of the rubber band with the hook of the propeller and the other with the base of a car.

Step 9: Testing

Now your rubber band power car is ready. You can test it on a smooth plane surface