How To Make A Great Coaster Car
For People In 7th Grade Tech Ed
When you are making your coaster car there are so many different things to consider that sometimes you can panic. Don't. Here, I'll show you a few tips on how to make your coaster car, the best coaster car.
Design
When designing your coaster car, you have to have a balance between what you think looks cool, and what will give you the most aerodynamic car. Finding that balance is key, because you want to have a car that looks cool and is as fast as a lightning bolt. Once you find your balanced design, move on to the next step.
Tracing your Car on the Block
Once you find your perfect design, get your final draft photo copied and cut out. When you are tracing it on your block be sure that you can see every line clearly. Try to line your car up with the bottom of the block if the bottom of your design is flat, because it will save time.
Cutting the Car Out
As you finish your design and are moving on to the part of the process where you start cutting your car out of the block, be sure to do the following:
1) Always cut a little bit outside the lines. Better to have a little to much on than not enough. You can always take more off.
2) If you don't think you can make a cut then don't risk it. Don't try to do something you can't and ruin your car.
3) Know how you are going to make a cut. If you just rush to the band saw, turn it on and don't think about how exactly you are going to make a cut, you could end up in the middle of a cut and not be able to finish. Be prepared to make relief cuts if needed, and recognize when you need to make them.
4) BE SAFE!!! Always make sure your upper blade guide is set correctly and tightened. Keep your fingers at least 2 inches away from the blade. Better safe then sorry.
Making Extra Pieces
If your car design went into the gray areas in the final drawing, you will have to make extra pieces, that stick off of the main body of the car. When you make your pieces, it is important to be safe on the band saw. Cutting small pieces can be difficult and dangerous. If you don't think you can make a cut then be careful and ask for help. After you are finished cutting out your extra pieces, wait to glue them on to the rest of the car. Sand them down as best you can then wait until you are finished sanding all the other parts of the car as well.
Sanding and Filing Your Car
Once you are finished cutting out all of your pieces, the next step is to sand the car. When you first start sanding, use a lower, rougher grit, then work up to the next after you think you are done with that grit. When you sand, it is important to sand with the grain. So whichever way the lines on the wood go, that is the direction you should be sanding. If you really have to sand against the grit to get a part of your car then that is fine. Also, as you are sanding, if you see a part of your car that you think needs to be rounded, or place you want to take a bit of wood off of, go through and use a file. The file will help shape your car the way you like it. After you are done filing a spot, sand it down with a rough piece of sand paper to get all the extra bits of wood hanging on. Remember, you can always sand more, so sand until your hand falls of. The better you sand, the better your paint finish will be.
Gluing Extra Pieces On
After you are finished sanding all of your pieces, it is time to put any and all of your extra pieces on. When you do this, it is just like gluing the two boards together like you did in the beginning of this project. As you put the glue on the wood, try no to use too much. Using too much glue will cause it to seep out of the cracks when you squeeze it together with a clamp. After you have finished gluing your pieces in place, use the small and large clamps to secure them to the block. After gluing you will have to leave the car to dry overnight.
Finishing touches
Once your car is put together, the glue has dried and you are ready to move on to the next step, you will have to look for cracks or crevices in your car, and sand them out. Often when you attach a piece on it creates some uneven places. Most cars look symmetrical, though if your design is different that is okay too. If you want your car to look symmetrical, look at it from multiple angles to check. You can file and sand things down if you need to. Also, you'll need your car to be as close to 5 oz. as you can, without going over. That is a key to winning the race. You can drill holes in your car and stick weights inside to make your car heavier.
Paint Finish
Once you are ready to paint your car, you have a difficult decision to make. What color are you going to make your car. If you can't decide on any one thing, try going online to Google Images and search different types of cars. You can look at some of the color schemes that real cars use, and pick one you like. Also, you will have to decide on what type of paint you want. Spray paint, hand painting it, using decals, there are a lot of options. Whatever option you choose, be sure about your decision. Ask a few friends what they think. Ask a teacher. Whatever your decision, just remember that it's up to you.