So I'm making a co2 dragster

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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Newman
Posts: 147
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by Newman »

Anyone ever made these in school? I am about to embark quite the project here. I'm not sure how to design it, model it after something or jsut shave it down to minumum weight ad hope she goes. I want to model it after the bmw formula one car or their le mans car, but I cant find any good side pics to trace. Anyone got n e idears, bmw or not :p
Tjn182
Posts: 1782
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Charlotte, NC

Post by Tjn182 »

I'm a little lost... what's a co2 dragster? Something that runs on carbon dioxide?
pdx 528e
Posts: 3034
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Post by pdx 528e »

I made one in high school shop class (graduated in 99, so it wasnt *that* long ago). We were given a wedge of pine to work with, about 12 or 13 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and maybe 3 or 4 inches tall at the large end of the wedge. I think it would be really awesome to see one modeled after a bmw formula racer, but it was my goal to shave mine down to minimal weight. I left a large enough mass at the rear to embody the CO2 cylinder without cracking from force of launch, and I left enough mass at the front to mount the front axel and wheels. Between those I sanded the wood down to a diameter a bit larger than a pencil. The unfortunate part was that heat buildup and dryout caused the wood to warp a bit, and sadly all 4 wheels didnt sit flat when it was done. Just something to watch out for. Still was pretty fast though.

I'd be interested in seeing what you end up with. Good luck.

Chris
pdx 528e
Posts: 3034
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Post by pdx 528e »

[QUOTE="Newman"]Anyone ever made these in school? I am about to embark quite the project here. I'm not sure how to design it, model it after something or jsut shave it down to minumum weight ad hope she goes. I want to model it after the bmw formula one car or their le mans car, but I cant find any good side pics to trace. Anyone got n e idears, bmw or not :p [/QUOTE]

Also, I thought that the paper cut out BMW's might give you some decent sideviews, even if they are really basic.

http://www.bmw.co.th/specials/downloads ... am_car.htm HTH

Chris
Newman
Posts: 147
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by Newman »

Dude those are awesome. I tried to make one of my e28 once, kinda hard(paper cut-out one)
Nick C.
Posts: 201
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: New Jersey

Post by Nick C. »

Im making one now in school. This is my second one. On my first one i hollowed out the middle. I post pics if i can later on. I took a chisel and just worked it for a while. After i had it where i wanted it the whole thing just got a nice sand down all the way to 3000 grit paper. Also what are you using for axles? We used metal axels and they tend to build up a lttle friction and slow it down. If you can take a straw and put it through the hole, then put the metal in. It should roll freely in the straw.
Nick C.
Posts: 201
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: New Jersey

Post by Nick C. »

I made a mistake. I said i sanded this one to 3000 grit. I was talking about the one im working on now. The one pictured is barely sanded.
HTH

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sorry for the size of pics. I don't know how to resize.
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