Cars in a Drawer

I am a kinetic readymade sculpture and hobbyist woodworker who loves cars. So, after studying whirligigs for a while, I wanted to combine these interests together into one project.

Behold, “Cars In a Drawer.” I wanted a junker car to traverse across a platform and then magically be transformed into a Formula I race car. In this Instructable, I'll show you how I did it. The woodworking skills needed are very basic and allow you to finish the project using your own creativity. Basic electrical wiring knowledge is required, so seek help as needed.

Finished Size is 28” long x 8” high x 16” deep.

Tools Required

1. Drill
2. Scroll Saw
3. Glue Gun
4. Epoxy Glue
5. Ruler/pencil/screwdrivers

Supplies

1. (1) 12v AC/DC power converter
2. (8) Small L Bracket w/bolts and nuts (motor mounts)
3. (1) DC AC Rocker Switch 2 pin SPST
4. (6) “No-Solder” heat connectors
5. (1) DC Power 1 female to 2 male 5.5mm x 2.1mm splitter cord
6. 4 long bolts to hold motor frames (holes come pre-drilled to accept bolts)
7. Small wood square stick (cut to “T” to attach track cars to conveyor)
8. (2) DC Power pigtails 5.5mm x 2.5mm female barrel end
9. (2) wood nuts and bolts (not shown in pic)

Conveyors

1. (2) 24V MINI Plastic Conveyor Belt Vending Machine Motors

Case

1. (2) Repurposed wood drawers

Model Cars

1. Assorted number of 1:64 scale model cars

Model Buildings

1. (3) 1:64 scale model buildings

• Secure all your supplies and materials.
• Use one wood drawer as your case/base. Turn it open side up (just like in normal use).
• Carefully remove the back panel, to be used as an access panel.
• Reattach this panel using wood nuts and bolts so you can access the motor area as needed.
• Carefully disassemble the second drawer without cracking any panels. Use the bottom drawer panel as the top platform for your display.
• Tack 1”x2” wood blocks around the sidewalls to act a ledge to hold the display platform in place.
• Trim the bottom panel, which is now the top panel, slightly to set in recess about ½”.
• Do not attach the top panel. At times, you will need to raise the panel to gain access to the motors.
• Note: You can use other wooden boxes or make your own. Wood drawers are easily accessible, cheap, and sturdy. Using older economy-grade all wood drawers is ideal.

• Draw a 1” wide track location down the middle of the top panel.
• Draw the outlines for your building which act as the transition tunnel.
• Use your saw to cut the track.
• Cut out the 3 entry and exit holes.
• Note: Expect trial and error because hole sizes are based on the overall footprint of your buildings and the size of your track cars. Don’t make the holes too big or your building will fall through. If the holes are too small, the cars will not be able to enter and exit. I suggest you use a foam-core board first to make a pattern before cutting any wood.

The conveyer motors need to be modified slightly before you can use them.

• Very carefully remove the vh3.96mm three-wire terminal and disregard.
• Very carefully trim excess plastic off the motor end of the housing. This allows your cars to move completely around 360 degrees. 
• Leave as much wire as possible that leads to the motor to make for easy connection later. Be patient; the wires are very thin.

• Attach a car to one plastic bar that goes across the conveyer belt. I used two small pieces of wood in a “T” shape. I used quick set epoxy as my glue.
• Note: Remember to allow for the car to sit high enough to run above the display panel.
• Note: Be careful not to overdo the epoxy when you glue the belt to the plastic frame.

• Attach the conveyors with cars to the underside of the display panel so that each car enters and exits the holes. It will take some time to adjust their positions. Use the pre-drilled holes in the conveyor frame to attach your metal “L” brackets using long bolts.
• Note: Your buildings must completely cover up the openings.

Plug into the motors using the power supply splitter.

Build and install based on your preferences.

Install to taste.

My first attempt at building a case was a disaster. The depth of the box was too shallow and the cars and conveyer would not clear the bottom.

• Keep all your wiring nice and neat, if not, wires will tangle around the cars and stop them.
• The mini conveyers I bought run on 24v DC and were designed for vending machines. My power supply splitter wire is rated at 12v, so that is the voltage I run the motors on. As you increase the voltage, the speed will increase.
• The conveyers come in 5 lengths. I chose T-165 model.
• As an option you could use two power supplies.
• As an option you could use motor controllers to adjust individual car speeds.
• I purchased photopaper model buildings and then covered them with thin veneer plywood and then painted them.
• My buildings are not attached and can be removed and placed inside the case/drawer for storage and transport.
• My cars are hot glued to the display panel. However, they could be loose and rearranged as needed.
• I used a spray stone finish paint on the display panel. Covers a lot of mistakes and looks good too.