Gripster - Wind-Up Toy Car

Version 1.1 - 12/7/2025 After repeated testing and assembly, two small adjustments have been made.

The middle connection piece no longer uses a “press-and-lock” mechanism; it now simply slides into its slot without needing to be wiggled or forced. Since both ends of the car already secure it well, the lock wasn’t necessary, and removing it makes the car easier and faster to assemble.

Additionally, the key size has been reduced to 99%. This prevents a rare PETG printing issue where keys would bind inside the spring, causing the spring to not fully insert and making it difficult (or sometimes impossible) to remove without breaking it.

Remix Details: I changed the gear ratio to 12:1 for improved performance, completely redesigned the body, and remodeled most of the gears from scratch. The new wheels are also redesigned to fit on rubber bands for Improved traction. I encountered some issues with wheels being too close to the windup so I added distance. I transitioned the assembly method from a “force-on” fit to a simple push-down mechanism with consistent size for easier construction. The result is a model that keeps the concept of the original but is rebuilt for improved function, easier assembly, and consistent part sizing.

(Make sure to use rubber bands for effective traction!! otherwise car will likely not move far or drift)

This is my first remix or functional model even, created as part of an educational project to teach physics and engineering concepts to elementary students. I discovered the original design while searching for a fun, hands-on build. I made several quality of life improvements to make the model easier to build and more accessible for classroom use. These enhancements focus on simplifying assembly and improving consistency, while respecting the original design’s core concept.

I don’t have other designs yet, but if this one gains enough interest, I plan to create more original projects to share.

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