pitsco LSRAV Dragster Kit User manual

LSRAV Dragster User Guide 58580 V0110 1
LSRAV Dragster
User Guide
The following materials should be in the LSRAV Dragster Kit. If
anything is missing, call Pitsco Customer Service at 800-358-4983 or
e-mail [e-mail].
Teachers: Copy these instructions for the class pack kits.
Materials Included: Items Required (not included):
• 2 front wheels • Pitsco Free Hand Foam Cutter or coping saw
• 2 rear wheels • Latex or tempera paints (for foam prototype)
• 2 axles • Drill (drill press recommended)
• 2 screw eyes • Spray or acrylic paints (for dragster finish)
• 4 brass washers • Band saw or jigsaw
• Wooden body blank • Construction paper
• Foam body blank • Carbon paper
• Plastic straw • Scissors
• CO2 cartridge • Wood rasp
• Grid paper • Sandpaper
• 1/4” grid paper • Sanding sealer (optional)
• Decals and stickers (optional)

2 LSRAV Dragster User Guide 58580 V0110
Section 1: Making the Prototype
1. On the grid paper, draw the side view of the LSRAV dragster
you designed. Directly above the side view, draw the top view
of the LSRAV. Show the engine and axle locations (axles: 1" from
the end and 3/8" above the bottom; engine: hole centered
1-1/4"above bottom, 3/4" diameter x 2" deep).
2. Trace the top view onto a piece of construction paper. To do
this, place a piece of carbon paper between the drawing and a
narrow piece of construction paper aligned with the drawing.
Trace the drawing. Cut out the design on the construction
paper and use it as your template.
3. Repeat Step 2 for the side view, using a wide piece of
construction paper for this template. Note: If you have a kit
without the foam block, skip to Section 2.
4. Tape the templates onto the foam body blank and use a pen to
trace around them. Be sure to tape the top view template onto
the bottom of the foam body blank.
5. After tracing around the templates and removing them, cut the
side view first using the Pitsco Free Hand Foam Cutter or a
coping saw.
6. Second, cut the shape drawn on the bottom of the body blank.
7. Use wet or dry sandpaper to smooth the surface of the body
blank. Other types of sandpaper do not work as well.
8. Using latex or tempera paints, paint the mock-up as you want
the production LSRAV to appear.
Section 2: Making the Production LSRAV
Dragster
1. Refine your original drawings and make new templates, if
necessary.

LSRAV Dragster User Guide 58580 V0110 3
2. Tape the templates onto the wooden body blank and use a
pencil to trace around them. Locate the axle holes (1" from the
end and 3/8" from the bottom of the wooden body blank) and
engine housing. Remove the templates.
3. Drill the axle holes. If available, use a drill press to ensure the
holes are drilled perpendicular to the dragster body.
4. Use a band saw or a jigsaw to cut the side view first. Then, cut
the top view that was traced onto the bottom of the body
blank.
5. Use a wood rasp to shape the body. Use sandpaper to smooth
it.
6. If sanding sealer is available, apply a coat to the dragster. After
the sealer dries, sand lightly with wet or dry sandpaper.
7. Apply several coats of spray paint, letting each coat dry before
applying the next coat. If using acrylic paint, apply a coat of
clear acrylic finish over the dried paint to provide an even,
glossy finish. When the finish is dry, add decals if desired.
8. Cut the straw into two pieces about 1/8" longer than the width
of the dragster body at each axle. Insert the cut straws in the
axle holes – they will act as bearing surfaces. Insert the axles
and place washers over the axle ends.
9. Firmly push the wide wheels on the back axle. Push the narrow
wheels on the front axle. Position wheels on the axles so they
have a little room between the wheels and the straw ends. The
wheels should spin freely.
10. Install the screw eyes on the dragster bottom about 3/4" to
1-1/2" from each end of the body, making sure they are
centered. Caution: Be sure the screw eyes are not directly
under the axles.
11. Your LSRAV should be ready for a test run. Follow your teacher’s
instructions. (See a picture of a completed dragster on the next
page.)

4 LSRAV Dragster User Guide 58580 V0110
P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS 66762
www.pitsco.com
Toll-Free Orders 800-835-0686