MouseMotel

thingiverse

UPDATE 2010-03-19: The creator has added new pictures and completed the build and usage instructions. He spent time on those, so he's now cleaning up the OpenSCAD files. UPDATE 2010-03-05: Two new STL files have been uploaded, replacing all previous versions: MouseMotel_0.3.stl and MouseMotelLid_0.3.stl. These are designed for a 70mm ID bottle, such as a 20 oz/591ml Sprite bottle. The creator used this size and shared an OpenSCAD screen grab of the assembled parts to demonstrate how they fit together. UPDATE 2010-03-04: An STL file of the main part has been uploaded, but it still needs some tweaking, especially for the flap that contains the mouse. UPDATE 2010-03-02: A photo shows a functional MouseMotel! And it's still working! The author decided to create a printable one-way flap that can be attached to a cut-down bottle, reducing the number of parts needed for the trap. The design is parameterized to accommodate bottles of various diameters, as it's modeled using OpenSCAD - the creator's favorite modeling tool. The basic concept involves cutting off the top of a plastic soda bottle, printing a ring that fits inside it, and a flap that sits inside the ring. Two 3mm captive nuts are inserted into holes on the outside of the ring. The ring is then inserted into the bottle, stabilizers are punched or cut for support, and a length of 3mm plastic feedstock serves as the flap hinge pin. The MouseMotel is placed at a desired location, baited with peanut butter, and left for the mouse to explore. The author is still working on a few details and will update the instructions accordingly.