https://mightycog.com/blog Free building ideas, mechanism explanations and practical experiments from MightyCog. en-us https://mightycog.com/blog/do-larger-wheels-turn-faster-on-the-same-axlehttps://mightycog.com/blog/do-larger-wheels-turn-faster-on-the-same-axleBuild a two-wheel comparison bench, predict rim distance and separate equal axle turns from unequal millimetres traveled around each wheel.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/four-wheel-drive-explained-4wd-vs-awdhttps://mightycog.com/blog/four-wheel-drive-explained-4wd-vs-awdAnswers to common four-wheel drive questions: what 4WD and AWD mean, why a centre differential matters, and why 4WD climbs better, with Technic-style builds.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/belts-chains-or-gears-lessonhttps://mightycog.com/blog/belts-chains-or-gears-lessonA ready-to-run lesson: why belts and chains carry turning across a gap, why a crossed belt reverses it, and why a belt slips when a chain can’t.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/does-a-second-gear-output-change-the-ratiohttps://mightycog.com/blog/does-a-second-gear-output-change-the-ratioBuild an original two-output gear bench, predict each branch’s turns and discover why a second load changes effort without halving the tooth-count ratio.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/why-a-crank-pin-moves-unevenlyhttps://mightycog.com/blog/why-a-crank-pin-moves-unevenlyBuild a new crank orbit bench, predict its 32 mm projected excursion and discover why equal angle steps give unequal straight-axis travel.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/motor-myths-which-motor-is-besthttps://mightycog.com/blog/motor-myths-which-motor-is-bestThe XL motor is the strongest, but it often makes a slower car. Five common motor myths, tested with measured motor data and a lab you can try first.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/why-a-hand-spun-wheel-slows-downhttps://mightycog.com/blog/why-a-hand-spun-wheel-slows-downBuild a retained coasting wheel bench, predict stopping turns in a simple lab and compare three gentle trials without confusing speed with energy.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/how-far-does-a-rack-movehttps://mightycog.com/blog/how-far-does-a-rack-moveBuild a new rack travel bench, predict millimetres from pinion angle and run a three-trial experiment within a reviewed short stroke.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/tracks-vs-wheels-which-is-betterhttps://mightycog.com/blog/tracks-vs-wheels-which-is-betterTracks win on soft ground and steps; wheels win on smooth floors. Two floor tests with Technic-style builds, and a lab on why long tracks are hard to turn.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/how-worm-gears-workhttps://mightycog.com/blog/how-worm-gears-workWhy a worm gear holds its load when you let go, when it can slip after all, and five Technic-style builds that use the lock.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/one-afternoon-technic-style-projectshttps://mightycog.com/blog/one-afternoon-technic-style-projectsFive 20 to 35 minute builds for builders past their first models, each with a test to run afterwards so the session ends with an answer.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/why-compound-gears-multiply-reductionhttps://mightycog.com/blog/why-compound-gears-multiply-reductionBuild a new two-stage counting bench, predict its 25:1 reduction and test why gears sharing a shaft change the final turns.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/catapult-vs-trebuchet-stored-energy-experimenthttps://mightycog.com/blog/catapult-vs-trebuchet-stored-energy-experimentHow a spring catapult and a counterweight trebuchet store energy, why 45° is only best in theory, and a predict-and-launch range game.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/gear-ratio-worksheethttps://mightycog.com/blog/gear-ratio-worksheetA hands-on gear ratio worksheet with worked examples, blank test records and answers. Compare two gear pairs using a free animated building guide.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/how-linkages-make-walking-legshttps://mightycog.com/blog/how-linkages-make-walking-legsSee how a turning crank and a few pinned beams draw a step: trace foot paths on screen, then build a pump jack and a walking spider.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/what-is-torque-speed-vs-strengthhttps://mightycog.com/blog/what-is-torque-speed-vs-strengthTorque explained with a hand winch you can crank on screen, then four Technic-style builds that let you feel speed and strength trade places.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/why-an-idler-gear-does-not-change-the-final-ratiohttps://mightycog.com/blog/why-an-idler-gear-does-not-change-the-final-ratioBuild a 40–8–40 gear bridge, predict each shaft’s turns and use an interactive experiment to discover why an idler cancels from the final ratio.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/steering-and-suspension-tests-for-technic-style-carshttps://mightycog.com/blog/steering-and-suspension-tests-for-technic-style-carsUse a turning-circle test and a one-wheel bump test to separate steering geometry, suspension travel and ground clearance on small builds.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/two-speed-gearbox-speed-and-torque-testhttps://mightycog.com/blog/two-speed-gearbox-speed-and-torque-testBuild a small two-speed mechanism, count its wheel turns, then compare flat-floor speed and ramp climbing with a repeatable test.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/why-a-technic-style-car-wont-climbhttps://mightycog.com/blog/why-a-technic-style-car-wont-climbDiagnose a climbing car by separating motor stall, tyre slip and tipping, then run a controlled ramp test using small Technic-style builds.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/first-builds-for-5-to-7-year-oldshttps://mightycog.com/blog/first-builds-for-5-to-7-year-oldsSix first builds for beginners, from a 5-minute roller to a pull-back racer, plus how to help without taking over.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/how-to-explain-gears-to-kidshttps://mightycog.com/blog/how-to-explain-gears-to-kidsA simple way to explain gears, gear ratio and direction for beginners, with four hands-on builds and questions to ask.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/pull-back-car-science-experimenthttps://mightycog.com/blog/pull-back-car-science-experimentBuild a pull-back car, then run a real fair test: how far does it go when you pull back further, add weight or change gears?Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/running-a-building-clubhttps://mightycog.com/blog/running-a-building-clubA practical guide for teachers and club leaders: groups, timings, sorting parts, choosing builds by experience and keeping everyone involved.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/simple-machines-for-kids-buildshttps://mightycog.com/blog/simple-machines-for-kids-buildsLevers, counterweights, cams and cranks explained through six hand-powered builds, from a 12-minute see-saw to a trebuchet.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://mightycog.com/blog/what-is-a-differential-for-kidshttps://mightycog.com/blog/what-is-a-differential-for-kidsWhy a car’s wheels need to turn at different speeds in a corner, and a push-along build that lets builders see a differential work.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT