Pinwheel Mouse Trap

This design is for a rotating style of bucket mouse trap. To prevent mice from hanging on to a stationary spot with their rear legs and stretching out towards the bait, the entire rotor turns. The small moment arm of the ends of the spindle shouldn't induce much tendency to rotate and once the mouse reaches a spoke and it begins to turn they won't be near anything stable to grab onto.

If a spoke stops pointing upwards a mouse could get to the bait without it spinning, so perforated covers are used. These are made from soda bottle caps (Coke brand) and a drilling jig is included (it's a good idea to press the cap against some wood when drilling to prevent tear-out, so the holes drill cleanly). The spokes are the same diameter as the caps to minimize features the mouse could cling to.

A length of 3/4" CPVC pipe serves as the central spindle. The end plus are designed to be used with two 1/4" shafts (a continuous one is not required, and a couple 1/4" bolts should work fine, the thr