Pine wood derby
- Thread starter mamissa3
- Start date
Dymphna
Loyalty, Friendship, Love
Hubby holds workshops for our pack...just the words Pinewood Derby will have him drooling over this thread...he'll be home in about an hour and you will have more advice than you ever wanted to know...wait...he went to the Scout Shop in Bethesda today...he'll be home about an hour after they kick him out of there.
As I recall, you are in St. Mary's county? Make sure you read the district pinewood derby rules. They have outlawed the most effective speed tips for the district derby, so most packs follow their rules...this also applies to Calvert because it's the same district. I don't know about Charles because it's a different district.
Most important...the official axles usually have rough marks on the shaft, file them off or the wheels won't turn, but don't file too far because it's against the district rules. Second most important, get as close to 5oz as you can without going over. The heavier the better, but the Nationwide rule is 5 oz max. Put the weight as far back as possible, without getting behind the back axle, which can cause it to pop a wheelie and come off of the track. Look at where the axles are, you'll notice one is further from the end than the other. It is better to put that end in front because it allows you to put the weight further back on the car.
Weights and other accessories, like windshields, side pipes, decals, etc. are available at Doug's Hobby Shop and Michaels Crafts...Doug's is more expensive, but usually has a better selection.
As a frequent judge of most original design...the most boring looking cars are ones that look like cars (new boys like that picture on the box and lots of cars look like that) and SpongeBob...the blocks of wood just beg to be that character and it never fails that someone has to do it.
Dutch6
"Fluffy world destroyer"
Like this? It was best of show but not very aerodynamic.
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Dymphna
Loyalty, Friendship, Love
Studies have shown (and yes, some fanatic actually studied it) that aerodynamics don't mean diddly in a PWD. Only weight and friction are significant factors and the local District outlawed most of the things that will reduce friction, in an attempt to make things as even as possible.
Dutch6
"Fluffy world destroyer"
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]These are the rules we used for our Cub Scout Pack Pinewood Derby race. Rules may differ, so be sure to read and abide by the rules for your race.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ALL CARS MUST PASS INSPECTION TO QUALIFY FOR THE RACE[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Following are the inspection points[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final.
2. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
3. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
4. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.
5. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body.
6. The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.
7. The wheels supplied with the kit must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seam from the wheels.
8. The axles supplied with the kit must be used. They may be polished or lubricated.
9. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.
10. The car must not ride on any type of springs.
11. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.
12. No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications.[/FONT]
Dymphna
Loyalty, Friendship, Love
By specifics do you mean the District rules? PM me an email address and I can send you the PDF file.
In the meantime, have your son decide what he wants his car to look like. Trace the block of wood on a piece of paper,(graph paper if you have it). Make sure to note the position of the axles. Then draw the design in that rectangle. Transfer the design to the block of wood on both sides. This will be your guide for cutting it out.
Dymphna
Loyalty, Friendship, Love
The district rules also say, only DRY lubricant and cars MUST use the factory axle grooves. A wider wheel base is faster, but not allowed at the district derby...my son's pack winning car was disqualified one year for that because they didn't give us the district rules until AFTER the pack derby was held.
Dutch6
"Fluffy world destroyer"
You are correct. I'm sorry for not adding that information.
Dupontster
Would THIS face lie?
Graphite is your friend....I did some when my boys were younger...We did PU trucks and cars....Drill holes in the bottom for lead for weight...Oh and BTW, this IS for the Dads and NOT the kids....Make the kids stay away until you are finished.....They will want to do it their way which will NOT be right....Then after the PWD is over, they can play with them if Dad doesn't want to display them........
Dymphna
Loyalty, Friendship, Love
Amazon.com: Rich Diesslins Funny KNOTS Scouting Cartoons - Cub Scouts - Fun for All Ages - Pinewood Derby - T-Shirts: ApparelGraphite is your friend....I did some when my boys were younger...We did PU trucks and cars....Drill holes in the bottom for lead for weight...Oh and BTW, this IS for the Dads and NOT the kids....Make the kids stay away until you are finished.....They will want to do it their way which will NOT be right....Then after the PWD is over, they can play with them if Dad doesn't want to display them........
We have an adult and sibling division so that the boys can have their own cars.
Dupontster
Would THIS face lie?
Dymphna;We have an adult and sibling division so that the boys can have their own cars.[/QUOTE said:Sorry but Dad has to build them too.....
mamissa3
New Member
My boss and husband are helping and they both have ideas so it should be interesting how it turns out lol
Graphite is your friend....I did some when my boys were younger...We did PU trucks and cars....Drill holes in the bottom for lead for weight...Oh and BTW, this IS for the Dads and NOT the kids....Make the kids stay away until you are finished.....They will want to do it their way which will NOT be right....Then after the PWD is over, they can play with them if Dad doesn't want to display them........
huntr1
.
I'm the drooling hubby.
Only things that matter in Pinewood Derby car building:
Make the Scout design it
DON'T let Dad design it
Let the Scout do as much of the work as he safely can (sandpaper can do quite a bit in the hands of a 7-10 year old)
Remove the casting flash from the nails (little lines on the underside of the nail head, run your fingernail around the head where it meets the shaft and you will feel it)
Remove the casting flash from the wheels
Make the long overhang the front of the car (1 axle slot is further from the end than the other)
Put the weight as far back in the car as possible
Weight on the bottom of the car is better than the top, but it doesn't really matter
Dry graphite lubricant is the best, don't waste your time with the lube that has teflon in it, it doesn't work as well as straight graphite
#1 most important rule is to HAVE FUN!!!!!
check your PMs
clevalley
...
Pack 900 is having theirs tonight at TC Martin Elementary School in Bryantown, MD off of Olivers Shop Road starting at 7pm.
Now - if you want to see one fast car go there, or I can put you in contact with the guy who can tell you what you need to do... his boy normally wins district every year and this is his last year (W2) - his son will sand the car down to a flat board and lacquer it with weights on the bottom to get it right at/under 5 oz. - this thing is paper thin and hauls ass... the boy does it every year.
The boy and his dad spent a lot of time when he was a Bobcat playing with these things and found a silver bullet...
Now - if you want to see one fast car go there, or I can put you in contact with the guy who can tell you what you need to do... his boy normally wins district every year and this is his last year (W2) - his son will sand the car down to a flat board and lacquer it with weights on the bottom to get it right at/under 5 oz. - this thing is paper thin and hauls ass... the boy does it every year.
The boy and his dad spent a lot of time when he was a Bobcat playing with these things and found a silver bullet...
BadGirl
I am so very blessed
Secret to success.. Dremel tool..
I am NOT a talented wood carver by any chance.. but I made a pretty cool Dodge Pick UP truck, and it didn't take much time using a dremel..
Pick up truck is unique as in the bed is a perfect place to put weights..
Pinewood blocks aren't too expensive so buy a few and if you screw up, try again.
Dremel polishing wheel is GREAT for polishing the axels.. and can also be used to get rid of the seam on the wheels.. may even want to find a way to polish the inside of the center hub on the wheels, but would be tough to do without reaming out the hole to big.
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huntr1
.
I have about 20 kits in my basement if anybody needs one and can't find them at a store. I know Doug's sells them. Beacon too. I may be more convenient than the store. I'll be home all day tomorrow working on cars with the kids while wife is at leader training.
hollywoman
New Member
Our derby is this weekend. Good Luck... here are some websites we have used.
Cub Scouts Pack 614 Pinewood Derby
Pinewood Derby Champ - Car Tips & Supply Store
Cub Scouts Pack 614 Pinewood Derby
Pinewood Derby Champ - Car Tips & Supply Store
hollywoman
New Member
Oops, forgot to tell you, try your local craft (Michaels) store. If you have a local scout store, they have all the supplies and books.
B
Bronwyn
Guest
I remember taking kiddos car to the Post Office to get that final weight taken....