Author Topic: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed  (Read 8833 times)

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Offline Inigo Montoya

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #25 on: November 13, 2009, 08:19:03 PM »
Yeah I am not sure those are used anymore! I can see the weight on the back thing as it would lighten the front to allow it to transition easier.

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #26 on: November 14, 2009, 12:04:27 AM »
Forget the lead in the rear.... Use a CO2 cartridge..... ;)  My daughter just built one of those CO2 cars in her "Industrial Engineering" class. AKA SHOP class dammit! Her car is about the same size as a PWD car. She now uses my term after I've shown her a few things I made 46 years ago. AND her SHOP class teacher (not instructor) rides too. 
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redschwa

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #27 on: November 14, 2009, 01:19:45 AM »
Im still in my childhood and I rember completly building my cars on my own. For me, it was great because Im good at this kind of stuff. Even though I never won against the "dad built" cars I was very proud of my cars. I still have back at home. I always wondered what you champs did that kicked my car's butt. Now I see the depth involved. I say let the 6 year handle it. But don't let him make a car that won't make it to the end of the track.

Offline shacolaid

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #28 on: November 14, 2009, 09:05:18 AM »
I have two boys in scouts. One is a bear and the other is a wolf. Last year I had them trace how they wanted the car to look from the side and my dad rough cut the blocks on his bandsaw. The rest they did themselves. Sanding and painting. They glued on the weights and I placed the wheels. The cool thing our pack does is have an anything goes race for the dads or moms. I did not participate last year but may this year. The one dad cut a half moon shape along the block of wood and placed a roll of quarters in that section. Ran okay but did not win.

As far as tips for speed, as others have said, polish the axels and graphite the heck out them. Come as close to the weight without going over. I just got a mailer from scouts with some tools for the derby that allows proper wheel placement and extra wood on the side if you want to place the wheels "inside" a fender. Good luck to your son.
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Offline Inigo Montoya

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #29 on: November 23, 2009, 05:31:00 PM »
ahh but read the title of the post. Tips for speed. Not looks. ;)

Offline GammaFlat

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #30 on: November 24, 2009, 06:52:30 PM »
The look good part would be great too.  We'll work on it.  My son's not gonna get much help from me with the "nice looking" part.  Maybe if he does a nice job, he can do my side covers on my K6 too.  :)

Thanks for all the input.  It should be a lot of fun. 
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Offline DavePhipps

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #31 on: November 24, 2009, 07:11:14 PM »
This is so funny. My son just got his first pinewood derby kit. We've been talking about what he wants it to look like. I told him that  his imagination and 5 ounces is the limit. He has now decided on a viking boat with some warhammer dwarves on it. I'll help him plan it, and paint but I  think he's going to be doing most of the work. OK I'll be doing the mock up in 3dsMax but that program is a bit beyond his skill level right now.

For speed we're polishing axles. I'll do one as an example and he does the rest. I'm thinking teflon for the axle lube but I'm not sure.
Whether he wins or loses he's going to have on cool boat/car
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Offline Inigo Montoya

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #32 on: November 25, 2009, 06:10:21 AM »
I dont know if teflon would work but in the boy scout rules the lube must be dry. If not using BSA rules, then I don't know. It is fun stuff though.

Offline Inigo Montoya

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Re: Who's got Pinewood Derby tips for speed
« Reply #33 on: November 25, 2009, 03:45:30 PM »
Well a way around this would be to use a press and drill through the back on the centerline towards the bottom. A little liquid lead and there you go.