OK-I need some pinewood derby help

[speedy badger]

OK so it getting close to that time of year again-Pinewood Derby time.

This year is the first year that I will build a car with my son. He really likes Indycars. I was hoping someone here migh have a good template or idea for an Indy car. I do not have a lot of woodworking tools other than a dremmel so simple or basic is good. I am assuming with all of the race knowledge here, there is a lot of good collective knowledge here!

Thanks in advance!!!



(Since this is Indycar related, hope this post stays up here!)

[Heath Hamilton]

When I was a kid in the scouts my dad helped me. He made up an awesome PWD legal version of Jimmy Clarks Lotus...within the constraints of the wood block, of course. I didn't appreciate then how awesome it was....

[SpeedwayRyan]

Who needs power tools? When I was a kid, my dad handed me a cheap coping saw and told me to have at it.

If I was building one today, I'd do it this way: find some nice technical drawings of your favorite car. Print out the top view and the side view at the same scale, sized to fit your wood block. Cut 'em out, and stick 'em on the block. Then, using a saw, cut out the outlines of both drawings -- one to get the top-down outline, and one to get the side-view outline. If you're using a bandsaw/scroll saw/etc, cut the side view first so you can lay it down on the flat bottom to cut the top view (if you cut the top view first, you won't have a flat side left to lay on the saw table when cutting the sides).

This will get you pretty close to a cool car...the rest is just knocking off the corners, shaping and sanding. There's a ton of info on the web about weighting, lubricating axles, and all the tricks -- that stuff is pretty easy to find. Good luck!

[Tara]

When I was a kid, my father helped me build a pinewood derby version of the Marmon Wasp. My parents moved into assisted living a few years back and a lot of there things in the house were auctioned off. Funny thing is, if you go to the Speedway Museum you can see my pinewood derby car. I guess whoever bought it, either sold, gave, or loaned it to the museum. My brother and sis-in-law saw it and photographed it. Sent me the photo and yes without a doubt that is my racer.

[Jamski]

This will get you in the ballpark, I think, plus Hobbylinc is a great shop:

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/pin/pinp372.htm

[flyingpylon]

Don't over-think it. Build a basic wedge-shaped car and then paint it however you like to make it "cool". The key to a fast car is axle preparation, followed by weight distribution, and a little aerodynamics. Do a little internet research and find out how to polish the axles... do that and then polish them some more. Make sure the car does not weigh anything less than 5.0 ounces at weigh-in, and if it's a scale that only measures to the tenth of an ounce, make sure it weighs 5.04 ounces. For best results, make the center of gravity about 1.25" in front of the rear wheel. If you want to get a little fancy, raise one of the front wheels so that it does not contact the track and thus generates less rolling resistance.

There are lots of websites out there that will give you tips... some of them have the info for sale but if you read enough of them you can figure out most of the basics. It depends on how serious you want to get about it, but if you just want to do well and avoid any embarrassment, the tips I gave above will get you there. But like always, speed costs money and the last 5% will require some specialty derby car tools (http://www.derbyworx.com/tools.htm).

But on top of everything else, don't wait until the last minute, and make sure you're following the rules of your pack and district. You wouldn't believe how many people don't do this.

[Jimmy_22]

My sons car from last year. Actually ran faster backwards. For one of our Wolf achievements this year, my den made the car stands. Was fun and easy. Just cut some baseboard trim and a little piece of stock to set the car on. Kids loved it.

[RacingPortaJohn]

I did my first one ever last year with my daughter..... Sand down the axles(nails) til they're pretty smooth, same with the mold points on the wheel. By accident, we only had 3 wheels touching the track at one time, found out later this was the way to go. Also, you should be able to legally use that graphite powder lubricant type stuff. Don't be a cheater and lubricate between the races...karma will catch up with you.

[crsfulk]

Go up top and do a search for "pinewood derby" on TF. There are some really good threads that will give you some help. If I remember correctly, there is one on here about Penske that made me chuckle!!

[vintage]

Abrasive rubbers - I know that sounds painful, but people use them for polishing the axles. Also heavy metal weights - like tungsten.

I believe there is an entire engineering science related to making these cars go fast!

[EdJVuky]

A raised nose with a backward sloping angle to the front axle gives a starting line advantage. My son anI took it much further though...actually slotting between the front wheels. Just enough so that the starting peg contaccted, the instant the peg started to lower...we were rolling. Big edge in a crushing victory.

[mattf765]

Speaking from experience... just have fun, and let the little guy do most of the work. It might not be a winner, but it'll mean more to him. I remember competing in pinewood derby's and the kids that actually participated in the building of their cars always had way more fun than the kids that watched daddy build theirs. My dad always had a few tips and tricks to give me but he also used it as an opportunity to teach me how to use some of his power tools like a drill press and band saw. I'm just glad people are still participating in this event. It's what sparked my interest in racing in general!

P.S. The wedge design always runs well. Put the weights in the back and some graphite lube on the axels and let her fly!

[Sea Fury]

OK so it getting close to that time of year again-Pinewood Derby time.

This year is the first year that I will build a car with my son. He really likes Indycars. I was hoping someone here migh have a good template or idea for an Indy car. I do not have a lot of woodworking tools other than a dremmel so simple or basic is good. I am assuming with all of the race knowledge here, there is a lot of good collective knowledge here!

Thanks in advance!!!



(Since this is Indycar related, hope this post stays up here!)

[IndyDog]

Don't over-think it. Build a basic wedge-shaped car and then paint it however you like to make it "cool". The key to a fast car is axle preparation, followed by weight distribution, and a little aerodynamics. Do a little internet research and find out how to polish the axles... do that and then polish them some more. Make sure the car does not weigh anything less than 5.0 ounces at weigh-in, and if it's a scale that only measures to the tenth of an ounce, make sure it weighs 5.04 ounces. For best results, make the center of gravity about 1.25" in front of the rear wheel. If you want to get a little fancy, raise one of the front wheels so that it does not contact the track and thus generates less rolling resistance.

There are lots of websites out there that will give you tips... some of them have the info for sale but if you read enough of them you can figure out most of the basics. It depends on how serious you want to get about it, but if you just want to do well and avoid any embarrassment, the tips I gave above will get you there. But like always, speed costs money and the last 5% will require some specialty derby car tools (http://www.derbyworx.com/tools.htm).

But on top of everything else, don't wait until the last minute, and make sure you're following the rules of your pack and district. You wouldn't believe how many people don't do this.

Right on!
Also, order a set of "prepared" wheels off the net; big advantage.

[milliesdad]

A potato peeler works good to rough out the shape. Then your dremel with a sanding drum, or sand by hand.

Make sure that you keep within the weight limit.

Please make sure that your son does the work and all you do is advive (coach). This is the hardest part of of Pinewood Derby. You gotta remember that your son is supposed to make it, and you are along for the ride.

I've done Scout stuff for 20+ years, so I know what of I speak. One son made Eagle, the other was not interested ion the program.