need advice on making some Pinewood derby cars

joekd

Active Member
#21
Everything he says is true, guys will skirt the very limit of the rules to make the pinewood cars as fast as possible

We had a very strict rule that all 4 tires had to touch the track so guys would set on front wheel crooked so the edge barely touch then act like it was accidental.

Just keep remembering that less friction=faster speed, I waxed the body of the car multiple times, looks better and every little bit helps.

Around here we have a lit of aircraft industry guys (pratt, hamilton, canadair, etc) and there have been some cars that you simply knew were professionally done and the kid didn't even touch them and then at the other end are the son's of single moms who built the car 100% themself. We would have boys bring in uncut wood blocks that they put the tires onto then painted (yes, wheels would not even turn) and glued army men too

I would find myself bringing a whole toolbox including drills and dremel just to help with quick repairs and setups every year.

Joe's next helpful tip, I would start the pinewood season by going to our local scout store and buying 3-4 extra kits, take out all the wheels and axles (nails). The best ones would go to my son's car, the next set would go to my daughter's sibling fun entry, next I would build one simple "ready to run car" just in case a kid showed up without one or broke his and the rest went into the toolbox as spare parts
 

buckeye

Well-Known Member
#22
Now that is the spirit of what it is suppose to be.
The single Mom kids always get screwed. And if you are the single Dad,just might get dinner.
 

joekd

Active Member
#23
Not to get too emotional here but my son got every second of my attention that he wanted for his pinewood cars because my father wasn't there for me when I was a scout

He wasn't a bad father, just he worked 2 full time jobs so when we did see him at home he was usually fast asleep

I built my first pinewood car all by myself, painted it with my leftover model car paints and brushes. Was all proud of it until it hit the track, car bottomed out and stuck in place. Didn't have the skills I needed to make a channel/pocket in the wood for the weights so I just glued them on figuring it would work.

They say there are some moments you never forget, well that is one of my worst ones. Having kids your own age point to your car and laugh.
 

1stlegendtx

Well-Known Member
#24
Not to get too emotional here but my son got every second of my attention that he wanted for his pinewood cars because my father wasn't there for me when I was a scout

He wasn't a bad father, just he worked 2 full time jobs so when we did see him at home he was usually fast asleep

I built my first pinewood car all by myself, painted it with my leftover model car paints and brushes. Was all proud of it until it hit the track, car bottomed out and stuck in place. Didn't have the skills I needed to make a channel/pocket in the wood for the weights so I just glued them on figuring it would work.

They say there are some moments you never forget, well that is one of my worst ones. Having kids your own age point to your car and laugh.
This also happened to me as a kid so I assisted my son and won everything including the regionals. They even took the car for days but it was all good.
 

Oldsalt

Well-Known Member
#25
Wow,oldsalt, that is unreal. For pinewood derby?
Unfortuanately, in all aspects of life there will be those that get an edge wheather honestly or by "cheating". So again unfortuanetly, we have to be dishonest to win.
Wish I had a young son, now. We would kick ass.

Yes, for a pinewood derby car. The attached pic shows the set-up I was going to experiment with to beat my Development Engineer boss [on the track at his house that has photo cells and data logger]. Never did it. In any case, the picture is the tiny magnet and the pick-up and the proper printed circuit and etc.. It would all fit nicely inside the car. By 'phasing' the pick-up and the 'push coil' [or properly resisting the battery] the amount of energy imparted would be adjustable. ....just enough to usually win.

I firmly believe that children must learn that NOTHING in life is "fair". "Fair" is a word rightly used ONLY in children's games and Liberal/Socialist politics. It is idiotic to instill into children that they must adhere to a moral code that makes them instant losers to the inevitable legion of people that they MUST compete against whom will not hesitate to employ anything necessary to excel.
 

MB165

Active Member
#26
Wow, thanks guys lots of good info.
Joekd, I like your 2nd and third year cars, the screamer too. I showed it to my six year old he didnt get it:laugh:
As much as I want to help him, im gonna resist and try to let him do as much as he can. I will for sure make sure the axles are deburred and polished, and wheels squared, trued, and do a few test runs along a strip of tape. The local hardware store owner is a eagle scout from our pack. Next month he has a derby get together and cuts all the blocks for us on his small bandsaw.

Pete
 

1stlegendtx

Well-Known Member
#27
I firmly believe that children must learn that NOTHING in life is "fair". "Fair" is a word rightly used ONLY in children's games and Liberal/Socialist politics. It is idiotic to instill into children that they must adhere to a moral code that makes them instant losers to the inevitable legion of people that they MUST compete against whom will not hesitate to employ anything necessary to excel.
:thumbsup:Old salt is quickly becoming my hero:thumbsup:
 

joekd

Active Member
#28
Joekd, I like your 2nd and third year cars, the screamer too. I showed it to my six year old he didnt get it:laugh:
Yeah, Screamer wasn't the faster but was one of the most popular ones we have done and honestly was one of the easiest to build. It had a piece of red felt for a flappy tongue when we first built it but that seemed to be slowing things down so we ripped that off after the first couple test runs :thumbsup:
 

MB165

Active Member
#30
Has anybody researched balancing? IE, what percentage of the cars weight should each end of the car carry for optimum performance?
I check this on my arrows, its called front of center measurment, most people dont give a rats ass about it but I know it improves accuracy.
 
#31
Drive the nails/axles in yourself so that they don't split the wood. If they are straight and smooth the car won't shimmy on the straight away. The kid can do the rough cuts sanding and painting. Also max the weight out at 5 ounces which is regulation I believe. You do this by adding weights you can buy at the craft store. I have enjoyed this with my kids for several years. Good luck
 

1stlegendtx

Well-Known Member
#32
If you want to do well put the weight in the back and have the car under weight. Bring weight to the official scale race day and add what is needed to get it to the max weight aloud.
 
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