Way off Subject. Tips for Pine wood derby cars

[oakrodent]

I know this is way off subject, This is my sons first year of cub scouts and I am their den leader. The pine wood derbies are coming up and I want to make sure we don't get killed. I am sure allot of members were ether scouts or have had a son as one. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. The biggest question is were should the center of gravity be set at. Should all the weight be behind or in front of the rear axles? Thanks for any input

[masterangler-01]

Last year was both my sons first year and they both took first place in their respective dens. First ,I polished the axles and removed any sharp edges. Also remove the part in the center of the wheels on the od. I polished the axles to the nails with graphite. Don't just sprinkle it on, do it befoer the axles are atached. I also put the weight in the back of the car, but have heard both sides of the story and you will have to make that decision yourself. Any other questions just pm me. Good luck. It's fun watching the looks on the kids after they win, and lose.

[noonxnoon]

Oak...I can share with you a story and tell you my pain first as a fellow MG42-er...and as a fellow PA'er...

I have painful memories of my big pine derby for the cub scouts...

My father pretty much made the entire care for me...did the weights and all.

I was living down south at the time and the 'Dukes of Hazzard' was super hot down there. So the care was painted like the 'General Lee'.

When my car was to race...they all saw the General Lee and they knew anyone racing the General Lee would have to be the best to beat the best.

The crowd was quiet...all was hushed...

On your marks...get set...GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

...and my mighty General Lee just stuck there...the other car was finished...my car still was at the top of the ramp...the announcer took pity and tapped the car...had to smack it before it finally went...everyone laughed...I was humiliated!!!

wow...over 25 years ago if not more and I still can feel that pain!

Two things I can tell you...maybe three things...

First...my father put the weights in the front

Second...he didn't grease the axle at all

Third...he didn't do any test runs...

don't get me wrong...my father was very mechanically inclined...

well...just telling you some painful scars from my early youth I still can remember!

best of luck for you and your son!!!

[oakrodent]

Thanks for the tips and the story. That is the memory I don't want my son to have.

I noticed most people are pretty tight lipped out their speed secrets.

[Bil]

The graphite was about all the extra we used.I also made sure my son did most of the work,and we tried all his ideas to see if they worked.My daughter also built one,the troop didn't have a track and had to always borrow one,so I got the official specs and built and donated a 4-lane track.The next year I got one of those electronic gadgets that showed the actual first,second,and third place.It really cut down on the arguments.But the most fun was that I kept the track upstairs in my garage.It got used all year until the kids got older and it moved on.Have fun with your son and his car.Win or lose,it is something he will always remember.Fondly,I hope! ---bil

[maxposner]

As a single father with mom completely out of the picture, I would try to over compensate at every opportunity. The pinwood derby became another occasion for me to explore my guilt and angst. The gist of this post is that the car that performed the best was the one that was simply a wedge shape, awful paint job and took a total of 30 minutes to build. The worst performer was the one with the Fantastic Stars and Stripes paint job(First Place, best paint), less is more, you can polish, weight and fawn, but sometimes the stars are against you. The best part is working with the kids and making derby day special, celebratory lunch, or condolences party. Enjoy, they are gone too soon.

[Bil]

Excellant reply.After all,if you can get your kid or kids to sit down and get ainto a project that they can enjoy,and spend some time with them,you have all already won.Trying not to be too sappy about this,but I was out last night with a friend going through this stuff,he has to decide whether to stay in a small town in Utah in his parents basement,the economy there is non existant,but his kids live near,or stay out here in Malibu with a real good paying job and visit his kids as much as possible.Long talk,but no easy answers.Sounds like quite a few of us have been through this,and anyone that hasn't really can't understand.Those that went throught it as kids and now again as adults-I can't imagine.Hang in there. ---bil

[rocco1911]

Like a good friend of mine once told me not so long ago hang in there it gets better.

[Bil]

He meant it,too!! ---bil

[railsplitter]

Keep the car running true and straight - if its out - cut a slot in the nail (axel) head and turn it with a small screw driver - sort of a mini wheel alighment. A short test track helps. Be sure to max out on all weight allowed. PS lots of cool web sites on Pine wood tips (some pay too.)

[oakrodent]

Thanks for the tips. My son and I finished his car. It should be very fast. He did almost all the work. We cheated a little. I took him to my work and he cut out the car out using a vertical mill with my close supervision. He thought it was a blast using it. They have since added on open class. The car must be under 5oz, standard size and made out of an official block of wood. I am building a super fast gravity car with ball bearing and carbon fiber axles and a second car that is powered by a ducted fan for a 30oz RC airplane. I will post some pics later

[noonxnoon]

When is the big race?

[oakrodent]

The race is 21 Feb. I haven't even started on the jet car yet and I am leaving for SD tomorrow for a week. I will be cutting that car close on weight and time.

[oakrodent]

Here is the finished cars.

My sons car is all the way to the right. He placed 2nd in his den. The second from the right is my wifes car. She placed 3rd in the unlimited. The two on the left are mine. They placed 1st and 2nd in the unlimited.

Thanks for all the advice and stories.

[railsplitter]

are the micro thin wheels actually pine wood derby wheels turned down? Those are the kind of skills that builds a rock N semi.

[noonxnoon]

congratz Oak!

great placeing and all those cars you guys made look really unique. Never would have thought to carve out the middle in the ways you had and distributed the weight.

nice paint jobs as well!