More pinewood derby fun:
Packs around the country are preparing to hold their annual pinewood derby. There are many ways to make your pinewood derby car go faster. Here are some of them.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PINEWOOD DERBY CAR DESIGN
The possibilities are endless when it comes to picking a shape for your pinewood derby car. Before you begin, consider the following guidelines:
Avoid designs with a pointed nose. A pointed nose will make it difficult for your pinewood derby car to rest on the pin at the starting gate. It may also cause your pinewood derby car to get bumped around when the pin drops, and it can create problems for electronic timing systems.
Leave enough wood in the rear of the pinewood derby car so you can place additional weight there. You will end up putting most of the weight in the rear of the pinewood derby car.
Be sure that it is very clear which end of your pinewood derby car is the front and which end is the back. In many races, the race officials—not you—will actually place each pinewood derby car on the track. Sometimes the officials put the pinewood derby car on the track backward because they can’t tell which end is which.
Choose a design that allows the air to move over and around the pinewood derby car body in a smooth manner. Pinewood derby cars with aerodynamic profiles go faster.
DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE PINEWOOD DERBY CAR
You don’t have to strive for the “ultimate pinewood derby car” to build a fast car and have fun competing in your pinewood derby. But if you and a helpful adult are willing to put in the extra time and effort, these tips are for you.
LOOKING GOOD How to give your pinewood derby car that glossy finish |
Bake the Block: Start with your block of wood, and before you do anything else, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for around two hours to remove moisture and make it lighter.
Create the Design: Select a fast design.
Cut the Design: Draw the outline of your pinewood derby car on a sheet of paper, cut it out and attach it to your block of wood.
Make a Three-Wheeler: Raise one wheel about 1/16 inch higher so it never actually touches the track. Less friction = more speed.
Extend the Wheelbase: The front and rear wheels should be as far apart as possible.
Determine Weight Placement: A heavier rear increases speed. Add weight to the rear of your pinewood derby car.
Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed.
Sand the Pinewood Derby Car: Make it smooth to reduce friction.
Lubricate the Wheel Well: The less friction between the body and wheel, the better.
CHOOSING YOUR AXLES
Not all axles are created equal. Here’s a tip on choosing the straightest out of your bunch.
1. Start with a set of about 20 raw axles.
2. Can you tell the difference between the axles in the top row and the ones on the bottom? The ones on the bottom aren’t straight and will slow your car.
3. To tell which are straight and which aren’t, mark each axle with a marker about 1/2 inch from the pointed end.
4. Have an adult clamp a power drill into a vise, a device that will hold it perfectly still.
5. Have an adult help you clamp each axle into the drill at the location you marked in Step 3. Have the adult turn on the drill.
6. Bent axles will wobble as they turn in the drill. Straight axles will hardly wobble at all. Pick the ones that wobble least.
WANT MORE SECRETS?
Pick up a copy of “Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets” (BSA Supply No. 30538, 1-800-323-0736, www.scoutstuff.org) for lots more info on building the pinewood derby car body, preparing the axles and wheels, alternatives to the “ultimate pinewood derby car” and putting it all together.
And once you’ve built your pinewood derby car, get ideas on making it look great from “Pinewood Derby Designs & Patterns” (DK Publishing, $12.95 softcover), also available from a BSA retail store.
Remember: The No. 1 rule of a pinewood derby is that it’s supposed to be fun. While you should always strive to do your best, don’t get caught up in winning. Just enjoy the ride.
Tags: Pinewood derby
last year i won a award
i made a car last year and it popped a whelie because i had too much weight in the back but it backfired and caused MORE friction because the back of the car touched the track so don’t place too much weight in the back of the car
One of the secrets is against a rule; Raise one tire 1/16 off the track.
i would use these tips but i am going to boy scouts before that.
Puting the wait in the back really helps. thanks BoysLife!
pinecar is a good company for decals car building hints and pre made cars (i don’t like the pre made cars but you might) they also have books and dvds full of tips and hints to make a great car you can find them in the hobbie section of most hobbie lobbys ps they are bsa aproved unless it say other wise
As a Den Leader we try to follow the BSA rules, and as such I have an issue with the numbers, 5 and 6 on the secrets list, they say to make it run on 3 wheels, and to extend the wheel base, both of which are against the BSA Rules. I would hope that all you scouts out there will not think about cheating just because these tips are on this site. Have a great race.
Pack 16, Athol, MA.
Be sure that any of the hints to make your car faster don’t make your car illegal. For instance, our council doesn’t allow a pointed front (must be flat for 3/4 of middle), nor can we extend the wheelbase, it must be factory cut. Not all speed tips are equal or a good idea. Check the rules before you run with it! Good luck racing.
Every cub’s dream is to have a cool looking car and have it fast. Are they both possible at the same time though? With these tips it can be.Tip 1: model your car after a race car. The real thing goes fast, so why shouldn’t your derby? Tip 2: like the packet above says you need lots of weight in the back. Try drilling a hole in the back and filling it with lead. (Make sure you get it weighed first.) Tip 3: Think of cool models that look good aerodynamic. One year I had a rocket that had a point at the front ,after that it slanted up to go fast. It almost won before it broke during the race☻. Tip 4: Try using metallic spray paint for a nice shine.
MAKE SURE TO HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The critical point in making the car fast is to be absolutely sure, or at least as sure as you can be, that the wheels are running true and smoothly. Polish the axles where the wheel rides on them to remove all burrs on the axles, polish the insides of the wheel hubs with pipecleaners and smooth the tread surface of the wheels to remove all mold marks. Be absolutely sure the axles are perfectly aligned with a 90 degree angle from the track surface and precisely perpendicular to the axis of the car body. Use plenty of dry, powdered graphite to lubricate the wheels and get the weight of the car just as close to the maximum allowed with weight inserted in holes drilled in the rear of the car and fastened low on the sides of the car between the front and rear wheels.
I just remolded the batmobeil and i am on to finals
the wheels matter
It’s Awesome tips, my cars sure to win!!!
Thanks I hope I’ll win this year.
I Never Knew THAT! THANKS!
Awsome!!!
thanks for the tips
I am a WeblosII and I am so sad because today was my last pinewood derby.
Cool tips!
thanks for helping me .I made the fastest car!
they work well.
i can’t wait it is fun working with my dad and mon on my car
Does it matter which wheel is off the ground, if we are doing the three wheels?
Awesome. i never won at all but i got 2nd in design 1 time with this ill be like, TEH_PWNAGE!!!!!lol
this is awesome!
thx the tipz
You have to be a scout to be in Pinewood Derby evo 7
sweet, thank you 4 the tips. I WILL WIN!
Thanks for the tips! I’m sure with them I won’t lose.
the axle tip really helped!
these r amazing tips. thanks.
I WILL WIN
thanks for the tips
I was looking at the Picture of them putting a Axle in the Drill. What kind of tool do you use get the rough burs out with to make it smooth?
Also where can I get extra wheels and axles?
thanks 4 the tips it made car go faster then i expected,but anyways my model was a made F1.I didn’t enter be cause i can’t find the event.Were is Pinewood anyways?
In my first cub scout year, I got 1st and second year got 2nd, this year I wan’t to make my derby car myself with my pocket knife, I think BL’s tips will help a lot, Thanks!!!
hey i’m in pack 10! but i’m in VA.
I won second place once with my own design! To bad I’m a Boy Scout now and not a Cub Scout.
i think every part about it was cool except i always lose
I have won first place before.
this will be really helpful this year 4 me
you know this worked thanks and Merry Christmas
this might just really work
awsome
My dad taught me the 3 wheeler tip.
I got 1st place once then next time I got 3rd.This year, we aren’t just racing, but this time, we also made the trophies. It is cool. I hope you all have fun in your derby!
That Pack 10 is sharp!
cool when i was a cub scout i won first place twice
That show with the pictures and sounds is amazing!!! Wish we could have one for our pack. I hope you put more shows like that online.
I want to go there!!!!!!