Don't be left in the dark. This leather holster keeps your flashlight handy.
When the race is over, enter the winner's circle by building this display for your pinewood derby or model car.
i need a simple project to do that can be a decoration for your room.thoughts?ideas?i need some.
I think these are all great. These thibgs could really come in handy in the northern part of the U.S.
To close out our 100th birthday year, here's a glimpse of some BL projects from decades past.
You can also use the turkey neck bones to make a cool dragon woggle. There are seven neck bones, cook and clean like the other bone cleaning directions. Use one neck bone, add two beads for eyes, while the rest looks like a dragon face. Glue to pvc pipe.
Native Americans crafted turkey calls and necklaces from turkey bones. Put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with these projects.
I just got back from winter Survival campout in McCall, ID, and I really wish I had snowshoes. Definitely keep in mind for next year.
Attach to foot (boot or shoe) using bungee cords, rope, Velcro or other materials. For best results, attachment method will be similar to an ankle brace bandage
Webelos Scouts in the Daniel Boone Council in North Carolina follow these steps when making their snowshoes.
This is the really hard version of a really easy rope-making process.
cool, but I want to know how to make a key chain the same way
I tried it (it ain’t easy) but it’s worth a try.
American Indians made rope and twine (cordage) using natural fibers from trees, plants and animals. You can make cordage using common materials found around the house or at the hobby store. Here are some ideas to get you started.
My dad made me one and then made more for the other kids in my family because it is so great. Large, and doesn’t take a very long time to make.
The list is missing the legs…. I’m starting the desk today.
No, it is not missing the legs, you probably misread it but it is missing a gusset
Jeffery and David did a great job with the plans. Turned out rock solid and beautiful. Finally have a nice place for all my Scout stuff.
How long do you estimate this project to ttake for someone with moderate to good skills?
The desk turned out really nice. I want to see the come out for directions to build a entertainment center or a dog house!!!!
Build your own desk with a tray for your computer keyboard, shelves and even a secret drawer.
This is a great idea! I really like longboards, but building one is a lot cooler.
i alwas wanted a long board so i really hope i can do this
“(0.0)”
R A W R
If you cut 2 groves in the bottom of the board and then use some very strong wood glue put 2 peices of wood that are the length of the board in the groves this will make your board way stronger and will last you a long time.
i have got that book. its awesome!
i just don’t know were to get those super wide trucks
My friend bought an awesome longboard. The one you build just might break.
Brings back memories. Mine was about 41/2 feet. I used my brothers short board for the pattern and ripped off, I mean used, the trucks and wheels from my sisters short board. It was a rush. Great Memeories. Thanks
Todd Davis, author of "Handy Dad," offers step-by-step instructions for creating your own skate longboard. With a little work, you can be carving back and forth across the blacktop in no time.
this seems like a very interesting project i will for sure have to try it out once i get the materials! 
<3LOVE ME
this seems like a very interesting project i will for sure have to try it out once i get the materials
i have built it with my cub scouts and they did work with time and patience!!!!
i like this… it is to bad i do not have what i need. 
I got all the materials and cut everything to size, i just have to assemble it.
i built one that can hold over 200 pounds for the science fair
Make a fun flying vehicle with stuff found around your house.
mine i just put other stuff in mine to make it move and it did
I want to make 1 or 2. if 2, i will make 1 boy & 1 girl
My robots name is G.I.R which stands for genetic infrared robot at least I call it that.
I’M GONNA MAKE IT LOOK DANGEROUS,COOL,AND GONNA NAME IT D-9 R-5!!!!!
(DESTRUCTO-9 RAMPAGE-5)
This is so cool!!!!! I am going to build one . I will customise it and make it look like it is for war. Then I will take it to school for a science project
I like the idea im making one for the blue & gold this year
For decades, Boys' Life readers have built their own GISMO robots. This month, we introduce GISMO 5. Yes, GISMO is back and has gone green!
With these ice-fishing tip-ups, you'll always know when you have a bite.
yeah, i used that design last year, i think im going to try something a bit different this year though
my bad….. i’d like to use that pumpkin for halliween.
Wow, that looks really cool. The only problem is it doesn’t look like a classicaly carved jack-o-lantern. Luv it but I’ll stick to the old fashioned way
I think you are a great pumpkin carver! I what to make jack-o-lanterns just like you!
That looks awsome the way he made it . It almost looks real .
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. thx alot. i think ill do the peanut guy.
Thanks!!! I Think I will use this info for this Halloween. You’ve been a big help giving me a heads up on what to do for a pumpkin carving.
im a second class scout and i would like that to be a merit badge!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 3-D looks better than those designs you get in carving kits.
Halloween is tomorrow. So it is time to carve your pumpkins!
Remember knife safety. Always maintain control and only cut what you want.
I look forward to seeing Scout-carved pumpkins. Sure you guys will do a great job.
Happy Carvings…
You are awesome.You also do a great job on carving pumpkins.Show more pictures of pumpkins that you have carved.I also have fun at Halloween and growing pumpkins.
Some of them look weird 
and creepy. 8) (Insert Halloween music here.)
At the fair i went to today i saw professional pumpkin and wood carvers one of them said he had been doing it for 8 years and he said that wood and pumpkin are both hard in their “own ways”!!!!
oh my gosh ur pumpkins are amazing if i could do that i would definetly carve a pumpkin everyday
Glad you folks like the site.
Once you clean out the pumpkin, you see how much depth you have to work with. You then make cuts to create an illusion of depth (like Shrek) without going through unless you want to (eyes, open part of mouth, etc). Agree the overalls are a bit dorky, but they fit the theme and get me in places most people can’t.
Be carefull with your knives, I look forward to seeing some of your carvings!
i love how you carve the pumpkins.This year im going to try it i cant wait.I wish i was as good as you.
The googly eyes are prety cool. Remember, he’s been doing this for about 20 years so I guess he’s had a ton of practice. Keep carving and Happy Haloween when it comes.
i love your work it is a master peaze.and i love halloween.
That is soooo amazing. I wish I could do that. I’ll try this year. I can;s WAIT!!! (even tho it wont be as good as his.)
this website is wickedly sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like his overalls and I’m going to use his advice.
oramge overalls are dorky, but the punkin carving is really cool. It like how he does the warts.
Crazyboy is right. how do you do that!?!?!?!?!?!?
I don’t know how he can do this!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!
I totally enjoyed the magazine article and this workshop article. I can’t wait to try out Farmer Mike’s ideas myself!
How about using a cold light source such as a chemical light stick or one of those LED “tea light candles” The latter cost about $1.50 each, use a replacable Lithium coin cell, and come in a choice of colors including one that changes colors including red, yellow, green, blue, purple and white in one light.
World-class pumpkin carver Farmer Mike shows you how to carve a creative jack-o'-lantern.
i just want to make the rain gauge, but I’m still saving this to my favorites list
but,,,,,,on the other hand it will help me with school so…i guess its ok !!!!!
What a great idea on the anemometer! We are studying weather in our after school club. What is the formula to calculate the number of spins for wind speed?
Wow, great timing! We JUST got notice that we have to make a weather instrument as a project for school!
Work toward your Weather merit badge by completing these weather-related projects.
i used these almost to a t an my son won every heat and the whole regatta, hands down. First time ever racing, he even beat the older scouts. Follow these and you’ll have a winner!
we race in a couple weeks. these directions are way better than the bogus box ‘directions’…that do not even show keel and rudder placement clearly. thanks! 
We gotta win this race, even though we don’t know how to do it.
My boy won 1st place with this design. This is a keeper for future regattas! Thanks a bunch.
No, it’s not all about winning, but if you have your son participate in the construction of the boat and he demonstrates good sportsmanship and has fun while racing, winning aint a bad way to end the day! By the way we followed these instructions and came in 1st!
We did this. I hope it meets regulations. The instructions in the box have the keel and rudder separated further apart. I know we cannot add weight at the back which would help to steady the boat. We also put in a small groove for the rudder and keel otherwise they kept slipping during the gluing. They only give a trophy for first place and a medal for a second, so it would be nice to at least come in second. But we’re good sports either way. It was fun to make it.
i am going to look at the instructions on this website and hope to win
i am sending the person who made this flowers
my race is in 4 days and i havent started making my boat!
i am to try this
My 8 year old bear came in first place after we used these instructions. My only suggestion would be to carve some thin grooves into the bottom where you put the keel and the rudder so they will hold in place better when you glue them.
We did great!! Followed your instructions. First time racer and came in 2nd place for Webelos. Ran out of air after 5 races. Very happy.
This seems like it might work. but my friend won last year and he didn’t do any of this except for the sanding. he didn’t even blow like it says here. I try this way anyway though.
I tried your tips on my sons boat and they work great.He won 2nd place the first time he had tried it. Thanks
You don’t make holes for the rudder and Keel just glue them on the bottom????
In step 5, to “glue” the rudder and keel to the boat, try “Liquid Nails” adhesive. Best wishes!
My son won 1st in his first pinewood derby. His hopes were high for his first raingutter regatta. We were unable to track down a kit until the day before the race. We chose not to use the instructions in the box but to use this site! WOW. He took 2nd place. We were thrilled. The first place winners boat looked the same. We asked the parents and they came to this site also! Ours were the only two boats that looked the same. The rest used the instructions from the box. THANK YOU my son is thrilled.
We used these directions. My son was in his 1st regatta as a Tiger Scout. He beat everyone, including the Webelos, to finish as the Grand Champion. There was a total of 52 boys competing. Thank you. Highly recommend.
For this year’s Regatta, I installed drain valves on the ends of our gutters. I used a standard 1/2″ boiler drain, sink spray nut, large rubber washer and lots of silicone caulking all found at HomeDepot. Simply drill a 7/8″ hole in the gutter ends with a hole saw. Install drain with silicone and tighten nut. This made draining our gutters into buckets soooo much easier than last year, when we had a flood on the cafeteria floor. Use this tip, it works great. Enjoy.
In answer to the question on raingutter regatta water track, we use regular raingutters, capped on both ends, for our tracks. They work really slick…
The BSA How To Book will give you the instructions on making the Raingutter Regatta Course.
Are there any Cub scout regulations that I will need to follow? or does this “raingutter regatta” meet all cub scout regs?
Say does anyone have instructions to making the raingutter water track? Need it ASAP
This boat is awesome. It was a bit of complicated project (especially since I had to do it with my little brother who thinks painting is tipping the paint jar over my head), but the hard work was completely worth it. Now, over the summer I’ll have something to do when my family goes to the beach- race boats with my brother. I have a feeling I’ll win, though,because my brother is only 4. He probably won’t make a very good boat captain, but he will be really annoying one!
-Later, dudes!
I Am a boy scout, but this is a great ship, not as fast as a P38 Lightning, but you can maybe win every race with this.
A winning raingutter racer stays on an even keel, moves in a straight line, keeps the bow above water and does not drag. If your boat does all this, it finishes ahead of any boat that can't. Here's how to build your winner.
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 am a WeblosII and I am so sad because today was my last pinewood derby.
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
Thanks for the tips! I’m sure with them I won’t lose.
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
you know this worked thanks and Merry Christmas
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!
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.
There are many ways to make your pinewood derby car go faster. Here are some of them.
As a single mom, I can say THANK YOU, this really helped me out
I am a single mom, and this is our first pinewood derby. I have no idea how to even start, so this is very helpful!
singlemom,
There is nothing wrong with asking one of the other parents in the Den or Troop for help. We can’t learn if we are not taught and that is part of what Scouting is about.
Some boys don’t have a role model to show them this stuff, so braedenre10, no not everyone knows these steps. I’m happy to read this post as a dad!
After the first smooth sanding, wipe the block with a damp cloth to raise the grain and then sand again.
A smoother finish may be had by sanding in the direction of the wood’s grain, instead of against the grain.
Good point about sanding with the grain. I think that a lot of people would assume that people already know this, but depending on how much woodworking someone has had, they might not. I learned it myself when I was 11 in Orioles. But no one ever told my husband. If I hadn’t known then our boys wouldn’t have known. It’s like cutting meat “across the grain” to make more tender cuts of meat. It seems obvious, but unless you’ve been told then you don’t know it.
i can use this in a lot of ways my awana car and for fun
everybody knows these steps! even boys that are my age know this! >:(
Make that block of wood look like steel with these pinewood derby painting tips.
My son is 7 and I homeschool him. They say boys learn better from outdoors up to age 10-11. How perfect is this??!! Thanx. =0)
It’s not all that gross it’s the handaling the dead bugs part that makes it gross.
It looks cool but I thingnk if I do it I’ll just look for ones that are all ready dead
Thats pretty neat…I could do that! I wonder if theres a badge for it.
This article came in real handy, because it helped me get a good grade on my science project.
We see these at our state fair. Some of the bugs people find are amazing!
They might annoy us or amaze us, but there's no question about it: Bugs are an essential part of the natural order of things. Here's how to make your own nature museum to display them.
my friend made this and it was very confusing and cool IM SERIOUS :O
alot of people say it dosen’t work or is hard to build i’m not even going to try this
i have built one before: its fun only for a while, then i threw it out, didn’t seem so fun after all.
when i looked at the directions it said you can only see wood……BORING p.s. they lied.
i’l try this and bring it to school to play with it
Made it way harder than it has to be, dont have to really build build it!
cool i’m gonna make it for my friends birthday tomarow
hi its me again im going to build this so i can get an A
This looks so tricky I’m not even going to try to build it.
This looks interesting…. Maybe my uncle who is a carpenter can help me out….
This looks fun. I’m going to try to build it during summer.
If you stop making cool things like that,IM GONNA DIE!!!!!I NEED THIS WEBSITE!!!!
this website rules!!!!!! dont stop working on it.
Making a periscope from wood and a few pieces of mirror is easier than you might think. Here are plans and instructions for a periscope more than two feet long—just what you want for heavy-duty secret agent work.
For the MOMS ROCK project how about using sea glass!!
I realy like the photo case thing (Even though my mom is allergic to ALL nuts) and the secret safe thing too.
The boys will enjoy making these for mom
In my opinion I think these are great ways to go green and great gifts for mothers too
its realy intersting for me that there is mother day in other countries except iran
You can usually find whole walnuts at grocery stores, more likely during the Christmas holiday shopping season, but you might find some now.
I really like the power flower thing * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
That secret safe thing would be the perfect way to hide things from my brother, but could I use some thing besides dried beans…..
How about using stones, or shells for kids to hide things from their siblings in thier bedroom!! Mom can use elbow macaroni, dad could use pennies/loose change, or nuts and bolts!!
I realy like the photo case thing (Even though my mom is allergic to ALL nuts) and the secret safe thing too.
Nice ideas!!! These will be great for Mother’s Day!!!!!
Neat ideas! The boys will enjoy making these for mom. Thank you..
Mother’s Day is coming up. Show your mom just how great she is by making her a gift inspired by Mother Nature herself! Topped off with a homemade card, it will be a present Mom will never forget.
i am trying to do this and it is turning out to be awesome!!
I bet this would work for DI (Destination Imagination) pins
This is a good way I think to display my past leadership position patches, past rank patches, and all of my other various patches from trips with my troop. I could also put my Den Chief Service award ropes and some service stars… Thumbs up for a great display!
this will be good for my badges.I’m going to use a douel instead of twigs.
hey kman, I think it said in the article it was invented by indians
where do you put the badges and pins on my uniform
I think that is a cool invention.I wish I knew who invented that.
AWESOME! But i really wanna have my badges and patches on my uniform
Perfect, especially for my Weblos pins and badges. (I don’t need them any more).
i got the materials for this and my mom agreed ! best project
This is one of the projects listed in the cub scout Bear book, except the leather is cut into the shape of an animal hide, the dowels are sticks collected from the out of doors, and they are supposed to tie the corners without using screws.
My son made one in Webelos to put all his Cub scout stuff on when he switched from the blue uniform to the tan uniform. it is a nice display on his wall. He may make another one to put all his boy scout patches on once he obtains his Eagle–he’s almost Life now.
WOW! THAT IS COOL. I just went to Camporee and got a patch. Ill use that
i might do this thanks it would be nice for my boyscouts paches
this will be perfect for my brothers hatpin colection
Show off your patches and other stuff with this rustic “hide rack” display.
I goggled….Where to buy food grade rain barrels in my state and found a great source less than two blocks from my work!
I made one of these two years ago and I cannot use the water fast enough! I love it and have yet to have problems with Mosquitos. I use the water on my flower beds, vegetable garden, and have a bottle of camp soap on it to wash my hands too!
If you gather rain off your roof, be aware the water that runs over any shingles or tar will be full of nastiness not recommended for food growing. grass, probably ok.
Great project – wish we’d thought of it – we bought a commercially built water barrel. Standing water may allow mosquitoes to breed – get some beneficial bacteria mosquito control rings at your garden or home improvement center. The bacteria eat the mosquito larvae. The screening alone may not prevent mosquitoes … and you don’t want to potentially spread disease like West Nile.
hey to prevent that stuff getting in the baRREL PUT AFEW layers of tightly woven screen over the hole then it will filter out the bad stuff so the you can use it for growing
yeah just put a screen on it and some fertilizer in and good water but you should use a bucket to water the flowers
dear sparky, it wouldnt rust if it were staneless steal
this is great!My MoM and DaD are going to make this this summer.
One problem, Mission Viejo dosen’t get much rain!
Great project. I built one. How about a hovercraft project?
You can also contact a local car wash owner, they get soap and water treatment in large blue barrels. Most of these barrels are not the lidded style though. But that works out fine for a water barrel. Just clean it well I recomend letting watter sit in it for several days after a good clean then dumping it. (sometimes the soaps and treatment leech into the plastic).
I bet lowes as some barrels cause after all lowes knows
I would love to conserve water, but this is a lot tougher than it sounds. Be careful on this one… it’s super tricky!
This is a great project guys! It may take a little time and effort to get the stuff to do it, but ask your parents or another adult for help and it will be much easier to get the parts.
Car washes, restaurants, pickle processors all will have these barrels. Just look around. You’ll be surprised.
You can get your rain barrel at a full service car wash.
Im going to start to build this today. What a way to conserve water!!!!
this is really cool i never thought to do this this is a really good idea i really like it. i am going to build one for my family
Wow! Sounds great! Mabey I can make one in less a hour!
wow maybe i can get my awesome troop leader to get my aesome troop members to do this
this is a great project.yes , i am green.i agree w/higuy-where will i get a barrel?
Conserve water by collecting rainwater and using it for your garden or lawn.
Love the pinewood derby? Want tips for making your pinewood derby car go faster? Looking for ideas for an amazing pinewood derby design?
Make a penny dance on a glass pop bottle.
Choose a realistic F-22 Raptor or a simple Dart-like paper airplane, customize the paint job, add decals and then print it out. Before you know it, you'll be catching big air.
cool