the car is roughed out:
pinewood derby vette...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
look at the axles pins...there are burrs...file the burrs and then polish the axles
when done. spray silicone on the pins. Don't forget to put some ball bearings for weight
when done. spray silicone on the pins. Don't forget to put some ball bearings for weight
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
slightly front load the weight too. Go in heavy and take a drill to the weigh in.
Our first year...I thought the kids were supposed to do the cars....we got ran over. I told myself.....ill give them a derby car next year they wont believe....we took city with it.
Its all about squaring the axel axis...polish the $hit out of the pins. Bath it in graphite dust from a lock shop. OH and rounding the wheels on a lathe or use a drill.
Make us vette people proud. Let us know how you do.
Our first year...I thought the kids were supposed to do the cars....we got ran over. I told myself.....ill give them a derby car next year they wont believe....we took city with it.
Its all about squaring the axel axis...polish the $hit out of the pins. Bath it in graphite dust from a lock shop. OH and rounding the wheels on a lathe or use a drill.
Make us vette people proud. Let us know how you do.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
slightly front load the weight too. Go in heavy and take a drill to the weigh in.
Our first year...I thought the kids were supposed to do the cars....we got ran over. I told myself.....ill give them a derby car next year they wont believe....we took city with it.
Its all about squaring the axel axis...polish the $hit out of the pins. Bath it in graphite dust from a lock shop. OH and rounding the wheels on a lathe or use a drill.
Make us vette people proud. Let us know how you do.
Our first year...I thought the kids were supposed to do the cars....we got ran over. I told myself.....ill give them a derby car next year they wont believe....we took city with it.
Its all about squaring the axel axis...polish the $hit out of the pins. Bath it in graphite dust from a lock shop. OH and rounding the wheels on a lathe or use a drill.
Make us vette people proud. Let us know how you do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
As I recall, one of the many gofast tricks was to take a lathe to the wheels to make them thinner, thus providing less surface area in contact with the track and less rolling resistance. This requires skill well beyond the 3rd grade level! 
Also, there is a weight limit and most of the cars will have weights added to put the car exactly at the limit. Cheaters will try to devise ways to add weight after the weigh-in. I remember one year the beotch den momma in charge had a faulty scale that was weighing too high so she forced kids to dig weights out of their cars!
Also, there is a weight limit and most of the cars will have weights added to put the car exactly at the limit. Cheaters will try to devise ways to add weight after the weigh-in. I remember one year the beotch den momma in charge had a faulty scale that was weighing too high so she forced kids to dig weights out of their cars!
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 402
Likes: 7
From: Space Coast Florida
I won that one year.. My dad didn't want to do it for me, he just "suggested" what to do, and then told me to do it or I'd lose 
Remember, paint it red... It makes it look faster going down the ramp
Remember, paint it red... It makes it look faster going down the ramp
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 706
Likes: 30
From: Pitman NJ
I did these for a few years with my sons. Here is what 'we' did, and we took 1st place 2 out of 4 years.
I listed them in order of importance
1. Polish the axels by putting them in a drill. They should look like a mirror when done.(Graphite)
2 Lower one of the front wheels, so that only 3 are touching, 1 front and 2 back. (graphite)
3. Go to the max weight 5oz. I made the balance point about 1" in front of the rear wheels. (graphite)
4. The wheels need to be close enought to the body so they don't drag, but far enough away so they don't chatter. Don't paint the body next to the wheels, it may gum up. (graphite)
5 DON'T put weight on the bottom. It may drag on the track. (graphite)
6 Make sure the car rolls as straight as possible (Graphite)
6 Use plenty of graphite.
I listed them in order of importance
1. Polish the axels by putting them in a drill. They should look like a mirror when done.(Graphite)
2 Lower one of the front wheels, so that only 3 are touching, 1 front and 2 back. (graphite)
3. Go to the max weight 5oz. I made the balance point about 1" in front of the rear wheels. (graphite)
4. The wheels need to be close enought to the body so they don't drag, but far enough away so they don't chatter. Don't paint the body next to the wheels, it may gum up. (graphite)
5 DON'T put weight on the bottom. It may drag on the track. (graphite)
6 Make sure the car rolls as straight as possible (Graphite)
6 Use plenty of graphite.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Great thread. Makes me wonder just how sick of a pinewood vette it's possible to come up with. Agree it's about having fun, but here's hoping you and yours have that little bit more fun than the competition. Definitely post up...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
BTW-It's looking good!
Also ALL 4 wheels must touch the surface, not 3. Another reason for a disqualification. Again, I saw it happen.
Good luck.
Glenn
Last edited by GD70; Jan 9, 2009 at 08:52 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: PASADENA MARYLAND
I agree ...use the graphite ...it worked on my sons car..he won every round ...
And yes ..red IS a faster color .....
But most of all have fun ......My son is over 30yrs old now, but it seems like that pine wood derby race was only yesterday ....
And yes ..red IS a faster color .....
But most of all have fun ......My son is over 30yrs old now, but it seems like that pine wood derby race was only yesterday ....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
Number one thing is enjoy the time with your kids. Thing I use to do that helped was to under cut the axles just a little and keep undercut narrower than the width of wheels, reduces friction and adds pocket for graphite. Have a blast and good luck. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Time with the kiddies is #1, of course.... but put some teflon "hub caps" on the ends of the axles so speed isn't scrubbed when it hits a side wall. Also, make those caps slightly shorter in back than in front, so that the car will steer away from the wall if it does contact it. Good luck..and have lots of FUN!!!