...but its his car...he makes the call on the paint
Pinewood Derby Time!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Nice work. Looking forward to seeing some more pics and keep us posted on how you guys do in the race. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: IL
Cool shape but need more rear weight.
Hollow out as much wood from the bottom of the car. Put the weight at the rear, as far back to keep car from doing a wheelie. May have to drill in body side or pocket area milled or drill in bottom to remove the (wood) weight. Don't just drill from rear and stick weight in (round 3/8" hole) as this does spread out the weight but doesn't give max performance (did it one year and car was slower than previous). Paint the ends of the round weight to look like tail lights, car was correct weight but was not as fast as previous car.
My son's cars have been den and pack champion, it really does work. Our cars feel "heavier" yet are at 5 oz, they weigh about 1.5 oz w/wheels-nails so the rest is weight we move to rear. Behind, over axle and in front of rear wheel for max perf down at the bottom of the track. Cars with weight in this area seem to get a burst of speed past the other cars for the win. Like havin NOS at the last minute. Gave this tip to den leader and his kids cars did much better this year, though still better than my son's car.
Don't forget to clean the nails where tires ride, they're nasty because of the nail head forming process. We used a lathe one year but got similar results using a Dremel and a file and then steps of sandpaper to polish. You can hear the difference after this step and with the grafite..wow!
Try it out and fun!
Good luck!
Hollow out as much wood from the bottom of the car. Put the weight at the rear, as far back to keep car from doing a wheelie. May have to drill in body side or pocket area milled or drill in bottom to remove the (wood) weight. Don't just drill from rear and stick weight in (round 3/8" hole) as this does spread out the weight but doesn't give max performance (did it one year and car was slower than previous). Paint the ends of the round weight to look like tail lights, car was correct weight but was not as fast as previous car.
My son's cars have been den and pack champion, it really does work. Our cars feel "heavier" yet are at 5 oz, they weigh about 1.5 oz w/wheels-nails so the rest is weight we move to rear. Behind, over axle and in front of rear wheel for max perf down at the bottom of the track. Cars with weight in this area seem to get a burst of speed past the other cars for the win. Like havin NOS at the last minute. Gave this tip to den leader and his kids cars did much better this year, though still better than my son's car.
Don't forget to clean the nails where tires ride, they're nasty because of the nail head forming process. We used a lathe one year but got similar results using a Dremel and a file and then steps of sandpaper to polish. You can hear the difference after this step and with the grafite..wow!
Try it out and fun!
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: Tampa FL
Looks good. I'm planning something similar. I have to make 2; I'm thinking one late model and one c3.
You need a front lower airdam to trip to the finish line sooner. I found this out last time around.
You need a front lower airdam to trip to the finish line sooner. I found this out last time around.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Cool shape but need more rear weight.
Hollow out as much wood from the bottom of the car. Put the weight at the rear, as far back to keep car from doing a wheelie. May have to drill in body side or pocket area milled or drill in bottom to remove the (wood) weight. Don't just drill from rear and stick weight in (round 3/8" hole) as this does spread out the weight but doesn't give max performance (did it one year and car was slower than previous). Paint the ends of the round weight to look like tail lights, car was correct weight but was not as fast as previous car.
My son's cars have been den and pack champion, it really does work. Our cars feel "heavier" yet are at 5 oz, they weigh about 1.5 oz w/wheels-nails so the rest is weight we move to rear. Behind, over axle and in front of rear wheel for max perf down at the bottom of the track. Cars with weight in this area seem to get a burst of speed past the other cars for the win. Like havin NOS at the last minute. Gave this tip to den leader and his kids cars did much better this year, though still better than my son's car.
Don't forget to clean the nails where tires ride, they're nasty because of the nail head forming process. We used a lathe one year but got similar results using a Dremel and a file and then steps of sandpaper to polish. You can hear the difference after this step and with the grafite..wow!
Try it out and fun!
Good luck!
Hollow out as much wood from the bottom of the car. Put the weight at the rear, as far back to keep car from doing a wheelie. May have to drill in body side or pocket area milled or drill in bottom to remove the (wood) weight. Don't just drill from rear and stick weight in (round 3/8" hole) as this does spread out the weight but doesn't give max performance (did it one year and car was slower than previous). Paint the ends of the round weight to look like tail lights, car was correct weight but was not as fast as previous car.
My son's cars have been den and pack champion, it really does work. Our cars feel "heavier" yet are at 5 oz, they weigh about 1.5 oz w/wheels-nails so the rest is weight we move to rear. Behind, over axle and in front of rear wheel for max perf down at the bottom of the track. Cars with weight in this area seem to get a burst of speed past the other cars for the win. Like havin NOS at the last minute. Gave this tip to den leader and his kids cars did much better this year, though still better than my son's car.
Don't forget to clean the nails where tires ride, they're nasty because of the nail head forming process. We used a lathe one year but got similar results using a Dremel and a file and then steps of sandpaper to polish. You can hear the difference after this step and with the grafite..wow!
Try it out and fun!
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: Tampa FL
Looks good. I'm planning something similar. I have to make 2; I'm thinking one late model and one c3.
You need a front lower airdam to trip to the finish line sooner. I found this out last time around.
You need a front lower airdam to trip to the finish line sooner. I found this out last time around.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
My son was champion 3 years in a row. One big secret is to have only three wheels touch the track. If you weigh it right and keep one front from touching the ground, you reduce the friction. I may still have the "top secret" plans somewhere. I'll have to look for them. For sure polish the axles and the tires to make them smooth as possible.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
ive got like 5 sitting in my room still. first year was my fastest with my viper knock off. took me a 2nd place position.
after that, i never had the fastest car, didnt even make it into the finals. i did alwasy walk away with the trophey for best of show.
after that, i never had the fastest car, didnt even make it into the finals. i did alwasy walk away with the trophey for best of show.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: McCook Nebraska
The car looks great!! I am 47 years old and don't have dad anymore, but still have the pine wood derby car that he helped me with!! I helped my 2 kids and my 2 nieces with thier's also. They had a blast with them!! 
greg
greg
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Missouri
Wow, that looks sweet. When I was in scouts I had to make my own derby cars. My dad made sure that I didn’t cut off a finger, but that was about it. My favorite part was melting the lead to poor into the holes for the weight. I don’t remember winning many of the competitions, but it was fun to go out there with my car that was a little lopsided and not symmetrical and do OK. We just made fun of the kids whose dads did the work.
