Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Pack 802Pinewood Derby Clinic
12/9/01
by Scott Hamilton, Jeff Tobia & Mike Van Meter
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Introductions
Scott• Winner of Pack 637 Pinewood Derby in
1971• With trophy to prove it!
Jeff• Creator of Pinewood Derby Clinic concept
Mike• Helped design last year’s 2nd place car
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Overview of Pinewood Derby
Parent/son project
Build the car• Follow the rules!
Register and try out the car• Saturday morning registration
– Cars are weighed in and checked for conformance to the rules
Race• Saturday afternoon race
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
How to Build a Car
Buy one (or more) kits• Pack meeting
– Pack gets a portion of the proceeds
• Macalou’s• Council
Design it• Determine if you will be competing in:
– Speed competition, design competition or both
• Design first on paper• Then on wood
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Shape it• Whittle• Belt sander• Band saw• Wood plane• Rasp• Sandpaper
How to Build a Car
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Bring to race weight• Weigh with wheels/axles/decorations (don’t
forget paint will add a little)• Lighten it
– Drilling– Hollowing
• Make it heavier– Lead tape– Fishing weights– Washers– Weight kits from cub store/hobby shop
How to Build a Car
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Decorate it• Sand• Primer• Sand• Paint/stain• Sand• Seal
– Polyurethane
• Add stickers/decals– Available at Macalou’s
• Tape
How to Build a Car
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Decorate it (cont’d)• Glue-on:
– Model parts– Figurines– Fenders
Nail/groove treatments
Attach wheels/axles• Sand edges• Glue axles to body
– Don’t want the wheels coming off in the middle of a race
How to Build a Car
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Lubricate car• Graphite• Teflon white lube
Weigh it again
How to Build a Car
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Rules Overview
Technical rules
How heats are run
Design awards
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Axle grooves• Straight• Rear of car selected so that rear axle
groove is closest to the rear
Weight• Heavier is better
– Weight limit is typically 5.0 oz
• Further back is better– But not so far back that car becomes unstable
Aerodynamics count!
Design Tips - Use At Your Own Risk!
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
Reduce all sources of friction• Track to wheel• Wheel to axle• Wheel to body
Car should roll straight• Check by rolling on floor or table
Design Tips - Use At Your Own Risk!
Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01
In Conclusion
Start to build your car earlier rather than later
Have fun building the car with your Scout
Follow the rules to avoid problems at registration
Enjoy the competitions• Speed and design• Emphasize good sportsmanship
Who needs help?
Top Related