BSA rules and recommendation

[Adam Jones]

I am new to this hobby. Of course I have done a few pinewood derby races with my son in scouts and found working on the car was very relaxing. In starting up I have a few questions...

I want to stay within the BSA rules and was wondering if the block of wood needs to be any particular species of wood, if not what would be a good recommendation? I read that sugar pine is very good to use, but I am not sure if that would make the car illegal for our Cub scout races.

I have also ready monokote or ultracoat are better than painting. Is there one that is better than the other? Can anyone recommend an iron for application?

 

[TRE]

i use the monokote trim sheets..they have sticky back

 

[Nyst]

One thing you will find is that rules vary by pack/district/council. One district may allow oil and axle modifications, while another only allows the manufacturing burrs under the nail heads of the axle nail to be removed.

So the answer to your question about what wood to use would really depend on the published rules for your pack/district/council. For example, here is an excerpt from our district rules on what block is acceptable. We are only allowed to use the block that came in the BSA kit.

• For the traditional cars, each Cub Scout must use the current Cub Scout Pinewood Derby kit issued by the pack from the Scout Shop.
• For the traditional cars, only the block of wood that comes with the kit is allowed for making the car’s body. The wheels and nails may come from the kit or from a BSA approved set.​

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

i use the monokote trim sheets..they have sticky back

+1.
Those Trim sheets are cheap and weightless at this size/application. Don’t go anywhere near your cars body with an iron if you are doing a light weight ladder set up or in general.