Building a poor rail runner vs not rail running at all?

[92hatchattack]

Hey guys, This I think is a fairly straight forward question. I am thinking about picking up a silver bullet for next year and taking a shot at building a rail runner. I am probably not the kind of guy that will go through 20 blocks practicing and trying to absolutely perfect the drilling techniques. I will most likely practice on two or three blocks and then have a crack at the final pinewood derby car.

My question is, is it better to build an amateur rail runner that might not be perfect, or best to just not rail run at all? How much time would I be looking at gaining going from a non rail runner to a block drilled with the silver bullet with the rears camber and fdw axle bent for steering?

Thanks guys!

 

[IAE Racing]

Couldn't tell you between a great non rail runner and a poor rail runner, but there would still be a gain. By the carbide bit also. don't have to spend a lot of money practicing. Just find some light scraps at the lumber yard if you don't have any, and cut to the correct shape. I've done this for nothing. If your down to your last race and rules allow, just buy a predrilled block. I do know a poorly drilled block will do well if your trying to come in last in league racing.

 

[92hatchattack]

We have two years left. Yesterday we were pack champions without rail running and the races werent even close. (Not saying our car was setup great, because it wasnt. But our pack isnt super competative. Some basic COM and axle polishing will usualy do the trick)

I'm less worried about winning and more than anything else I want to show myself and everyone else that we can build an even faster car than this years. May even talk to my son about trying to wipe the floor in our ranks first three runs and pulling out from the last race to give someone else a chance to win. (We have won our rank group 3 years in a row now) But thats a decision he will have to make.

So since our goal was to win the pack championship at least once we have met that goal. I will not use a non BSA pre drilled block. I want to play 100% inside our rules and our rules state bsa block. It was a hard enough choice to use John's wheels, but it did fall 100% inside our rule set as they were official BSA wheels still.

 

[IAE Racing]

Where you want to see what YOU can accomplish, then go for it, get the block and do it. It never hurts to raise the bar on yourself.

 

[sondo007]

If Goat Boy was still selling his drill fixture that is the way to go, for what you looking to do. His tool will allow you drill the rear cant by hand and it has the ability to drill the front straight and 1 side lifted. I would send him an PM or ask John about it. You don't need a drill press and you don't need a drill either.

 

[92hatchattack]

^^^ Dont you understand though?..... this give me a reason to buy a drill press! Thats all us guys are looking for in life really.... a reason to buy a new tool!

 

[sondo007]

^^^ Dont you understand though?..... this give me a reason to buy a drill press! Thats all us guys are looking for in life really.... a reason to buy a new tool!

Your right my mistake. Silver Bullet all the way. As a matter of fact you might want to invest in a Router, table sander, etc.

LOL, What was I thinking.

 

[92hatchattack]

I've got a router already. What do you guys use a router for in pine wood derby? Seems like a big tool to use on a derby car.

 

[IAE Racing]

BAnd saw, lathe, planer, plasma torch, arc welder..............

I really like the ratcheting box end wrenches. (just tell her its for pwd if needed)

 

[IAE Racing]

Router can be used for weight pockets. I use my drill press though.

 

[92hatchattack]

Ahh, i see. I've been free handing it with the dremel. Was thinking about getting the dremel work station so I could set the height to get an easy uniform cut depth and then just move then block around not worrying about depth. But There is probably very little need for that station if I am thinking of getting a drill press because I assume the same could be done with the press.

 

[Kinser Racing]

...

 

[92hatchattack]

I guess I'll be researching tuning boards as well then.

Can you rail run with 4 wheels on the floor? Or do you have to have 1 wheel up?

 

[Chief]

Ahh, i see. I've been free handing it with the dremel. Was thinking about getting the dremel work station so I could set the height to get an easy uniform cut depth and then just move then block around not worrying about depth. But There is probably very little need for that station if I am thinking of getting a drill press because I assume the same could be done with the press.

The only thing is with the dremel station is that it is light and small, doesnt take up much space which works out for me

 

[sondo007]

I've got a router already. What do you guys use a router for in pine wood derby? Seems like a big tool to use on a derby car.

Do search for PWD and router on you tube. You will see how they use it

 

[92hatchattack]

I've got a fair amount of time till next year, but I am going to throw this out there now.

Do I need a giant full sized stand up drill press to take proper advantage of the silver bullet, or will a tabletop sized one work? I live in an apartment with no garage. I can not house a full sized drill press, but I could make some room for a table top one in the tool closet (Yup, as you guessed by that last statement I am single.... pretty obvious as no married man gets to have a "tool closet") LOL

 

[TRE]

They say small 75.00 one will work.. i have been trying to decide which one to buy

 

[92hatchattack]

They say small 75.00 one will work.. i have been trying to decide which one to buy

I'm sorry, but dumb question. Do you mean a $75 one? Or what does 75.00 mean?

 

[92hatchattack]

I've got a router already. What do you guys use a router for in pine wood derby? Seems like a big tool to use on a derby car.

Do search for PWD and router on you tube. You will see how they use it

Very cool. Build a jig and turn 40 minutes with a dremel by hand into 5 minutes with the jig. I like!

 

[TRE]

drill presses go see my thread..ya sorry 75.00 dollars thats about what a cheap one costs
http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/drill-press-6714062