Cars are ready for Saturday!

DR650SE

Pack Champion
Feb 2, 2019
18
6
3
43
VIrginia
My son and I got his car done over the last week. I also built a car for my daughter and myself to race in the siblings and family races. Part of me feels bad. I think we're going to dominate. Cars seem alighted well. Currently all weigh 138g/139g (4.9oz).

Axles are all polished to 5k grit (wet sand) and then polished with a wet leather strap. All are 3 wheeling and set as rail riders. We have no rules regarding bent axles but must use BSA wheels, though colored wheels from the scout store are approved.

Sons car has tungsten plates inbedded in the back of the car. We then covered them with wood filler, then sanded and painted over for a clean look. Only visible wieght is an imbeded tungsten plate that was painted with a sticker of his name in the back, like a license plate.


The only things we didn't really do is shave the wheels or work on the wheels at all. But all should ride the rail with slightly canted rear wheels (~2.5°).

Here's an album I put together, and a preview pic below.

https://imgur.com/a/rlf4XPN
riRTmDu.jpg
 
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From the looks of it your wheel gaps look large. Any idea what they are set at?

No real idea. I figured thy were a bit large as well but figured it'd be OK, and at worst narrow the competition gap a bit. Probably would be a good lesson if my son lost a race or two. I already feel a tad guilty and think all cars will probably be undefeated. I don't think anyone else in the pack gets as excited for Pinewood derby as we do,but I hope theirs some competition. Not sure anyone else polishes or bends axles. Hopefully thier a grandfather out there that does!

I also don't think we send anyone else to a district race. Last year my son won all his races and managed second in the pack. Not sure how it worked, but he had a blast. Maybe this year we can join a district race.
 
No real idea. I figured thy were a bit large as well but figured it'd be OK, and at worst narrow the competition gap a bit. Probably would be a good lesson if my son lost a race or two. I already feel a tad guilty and think all cars will probably be undefeated. I don't think anyone else in the pack gets as excited for Pinewood derby as we do,but I hope theirs some competition. Not sure anyone else polishes or bends axles. Hopefully thier a grandfather out there that does!

I also don't think we send anyone else to a district race. Last year my son won all his races and managed second in the pack. Not sure how it worked, but he had a blast. Maybe this year we can join a district race.
Leave nothing to chance!! You may have someone gunning for you and not even know it. My daughter took second the first two years.........then she looked at me with those big puppy eyes and said "daddy, I want to win next year!" It was on like donkey kong!! Just beware and never leave easy speed on the table.
 
Leave nothing to chance!! You may have someone gunning for you and not even know it. My daughter took second the first two years.........then she looked at me with those big puppy eyes and said "daddy, I want to win next year!" It was on like donkey kong!! Just beware and never leave easy speed on the table.

Damn, lol. Now that you put it like that, I'm going to close up those gaps. They'll just eat away the kinetic energy. Plus I share all the tips too with the other dads. Tomorrow I'm helping setup the track and make sure it's all working well. Test it with a few runs too and I'm taking plenty of supplies to help others if needed. Some screws to dial in wieght, drill and a cheap jig of anyone has axle slots that split. Ect. Obviously won't be polishing axles but I'll share some graphite :)
 
Leave nothing to chance!! You may have someone gunning for you and not even know it. My daughter took second the first two years.........then she looked at me with those big puppy eyes and said "daddy, I want to win next year!" It was on like donkey kong!! Just beware and never leave easy speed on the table.


I'm with Ryan close them up, who knows what happens. A good starting point is .015" which is half the thickness of a credit card. You can go less but that's a good starting point.
 
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Thanks guys! We had a successful day! Son was 1st in his den and 4th in the pack. Daughter was 1st in the family race. My car did well, I think 3rd but I had them scratch me from the results. Wanted somone else to get the trophy/medal. For me it was just for the fun of it. I tried to close the gaps, but didn't try too hard. I had difficulty getting the nails in deeper and didn't want to risk splitting the wood. That's a lesson learned for next year! Now on to post a separate thread on wheel wobble!