Drilling before or after weight pockets?

[Guest]

Hey All, I've been reading different opinions on this topic. So I wanted to get a general concensus from the top PRO guys. When drilling your canted rear wheels which is the preferred method, drill your holes first and then cutting out the weight pockets or cut out the weight pockets and then drill your holes. It seems some think that drilling before cutting the hole will shift the holes while your cutting the weight pockets. Does it really make that much of a difference. As always thank you for your input on this topic

 

[IAE Racing]

As you now, I'm no pro yet but after just learning and doing I think I would stick with drilling first. Slide test wheels on. check on tuning board. If it checks out, then cut weight slots. No need to cut the slots if you made a bad drill job.

 

[Spirit Racing]

If you have confidence in drilling your axle holes. Proven good over and over. Do your weight pockets first then drill. I think the "Godfather" does this !! He maybe will chime in and back me up on this. I remember reading a post on this a while back, from "The Man"

....SPIRIT......

 

[ZZ Racing]

I always cut weight pockets first then drill.

 

[Chief]

I purchase mine from DD4H...that way they seem to be done all at the same time HAHAHA

its just magic!

 

[aircooled]

I make my weight pockets first and then drill.

 

[Resophonic Racing]

I used to drill my axle holes then route my weight pockets. I did this for the first 3 years I league raced. I switched to weight pockets first then drilling axle holes about a year ago. Being that the alignment of the car is most important thing, dilling after the weight pocket seems like the best practice. The little things make a difference.

 

[IAE Racing]

I think I'll be routing my weight pockets first from now on.

 

[GravityX]

Here is my thought process on this. If the weight pockets are cut out first I would make sure that I pre-fit the pinewood block into the Silver Bullet first. As you know, some "slices" of pine are "just a bit" wider than others.

In my way of thinking if the pockets are cut first and then fit into the bullet without relieving the sides of the pine, the wood could become distorted and throw your drilling/cant off by "X" amount. So, if you cut pockets first, fit the pine to the bullet first, then cut out the pockets.

Oh yeah... I typically drill first and then cut out the weight pockets. I think what you'll find here is a 50/50 split on what to do first. My guess is whatever works best for you and is the easiest to replicate time and time again.

 

[g.o.racing]

howdy 007

either way you do it make sure the pine wood is sitting flat on the block with out the clamps,if it has a wobble when you clamp it down then drill the holes when you release the clamps the holes will move with the wood. I'm sure this is not popular but i don't drill my holes until last thing if they are right then they will stay that way. if they are wrong then start over.... but after all the work you put into a car you would be surprised how meticulous you can be drilling the holes last..

 

[Guest]

Howdy G.O. , your comment about being meticulous at the end brought me to this question. My last little mistake I routed right through my stinking axle holes by mistake. But, it got me thinking about how much shifting is going on when I'm routing out the pockets after I've already drilled the holes. Also, what GravityX said about making sure the pine fits the Bullet first properly is always key too. So Thanks guys for the input as well as the other members. Good stuff. If anyone else has opinion on this please share. Thanks

Quote:
howdy 007

either way you do it make sure the pine wood is sitting flat on the block with out the clamps,if it has a wobble when you clamp it down then drill the holes when you release the clamps the holes will move with the wood. I'm sure this is not popular but i don't drill my holes until last thing if they are right then they will stay that way. if they are wrong then start over.... but after all the work you put into a car you would be surprised how meticulous you can be drilling the holes last..