Graphite on tread

[ngyoung]

I have been meaning to ask about this since I first saw it posted on Pinewood Derby Times. Looking through the archives of the forum I saw more then one person say the MV graphite wheels are junk. I was wondering if anyone tried this experiment with their own wheels. From the post they found more speed when adding graphite to the tread. The biggest effect though was from adding it to the inner edge. I am also suspicious that the better times may also be effected from breaking in and reapplying graphite.

Scouts will be starting up again around here soon. My son has already been brushing up on his shop skills in preparation for this year's race. I have also been digging through all the graphite related posts in the forums since our scout district rules say "graphite only". I know all the old dogs here hate working with the stuff. Just curious if John or anyone else still keeps their ear to the ground to debunk any new claims or any old mythes that start cropping up again.
http://pinewood-derby.blogspot.com/2014/07/graphite-on-tread.html?m=1

 

[Guest]

Dig deep enough and you'll find test results that show grooved axles are slower than non grooved, canted rears are slower than non canted, Tube-o- Lube is faster than Hob-E-Lube and several other tests with results that are the direct opposite of what we encounter firsthand.

That sway that cars sometime encounter may turn into a full on wiggler by having graphite treated tread, the wheels breaking free and sliding as if the car was on a patch of black ice.

 

[Kinser Racing]

Dig deep enough and you'll find test results that show grooved axles are slower than non grooved, canted rears are slower than non canted, Tube-o- Lube is faster than Hob-E-Lube and several other tests with results that are the direct opposite of what we encounter firsthand.

That sway that cars sometime encounter may turn into a full on wiggler by having graphite treated tread, the wheels breaking free and sliding as if the car was on a patch of black ice.

Pine Dog, when I read the first part of this it totally threw me off. /images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif

 

[JCovert]

NG are you asking about the MV graphite or their wheels