Just received the DD4H Video

[oskiwow]

In a word, wow. And whoa. And I got some work to do

(Intro: My son is finishing his 3rd year of Cub Scouts.

In his first year of Pinewood Derby, he won his den, and he also won the Open competition. They didn't have an overall pack championship at the time. We largely worked out of the Meade book. In hindsight, we had good axles, but bad wheels.

In his second year of Pinewood Derby, he won his den, and came in 2nd for the overall pack championship. My car came in 2nd in the Open. Our cars that year had good axles and okay wheels, but everything went to pot when at impound my son's car was dropped on the floor by the handlers.

In his third year, we took care to make good axles and good wheels (mold matching, polishing, etc.) and introduced rail riding to our build process. My son won his den and the pack championship. As an experiment, I obtained one of the EZ blocks and used it for a car in our Open competition. Wow.

This coming year will be his final year of Pinewood Derby before moving on to Boy Scouts.

And... I have just begun mining/milking this site for wisdom. I can't believe the camaraderie and openness of this community to share and help. You folks here are incredible.

I owe everyone a beer.

)

-mike

 

[Resophonic Racing]

Well if you are buying, a Killians Red in an Ice Cold Mug is always nice!

Back to the original topic!

That video is the single best resource to get you on the right track.

 

[Quicktimederby]

Don't get discouraged if you don't get the results you were looking for right off. There is a ton to it and to understand. That understanding only comes from trial, error, and testing. The video will get you faster right off, but the great thing about it is the understanding it gives you to continue on in finding more speed. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[oskiwow]

Yeah, I've learned about the trial and error and experimentation. It took awhile to learn that not all wheels are made the same.

I have some time to invest in this hobby, but not alot of $$$. The video was a more than worthwhile investment.

How many others are doing this hobby on a small budget? How do you invest your $$ to race? /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Quicktimederby]

I think that most of us operate on a smaller budget for this hobby. For me the majority of the cost is in the wheels. Axles you buy once tungsten once, and so on. As long as you are super careful with the prep, the wheels will last a good while also. You have to make sure to use care when removing the wheels from the car. One of the best things to prevent wheel damage is to make sure you relieve your axle holes. If the hole is to tight you will warp or break a wheel in no time. Start small 1 or 2 classes figure out how to keep progressing once you do that than you can move on to the next class. A lot of guys run the same car for several months, even years. Once you start proxy it is incredibly fun and interesting to see how you compare.

 

[Quicktimederby]

I forgot the most important thing!!! Buy the best parts! Ask what guys are using and don't wast your money on the stuff that doest work. I have a pile of stuff that I spent a ton of money on that doesn't work on this level.

 

[oskiwow]

Questions, then /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif :

• How long do the DD4H polish kits (wheels and axles both) last? 4-5 cars worth of wheels and axles?
• Drill press -- what do you use? Is the Proxxon bench drill worth the $200+ price tag? Or will a $50 Dremel press suffice? I almost think that I'm probably better off buying DD4H EZ or kit blocks which come pre-shaped and drilled -- I had a good experience with one block already.

I'm already sold that the wheels are a good investment.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

The kits last a long time. The only thing that might need replacing is the polishes. The dremel press will not work.

 

[speed bump]

Ez kits are worth the money! Everything is done right and tuning the car will by breeze.Proxxon is the best but a real good name brand press will do.Just make sure it is level on the press table.The polish kits are #1 and a must have! These have help me alot.