Rookie needs help

[Kinser Racing]

I think, and I say that because I've never had such restrictive rules, is that you should do what DerbyDad4Hire said in his previous post but with all four wheels and narrow each side of the front making a kind of double rail runner. Don't narrow it to much but just do maybe .050" off of each side. That way it's not to tight on the rail. If you can find out if it's a nice Best Track then I might narrow both sides at maybe .065", possibly a little more, making it a bit tighter on the rail. This will keep both rears off of the rail. I'm sure someone may have some experience with this. DD4H probably gets some of these situations so maybe he might chime in here. I hope this helps some. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

Hello,

I also am in need of some expert advice. I am trying to get ready for my 7 year old son's District PWD race. I have to build a new car because the car we built for the Pack race is not allowed in the District race due to the drilled holes for the axles. The rules at the District race state that the slots must be used ,and axles can not be bent in anyway. The rules also state that axles must be able to be removed for inspection.

The track is a 42 foot long aluminum track. I hoping it is a Best Track.

I still would like to rail ride if at all possible and stay within the rules (silly as they may be).

My initial plan was to cant the rear axles at about a 2.5 degree angle in the slot, and also cant the FDW axle at about 3.5 to 4 degrees in the slot. I am hoping to get 3.5" to 4" of steer over 4 feet, but without having a bent axle for the FDW I don't see any way to adjust the steer if my guess on the angle is incorrect.

I am planning to use wood glue in the slots in an attempt to hold the axles in place and still be able to remove them for inspection.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially recommendations for the angle on the FDW and the amount of steer.

On a separate note I purchased some of DD4H's products to use on my son's previous car that we entered in his pack race. The District race has a Pro Mod class for Dad's so I hoping to have some fun there with my new Cheetah Xtreme wheels and other goodies.

Also we are planning to enter a Street Stock AM entry at the upcoming NPWDRL Nationals in New Berlin Wisconsin. I hope to meet some of you in person there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[OPARENNEN]

Just a few questions, appreciate any advice. I tried searching but couldn't find the answers. Anyway,this is my son's second year racing (pack race). We have to use the axle slots and I was planning on using my dremmel to cut the slot a little deeper on one side of the front to raise that wheel, we can run on 3 wheels. Any other ideas? We aren't that advanced as far as canting, rail riding, etc but we did buy the wheels and axles from DD4H prepped. I'm just going to use the axle guide tool to insert the remaining 3 wheels and pray for the best.

FYI two week ago, I was helping my grandson for the Catalina Arizona Council race. The night before the race, his friend who had qualified in the preceding District race, brought his car over and asked if we could help him get faster. All we did was pull the nails and wheels and prep them according to DD4H process and reinsert them into car using the BSA slots. However, we canted axles by hand, applied epoxy to the nail slots, set the drift, and that was the end of it. In the Council race, my grandson took first and he took third. HUGE TROPHIES!

 

[Papa V Racing]

[QUOTE

Original posted by Chief	/post/printadd?id=5794146&pid=1273067827 #14

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AH you need to be careful with that planning ahead stuff...it is a great idea and then before you know it you are thinking about it at work, in the shower, at dinner, on the drive home...and thats when you know you are an addict...YEP you are going to be addicted to Pinewood Derby Racing!!! And that is ok as you will be happy here and before you know it you will be racing in the league! Welcome to the family!!!

it is Xciting stuff!!!
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Chief---

You hit the nail on the Head ... I live eat and sleep PWD now.. I can't get enough of it .. My wife asked tonight when all the stuff was going to leave the counter tops in the kitchen .. I told her I had to make sure the car is going to be ok first, no runs, sags or anything else... before I take the paint, Xacto knifes, tape, sandpaper and my portable heater back to the work bench in the basement ...

If I could sneak it into my room at night and leave it next to me when I sleep without her killing me I would...

Papa V

 

[tmeyer]

Thank you very much for the advice. I really respect what you guys are doing here.

I have been competitively drag racing motorcycles for close to 20 years now. This year is the first year for PWD for both my son and I. We are both having a great time and I really enjoy building and running the PWD cars with my son. We took 3rd place overall out of 49 at our pack race, only .0005 behind second place. I don't know who was more excited when my son received the trophy, him or me! What I was most amazed with was the excitement at the race by both the kids and the adults. I was most suprised with the way I felt every time my son's car was staged. It was similar to the drag racing. I was a bit nervous inside, in a good way, if you know what I mean.

I am definetly hooked on PWD. I am sure all of you can relate.

Thanks again

 

[tmeyer]

All we did was pull the nails and wheels and prep them according to DD4H process and reinsert them into car using the BSA slots. However, we canted axles by hand, applied epoxy to the nail slots, set the drift, and that was the end of it.

OPARENNEN,

Did you use a bent axle on the front to set the drift or did you cant a straight axle in the slot?

 

[OPARENNEN]

All we did was pull the nails and wheels and prep them according to DD4H process and reinsert them into car using the BSA slots. However, we canted axles by hand, applied epoxy to the nail slots, set the drift, and that was the end of it.

OPARENNEN,

Did you use a bent axle on the front to set the drift or did you cant a straight axle in the slot?

BENT NAIL

 

[5KidsRacing]

Hello,

I also am in need of some expert advice. I am trying to get ready for my 7 year old son's District PWD race. I have to build a new car because the car we built for the Pack race is not allowed in the District race due to the drilled holes for the axles. The rules at the District race state that the slots must be used ,and axles can not be bent in anyway. The rules also state that axles must be able to be removed for inspection.

The track is a 42 foot long aluminum track. I hoping it is a Best Track.

I still would like to rail ride if at all possible and stay within the rules (silly as they may be).

My initial plan was to cant the rear axles at about a 2.5 degree angle in the slot, and also cant the FDW axle at about 3.5 to 4 degrees in the slot. I am hoping to get 3.5" to 4" of steer over 4 feet, but without having a bent axle for the FDW I don't see any way to adjust the steer if my guess on the angle is incorrect.

I am planning to use wood glue in the slots in an attempt to hold the axles in place and still be able to remove them for inspection.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially recommendations for the angle on the FDW and the amount of steer.

On a separate note I purchased some of DD4H's products to use on my son's previous car that we entered in his pack race. The District race has a Pro Mod class for Dad's so I hoping to have some fun there with my new Cheetah Xtreme wheels and other goodies.

Also we are planning to enter a Street Stock AM entry at the upcoming NPWDRL Nationals in New Berlin Wisconsin. I hope to meet some of you in person there.

Thanks in advance.

I would fill the end 1/4" of the slots with epoxy and then drill them with the Silver Bullet. I would drill the rears normally with negative cant and the DFW with positive cant and toe in for steer. Well that's what I would do.... I guess the question is what can you guys do as far as tools and skill level? You can buy a plugNplay railrunner block from DD that will be perfect for what you need (http://www.shop.derbydad4hire.com/Plug-N-Play-Precision-Drilled-Rail-Runner-Pinewood-Derby-Block-BL-PNP.htm).

If you want do it yourself and you don't have many tools I would do what John said below...

One thing you have to remember is that the key to the alignment is that the rear wheels are parallel to each other. With a slot you know they have to be parallel. Just insert the rear axles into the slot and slightly cant them when you insert. Eyeball them so they look they same, make sure the gap is right and then test roll it to make sure the axles go out forward and back. Bend your front dom axle and rail run with it like you would a drilled block. The major drawback of the slots is that you almost always have to glue the axles in but they should be pretty well aligned with an eyeballed cant.

With that method I don't know how to glue in the axles and still have them removable... that's a tough rule. I would probably get the axles where I want them and then epoxy them in and let dry. I would then remove them myself and make sure they could be removed later without screwing up my alignment. Regarding the DFW... I would probably give the axle a slight bend and drill a hole from the bottom to turn the axle with some small needle nose. I don't know how you enforce that rule, it similar to enforcing a 4 on the floor for a Cub Scout. I mean what if the kid just gets a bent axle in the kit. I have found some that are pretty bent.

 

[tmeyer]

Thanks for all of your advice 5KidsRacing! Very much appreciated.