scouts pinewood derby

[Kinser Racing]

No father out there is going to say here's a block of wood, some nails and tires, build a car son and I'll watch. Just doesn't happen.

My dad gave me the block of wood and a knife and said carve it. So, I got the edges rounded over and he painted it roadstripe yellow. It looked like a bus. He stuck the wheels and axles in (no polishing, nothing). The car didn't make it to the end of the track and it wasn't double elimination, one run and I was done.

Now, had I just let him do everything he would of lost miserably and hated the hobby and never want to do it again.

This is what drove me to not let my kids go through what I went through. But look at me now! /images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

I think you are making it too complicated. I would take 1/16" off the front and not touch the back. Your rules, if as stated above, spec the minimum distance between the tires, not the width of the car (the better way to spec this though it's still lame). The FDW is always a little less tight to the body than the rears and it can relax out to their spec. Do you have to use slots ? If so, can you re-prep them ? Do you have access to a test track ?

I do not have to use the slots provided. I can re-drill holes (I have John's block, just need to figure out how to use it) I dont have access to a test track, but the track we use for our Pack is the same track for districts.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

No father out there is going to say here's a block of wood, some nails and tires, build a car son and I'll watch. Just doesn't happen.

My dad gave me the block of wood and a knife and said carve it. So, I got the edges rounded over and he painted it roadstripe yellow. It looked like a bus. He stuck the wheels and axles in (no polishing, nothing). The car didn't make it to the end of the track and it wasn't double elimination, one run and I was done.

Now, had I just let him do everything he would of lost miserably and hated the hobby and never want to do it again.

This is what drove me to not let my kids go through what I went through. But look at me now! /images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif

Exactly why I dont want him to just do it all himself. I want to teach him what I've learned from you guys. Make it a father/son project and maybe he'll get as much enjoyment out of it as I do and want to build pinewood derby cars with me.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

Just talked to the rule guy and he said as long as the scout measurement tool can fit between the wheels I'm good. So 1/16" can come off the DFW