I have a question. My son and I build his pinewood derby cars together every year. We always follow the rules using only the wheels axles and block provided. I file sand and polish the wheels every year as best as possible and we have got the weight placement right. However we are never fast enough there are cars that are 5 one hundredths faster every year. I know we are doing everything right and that some of these faster cars may not be. I am so tired of seeing the look of dejection on his face when he finishes eighth every year in his pack. As usual this year he was 4 one hundredths slower than the fastest car finishing 8th. He wants to go to council and if he is going to be competitive we are going to have to seriously upgrade wheels and axles to have a chance as I don't have the tools or knowledge to hone the ones we have anymore. What wheels and axles can he use to gain 6 to 7 one hundredths to make his fast enough to compete to win.
Upgraded wheels and axles.
- Thread starter Jon
- Start date
We really need the ruleset before we can make any solid recommendations outside of DD4H's BASX wheels.
Our rules basically state that wheels can be lightly lathed sanded and polished and axles can be filed sanded and polished. However there are no rules regarding mold matched wheels or wheels being trued. Any recommendations that would allow us to follow those rules as I want my son to learn to have integrity by doing things the right way
From what I've learned on here, There are hundreds of variables that can cause speed loss, wheels being only one. From weight placement, making sure your weight is distributed between the wheels that are touching (assuming it is 3 ) axle polishing steps, wheel bore polishing, burnishing, body starting weight, axle placement and angle. the list goes on and on.
I'm sure the seasoned pros will help you out but I'd start by giving them some pictures (everyone likes pictures) or a run down of how you have everything set up. Good luck on next years build .
I'm sure the seasoned pros will help you out but I'd start by giving them some pictures (everyone likes pictures) or a run down of how you have everything set up. Good luck on next years build .
I roll it along a 4' board and look for a 3" movement in one direction to help it guide on the rail. As I said I have limited tools and feel I have worked the axles and wheels correctly just not getting the results desired.
I roll it along a 4' board and try to look for a desired 3" in movement to the right to make sure it hugs the rail to stay straight just not getting the desired results and speed needed to clear that last hurdle. I have read our rules and know I can use the graphite coated speed axles. However I am not sure about what wheel I should use I want to make sure we don't break any rules. Will the axles alone give him the desired increase or should we get wheels as well. I am worried if I work the ones I have anymore that it would cause to much bore gap and result in wheel chatter.
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I am pretty sure we all get what you are saying Jon, but the best wheels/axles/prep on a misaligned body will be slow... it isn't going to matter that you adjust the steer for 3" drift in 4 ft. if you body is set-up incorrectly.
Drill you drill axle holes? Did you use the slots?
Drill you drill axle holes? Did you use the slots?
I've been in exactly the same boat! -- just outside the group going to council, year after year, doing everything "right." DD4H and 5Kids are exactly right. The correct body -- predrilled block is the best way to go -- put us in the group going to council. Then, using what we already knew about wheels and axles, won handily... But it was the body that got us in that group to being with.
I use the slots as I don't have to proper tools to guarantee a straight and proper drilled hole. We have the weights all spaced from over the back wheel to 3/8 of an inch in front of and behind the back axles. The car seems very well balanced I have noticed slight wheel chatter at higher speeds though.
Sounds like you have skills with axle/wheel prep and know how to weight a car...... now you just need a foundation.
You need to put your axles/wheels/weight into THIS
You need to put your axles/wheels/weight into THIS
The top 3 things that will help you immensely are in my opinion : 1) alignment 2) alignment and 3) alignment.
Do yourself a HUGE favor and get a DD4H pre-drilled block or better yet a Silver Bullet so you can precisely drill your own blocks with simple hand tools. You will not regret it!
Do yourself a HUGE favor and get a DD4H pre-drilled block or better yet a Silver Bullet so you can precisely drill your own blocks with simple hand tools. You will not regret it!
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