What is "you may remove the seam" from wheels mean?

[flockshot]

We have a rule that states you must use the wheels that come with the kit. You may remove the seam from the wheels.

I have no idea what that means. I can see no mold seam.

All I want to do is true them up and balance them, but don't know if I really can under this rule.

 

[e/o]

It means the rules haven't been re-written in a long time. They used to have seams and no longer do.

I would interpret the fact that it lets you remove seams and impliedly do no more as intended to prohibit truing wheels. It is similar to rules that say "light sanding permitted," which I take to mean "you can't cut the wheel." Though obviously better written rules just say that.

 

[flockshot]

I consider round, balanced wheels, to be a minimum requirement to be competitive at any basic elementary level of pinewood derby racing. You know that the car that ultimately wins the Pack races, will have round wheels. This is a tough rule for honest racers.

 

[e/o]

I don't like the rule either, but I don't agree with you that you need particularly round wheels to be "competitive at any basic elementary level of pinewood derby racing." I don't know anyone in my family's pack who even owns a lathe, and I suspect the pro hub wheel shaver does more harm than good. Its still legal under almost all rule sets to buy an extra pack of wheels or two and select the best ones, so that's one option for you.

I think if you do literally nothing on the outside of your wheels but follow this board's advice on alignment, weight placement, wheel bore and axle prep, and aerodynamics, your scout is all but certain to win a medal at the derby.

 

[flockshot]

I don't like the rule either, but I don't agree with you that you need particularly round wheels to be "competitive at any basic elementary level of pinewood derby racing." I don't know anyone in my family's pack who even owns a lathe, and I suspect the pro hub wheel shaver does more harm than good. Its still legal under almost all rule sets to buy an extra pack of wheels or two and select the best ones, so that's one option for you.

I think if you do literally nothing on the outside of your wheels but follow this board's advice on alignment, weight placement, wheel bore and axle prep, and aerodynamics, your scout is all but certain to win a medal at the derby.[/QUOTTE]
They do say the wood, wheels and axles that come in the kit, and I see no restriction on the number of kits you can try. Also the BSA wheels from the Scout Store, are kit wheels also. I will give that a whirl and see how it comes out. Thanks for your response.