Wheel Bore Polishing - Household Style

Running the rail with a bent front axle is a must but you will be faster with straight rear axles.

We had a guy bring an awesome car to an NPWDRL race. It struggled but after the race the bent rear axles were replaced with unpolished straight stainless axles and the car was much faster.
 
Kinser Racing said:
Running the rail with a bent front axle is a must but you will be faster with straight rear axles. We had a guy bring an awesome car to an NPWDRL race. It struggled but after the race the bent rear axles were replaced with unpolished straight stainless axles and the car was much faster.

I am starting to rethink using the bent axles but i like the idea of canting the wheels. I should probably order a set of pre polished straight axles so i have the option
 
So 3 strikes and I am out , i have broken the q tip inside the wheel bore last 3 wheels i practiced on and cant pull the m out . What am i doing wrong and how do i get the q tip out of the bore? The only wheels i have left are the ones i want to put on the car
 
Kinser Racing said:
Running the rail with a bent front axle is a must but you will be faster with straight rear axles. We had a guy bring an awesome car to an NPWDRL race. It struggled but after the race the bent rear axles were replaced with unpolished straight stainless axles and the car was much faster.
+1 run them straight dont bend them..the rears
 
So these are the rules i found on the event calander :

Rules and Regulations for your Pinewood Derby 2016 Sandy Hook & Colonial Regions You may either purchase the pinewood derby car as a block and cut it to your own design with your special “HE” or purchase a pre-cut car and paint it with your “HE”. (Places to purchase car, local boy scout council, Hobby Shop, AC Moore, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.)

GIRL SCOUT R & R

BODY OF THE CAR The main body structure must be made of pine wood. The car design may be enhanced by the addition of other stable materials such as plastic or metal. Any additions must be firmly attached and meet car size specifications.
The car must meet the following specifications:
Width: not to exceed 2 3/4 inches
Length: not to exceed 7 inches (front cannot protrude beyond the starting pin)
Weight: not to exceed 5.0 ounces on a scale accurate to 1/10 ounce
Height: not to exceed 3 inches
Clearance: The wheels are the only part of the car allowed to touch the track

The following items are prohibited:
1. Springs, starting devices, propellants, bearings, bushings, and /or hubcaps
2. Liquids, wet paint, oil, sticky substance, or powders of any kind (other than axle lubrication)
3. Glass or excessively fragile parts
4. Loose objects on car or anything that may shed onto the track.

RACE DAY
Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before it may compete. The inspectors will disqualify any car not meeting these rules. After a car has passed inspection, only race officials may handle the car. After check-in, car repairs are not allowed unless authorized by the race officials.

FUN AND EXCITEMENT IS EXPECTED

“HE” ULTIMATE RACE R & R ONLY ONE RULE, CAN NOT INTERFERE WITH THE CARS IN THE OTHER LANES. BODY The main body structure must be made of wood. You are strongly encouraged to enhance the car by the addition of other stable materials such as plastic, metal, wood and your imagination. Any additions must be firmly attached. The car must meet the following specifications: Width: not to exceed 2 3/4 inches Length: not to exceed from the front. OK to exceed out the back. Weight: DOESN'T MATTER Height: Maximum height of the car shall not exceed 5-1/2” Clearance: The wheels are the only part of the car allowed to touch the track BE CREATIVE, NAME YOUR CAR, AND SEE YOU ON RACE DAY!!! THIS IS TO BE A FUN EVENT WITH YOUR SPECIAL HE, ENJOY

So after seeing this i am thinking about ordering 1 gram ultra lite wheels and really trying to burn up the track. how far can i push this car based on these lax rules

Here is the car i have been working on for the race :




 
Do you have a hobby lobby near you? if so they sell a tool for around 10.00 that you can use to drill the rear holes with. I know this is NOT the best way but It might b your best way due to tools. So guys on here please don't jump on me for this I am just letting him know he has other ways to drill with out bending axles. Keep in mind this is not the pro races.
 
speed bump said:
Do you have a hobby lobby near you? if so they sell a tool for around 10.00 that you can use to drill the rear holes with. I know this is NOT the best way but It might b your best way due to tools. So guys on here please don't jump on me for this I am just letting him know he has other ways to drill with out bending axles. Keep in mind this is not the pro races.
thats what i would do drill them straight
 
Kinser Racing said:
We had a guy bring an awesome car to an NPWDRL race. It struggled but after the race the bent rear axles were replaced with unpolished straight stainless axles and the car was much faster.
Something else must have been up, because if you use bent axles and have them aligned using lighting boys method, all being the same (like 3degree cant and using the same axles ect.) the car nor wheels know if they are bent or canted holes and the car should run the same. Now It is way harder to align the bent axles but from a mechanical prospective they are both on an axle that is canted 3 degrees. Just saying.
 
Cubscout Dad said:
Something else must have been up, because if you use bent axles and have them aligned using lighting boys method, all being the same (like 3degree cant and using the same axles ect.) the car nor wheels know if they are bent or canted holes and the car should run the same. Now It is way harder to align the bent axles but from a mechanical prospective they are both on an axle that is canted 3 degrees. Just saying.

I don't know which, if any or the top racers have had experience with bending rear axles, but I have directly, mostly due to the marketing strategies I fell victim to when I got into racing. Your statement is absolutely correct, that a canted axle is a canted axle, no matter how the cant is implemented. Its the alignment process that's questionable. The rear alignment is the foundation to a fast car. If the rear wheels are not absolutely parallel, the car will be slower by some magnitude. Just by setting the steer on a given car, you should already be aware of how sensitive steer is. Aligning all three wheels with that in mind is a nightmare, if not just a complete impossibility.

I have used the following for canted rear axles:
Silver bullet
GB drill jig
Revell drill jig with a coat hanger to prop up a side
Drill press table tilt
Bent rear axles

I would sooner use Revell drill jig with a coat hanger to prop up one side of the car than bending rear axles. Bending rear axles is just not a good idea. Run straight axles if you can not drill canted holes. You'll be happier in the end...
 
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TRE said:
its hard enough to get a car with proper drilled holes to run right much less messing with bent axles
True, I hear you guys, Just saying for that scout dad like myself that may not have a drill press or fancy tools you can still have a fast car with bent rears. My first year in scouts last year I ran 2 scout cars with bent axles not knowing how to align the rears at the time or polish and wax bores. And still did pretty good at pack and took 2nd and 6th at districts. Just saying /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif
 
Get this for next year - $6 at any hobby/craft store (maybe even at your local BSA store):



You'll be able to do better...otherwise, I'll buy it from you
 
Going to look for one of those body drilling tools tonight,

looking at the pictures of the finished body I am using where would you recomend putting he axle holes? The rear wheel is close to the back of the block?
 
That is what i was talking about B regal thanks.. Drill the back so that the tires do not go pass the body. I think 5/8 from rear is close but could b wrong so check that. Like all the above have already said straight axles and good drilled rears you should b on the right track.Good luck