Where do you get the Pine for your Car Bodies from?

[CivilWarTalk]

Just a poll! If you or your youth is a pinewood derby car builder, we want to know where you get your Pine Body from! If you get your Pine from somewhere other than the options listed, feel free to reply below with your additional comments!

If you like this poll, please click the LIKE button for this post!

 

[CivilWarTalk]

I've been using basswood blocks that I cut myself, I believe I got the wood from Hobby Lobby.

I'm concerned that the cuts I made with my scroll saw aren't 100.0% straight. Does the saw blade bend on a scroll saw? I'm wondering if that's the variation I'm seeing....

 

[Kinser Racing]

You bet the scroll saw blade flexes.

 

[Mojo Racing]

and more than just a little bit

 

[TWarwick07]

Need to get some bodies from DD4H .... local hobby shop and local hobby lobby not the best source

 

[gdurban]

Before I discovered this site, I was either using block from kit or purchasing from Maximum Velocity. I have now purchased a few sugar pine blocks from DD4H and plan to use them for next build.

 

[Vitamin K]

Michael's and a 40% off coupon and I'm hooked up with enough basswood for like, 5 cars. Ripping the block is tricky without a bandsaw, though. I've build a jig for my scrollsaw that works, but it is tedious, and the edge isn't as clean. Still works, though.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

Having a square block is critical. I wouldn't trust a scroll saw to make a square cut.

 

[speed bump]

I buy 1/4 planks and rip them to size (width wise) with a table saw. Then use a sliding arm chop saw to cut the length. Then run them on the edger planner if they are not exactly the size I want.

 

[Vitamin K]

Having a square block is critical. I wouldn't trust a scroll saw to make a square cut.

What's so critical about block squareness? My understanding is that it was the job of the drill jig to enforce squareness in relation to axle placement.

 

[Troy Taylor]

So far we have only used the kits we were given. Awana kit for those races, and Pine Car brand for our Trail Life USA races. I would like to try a different block in the future, but they would have to be cut and square already as I only have a drill press.

 

[speed bump]

Get one

So far we have only used the kits we were given. Awana kit for those races, and Pine Car brand for our Trail Life USA races. I would like to try a different block in the future, but they would have to be cut and square already as I only have a drill press.

. Get one from John. Pre drilled. Tell what u need. Rail rider three touching or all four touching. One of my scout dads got johns no tune pre drilled and won district and council with that block. Worth every penny.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

What's so critical about block squareness? My understanding is that it was the job of the drill jig to enforce squareness in relation to axle placement.

If the block is not square you could flex the body when you clamp it in the jig. This would also apply to the original Silver Bullet.

 

[Vitamin K]

If the block is not square you could flex the body when you clamp it in the jig. This would also apply to the original Silver Bullet.

Hmm, interesting angle. Had not really considered that.

Still, couldn't this be mitigated by the method of clamping?

 

[Troy Taylor]

Get one
. Get one from John. Pre drilled. Tell what u need. Rail rider three touching or all four touching. One of my scout dads got johns no tune pre drilled and won district and council with that block. Worth every penny.

Thanks! I will have to check with the rules for this year. Trail Life. while there are already 700 troops, is only 2 years old and still fine tuning its guidelines. Last year the rule was to use the block provided. I want to drill my own holes, weight pockets etc... My son is 8 now and can handle these tasks I think. Our blocks are Pinecar brand, and have short wheelbase slots cut n them. Rules say nothing about drilling our own holes, so I want to extend wheel base for sure!

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Thanks! I will have to check with the rules for this year. Trail Life. while there are already 700 troops, is only 2 years old and still fine tuning its guidelines. Last year the rule was to use the block provided. I want to drill my own holes, weight pockets etc... My son is 8 now and can handle these tasks I think. Our blocks are Pinecar brand, and have short wheelbase slots cut n them. Rules say nothing about drilling our own holes, so I want to extend wheel base for sure!

Use a good piece of wood. There is no need in making the job harder with the crappy wood provided. The good wood won't magically make you faster but it will save you time and ensure you get a better drill job. There is NO WAY to say you didn't unless they mark the wood. IMHO.

 

[Troy Taylor]

Use a good piece of wood. There is no need in making the job harder with the crappy wood provided. The good wood won't magically make you faster but it will save you time and ensure you get a better drill job. There is NO WAY to say you didn't unless they mark the wood. IMHO.

This is true. I would prefer to use a better block, but would at least have to have one that has same slots cut as the Pinecar blocks our troop purchases. Is there such a block?

Although I do have a hack saw and could add them?

 

[Mojo Racing]

answered your own question right there !

 

[speed bump]

answered your own question right there !

We have a winner! Cut and forget.

 

[Troy Taylor]

I am slowly tooling up, and need advise on saws. I am using DD4H precut blocks, but need a saw to cut out the shapes for troop and awana cars. Kids want some different shapes than rectangles. I do have a belt sander as well.
I can only buy one right now, either band saw or scroll saw. Main thing I notice is that scroll can do inside cuts, but band makes more square cuts. Since I am buying precut blocks, would a scroll make more sense for now?
Looking at the Porter cable or the Proxon. Proxon seems high for a smaller tool? Thanks guys!