Table of Contents
How do you put wheels on a pinewood derby car?
Pinewood Derby Axle Installer Lubricate the wheel and axle – Slide the axle into the wheel. Place the wheel/axle on the base with the pointed end of the axle up. Place the Axle Guide in the axle slot. Hold the Axle Guide in place with your thumb then gently press the car body straight down on the axle.
How tight should pinewood derby wheels be?
How close should pinewood derby wheels be to the car? The hub of the wheel should be a credit card thickness (about . 03″) away from the car block but can be as much as . 1″.
How do you glue a pinewood derby axle?
What glue should I used for pinewood axles? Super Glue or CA glue is glue of choice for many years. Just remember this stuff is super runny or liquid, a little will go a long way and I have ruined many wheel sets because of this. Use just a few little drops of glue on your axle.
Do you glue pinewood derby axles?
7. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels. 8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow.
Can a pinewood derby car have 3 wheels?
Especially when using axle slots, it is often quite difficult to get all four wheels to touch the ground evenly. In fact, many times people end up with three-wheeled pinewood derby cars by accident! Don’t let your car design be accidental.
Are Bent axles legal in pinewood derby?
Wheels and Axles Rules Official BSA wheels must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.
Where should the center of gravity be on a pinewood derby car?
The ideal placement for the center of gravity is 7/8-in. in front of the rear axle. Too far forward and you’ll lose potential energy (P=9.8mh or the energy caused by the item’s position). Too far back and your car will pop a wheelie, ruining any chance for a win.
What size is a #44 drill bit?
The #44 drill bit (. 086 inch OD) is the standard bit used for nail axles from Cub Scout kits and other kits. It can be used to drill axle holes, or to create pilot holes in the standard axle slots.
How do you glue weights on a pinewood derby car?
Epoxy can be used for attaching metal accessories to the car and, since it does not shrink when dry, it works well for gluing weight into holes or pockets. It can also be used for gluing wood to wood, but I recommend yellow, white, or tacky glue for that use.
Can you put weights on the bottom of a pinewood derby car?
The weight should not extend past the rear of the car. Glue bottom weights to the bottom of the block to bring the total weight (including wheels and axles) to 5 oz. Install some of the weight behind the rear axle and the rest in front of the axle. The weight can be broken apart with pliers.
Why does my pinewood derby car wobble?
Pinewood Derby Wheels Wobble are a very common issue. Derby wheels are made with an injection molding process. Because they are not machined from raw material, flaws such as concentricity (wobble) will cause a wheel to wobble because the bore is not aligned with the outer diameter. No wheel mold is safe from flaws.
How can I make my Pinewood Derby car faster?
10 Tips and Tricks to a Fast and Cool-Looking Pinewood Derby Car Bake your block. Max out your weight at the regulation 5 ounces. Use all of the graphite (dry lubricant is usually allowed). Sand and polish your wheels and axles. Check alignment. Spend time on sanding. Use a high-quality paint. Add decals!.
How do you make a Pinewood Derby car go faster?
Build a Fast Pinewood Derby Car in 6 Steps Step 1: Reduce friction to speed up your car. Step 2: Lubricate Axles and Wheels. Step 3: Prepare and Polish Axles – Essential for Speed. Step 4: Balance and tune your Wheels to Maxiumize Speed. Step 5: Add Weight to Increase Inertia.
Is there a minimum length for pinewood derby cars?
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race: Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches. Length shall not exceed 7 inches. Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
What is the best weight for a pinewood derby car?
First, the basics: Your car should weigh as much as it’s allowed. In most races, a Pinewood Derby car’s weight is limited to 5 ounces. If your car weighs less than that, add coins or other weights.
Why is my pinewood derby car slow?
Pinewood derby cars are gravity-powered vehicles. In every place where moving parts are in contact (wheels rubbing on the track, the axles, the car body, and the guide rails) friction is at work. Even the air flow over the car body is a form of friction that slows down the car.
Do heavier pinewood derby cars go faster?
Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.
How much weight does paint add to pinewood derby car?
Paint only adds a few grams (hundredths of a ounce). We generally weight up to 4.9 oz and then do the last weight adjustment at check-in.
What is an axle guide?
Pro Axle Guide is a precision C.N.C. machined aluminum block with a laser cut tab designed to fit in the axle slot of most P.W.D. race car bodies. The tab is designed to precisely space the wheels from the body. The proper gap minimizes car wander and reduces excess contact between the car body and the wheel hubs.
