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The more your pine car weighs, the faster it will go on a downhill ramp. Most rules specify a 5 oz. maximum weight. Most Pinewood Derby cars weigh between 1.5 oz and 3.5 oz (depending on design) without weights so a car may need 3.5 oz or more of additional weight.
What is the maximum weight of a Pinewood Derby car?
MAX OUT YOUR CAR’S WEIGHT AT 5 OZ 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.
Where should the weight be on a Pinewood Derby car?
Weight should be placed towards the rear of the car. You can drill the weight holes in the bottom, side or rear of the car as shown in these examples. Stay at least 1/8″ away from the axle slots.
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 do you weigh a Pinewood Derby car?
Best Location to Weight Your Pinewood Derby Car When deciding on where to weight your car, you should try to reach a final balance point of the car 1 inch or less in front of the rear axle. To achieve this, place 2/5 of the added weight behind the rear axle, and the remaining 3/5 in front of the rear axle.
Can I add weight to my Pinewood Derby car?
The heavier your pinewood derby car, the faster it will go. Most race rules limit the weight to 5 oz so you want your car as close to the limit as possible. The Wedge block will need about 2.5 oz of additional weight to bring it up to the 5 oz limit. Then add the weights until the total is 5 oz.
Can a Pinewood Derby car be shorter than 7 inches?
Can a pinewood derby car be shorter than 7 inches? Yes, you can make your car shorter but it is not recommended. A shorter car will have a lower center of mass at the start so it will have less energy to convert into speed when going down the track.
How much weight does paint add to a 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.
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.
What scale is a Pinewood Derby car?
Pinewood Derby Cars do not have a specific scale factor, as they are forced to be 7 inches long by 1-3/4 inches wide (instead of varying in size based on the size of the original). For many standard automobile sizes, 1:24 is pretty close, and in fact 1:24 scale decals generally work pretty well.
What makes the fastest Pinewood Derby car?
The Black PRO Car is our fastest pinewood derby car. It pushes the Speed Limit! It is track-tested car ready to race featuring our race winning PRO friction-free BSA Ultra-Lite graphite-coated wheels and PRO BSA graphite-coated grooved axles.
What is the fastest Pinewood Derby car time?
We used ultralight wheels and grooved axles. It was very fast. Nobody even came close to us. Our best time was 2.516 seconds on a 35 foot aluminum track.
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.
How thick should my pinewood derby car be?
1/4″ is thin enough. Most of my cars are 1/4″ in the rear and taper to the front. By making the car much thinner then that, you are putting yourself at risk for the car breaking. It is possible to make them thinner, but it is not really needed.
Is pinewood derby only for Cub Scouts?
Pinewood derby is a registered trademark of the BSA, so most use different names. Each derby has slightly different rules for making and racing their cars. Pinewood derby Petty Superbird Owner Boy Scouts of America Country United States Dates Annual.
What is the minimum length of a pinewood derby car?
Overall length cannot exceed 7”. Width (including wheels) cannot exceed 2 ¾”. Minimum width between wheels is 1 ¾”. Minimum bottom clearance is 3/8”, and the overall height cannot exceed 4”.
What is the best shape for a Pinewood Derby car?
But aerodynamics rule the day, and the best shape is a simple wedge. Just like a spoiler on the rear of a sports car, the wedge shape allows as much air to flow over the top of the car without hinderance while keeping the car pinned to the track.
Will Home Depot cut my Pinewood Derby car?
“Our employees will use our tools to cut a seven inch block of pine into a winning race car. The workshop is free to Scout parents.”Jan 21, 2015.
Can you spray paint a Pinewood Derby car?
Can You Spray Paint A Pinewood Derby Car? Yes, of course. Spray paints always add more areas to cover. In the case of the application method, it’s the easiest.
How do you dry Pinewood Derby car?
Bake the Block: Start with your block of wood, and before you do anything else, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for around two hours to remove moisture and make it lighter. This will allow you to place more weight to the rear of the Pinewood Derby car where you actually want it.
