Table of Contents
How do you make a simple pinewood derby car?
How do you make a fast derby car?
Clint gave us some top tips on how to increase the speed of your LEGO® race car: Make it heavy! Make sure that your tires don’t rub against the side of your car! Larger LEGO® wheels are generally faster than smaller LEGO® wheels. If you can, use Technic axles and wheels instead of the clip-on wheels, they are faster!.
What is the fastest 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.
Is a heavier pinewood derby car 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.
What is the best weight for a pinewood derby car?
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.
Where do you put weights on a 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.
Should I bake my pinewood derby block?
Should I bake the pinewood derby block? The short answer is no, do not bake the block. The idea behind baking the block is to remove moisture which will make the block lighter. Baking might remove more moisture but the block will quickly re-absorb the moisture after it is out of the oven and cooled down.
What can I use for weights on a pinewood derby car?
Below are several suggestions for adding weights to your pinewood derby car. Zinc Top Weight. Lead Wire Weights. Tungsten Weights. Tungsten Canopy.
What is the fastest wooden car?
In 2016, the “Pioneer Cedar Rocket” set a Guinness World Record for being the fastest motorized log car, reaching a top speed of 47.64 mph on the set of HGTV’s Timber Kings at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona.
How do you cut a Pinewood Derby without a bandsaw?
If you don’t have access to a band saw, a coping saw will do. Coping saws are economical and can cut unusual shapes and curves. Coping Saws are intended for cutting curves in thin material but they can be used for cutting your Pinewood Derby car.
Are Bent Axles legal in Pinewood Derby?
CAN I BEND AXLES AND QUALIFY FOR STOCK CAR OR PRO STOCK DIVISIONS? No. Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class.
Does weight matter Pinewood Derby?
This means that mass of the car does not matter.
Why does adding weight to a Pinewood Derby car make it go faster?
Simply put: the more weight you can shift towards the rear of the car, the more potential energy it will have. The key important term is POTENTIAL. It is believed that the more stored energy you have, the faster your car can travel.
How fast do Pinewood Derby cars go mph?
A fast Pinewood Derby® car can reach a speed of nearly 20 miles per hour. Pretty good for a little block of wood!Jan 25, 2012.
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.
How many grams is a Pinewood Derby car?
c. The axles must be attached directly to the original block of wood (see below for axle slot rules). a. The total weight of the car may not exceed 5 ounces (141.7 grams).
How do you run a successful Pinewood Derby car?
Maintain perspective. Pinewood Derby shouldn’t be all about racing, and it’s certainly not all about trophies or ribbons. Delegate responsibilities. Establish rules. Host a car-making workshop. Hold an inspection event. Gather materials. Establish a timing system. Use racing software.
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.
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.
What are lead weights used for?
Because of lead’s high density and relatively low cost, it has found numerous uses in the form of lead weights, lead ingots and lead billets. Some common uses include counterweights, ship ballast, fishing sinkers, diving weights and in sports handicapping.
How do you bake Pinewood Derby blocks?
1. 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.
What is Tungsten Putty?
Tungsten Putty is a non-hardening, moldable material made from tungsten powder and a polymer binder. Tungsten putty is similar to lead in density. Generally, other tungsten products are used for the majority of the car’s weight, and tungsten putty is used for fine-tuning.
