On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 19:54:09 -0400, Tom Watson
wrote:

My son, a new Cub Scout, has told me that he wants to participate in a
Cub Scout wooden model car race.

Before I Google this thing within an inch of it's life, I'd like to
ask for the Wisdom Of Those Who Have Gone Before, on the Wreck.

When I asked my wife for the specs, I was told:

"It has to be five ounces."

Hmm.

When I asked my son for the specs, he said:

"What's a spec?"

Sigh...



I was a Boy Scout, but never a Cub Scout. I would like to hear from
the Cognoscenti.


Hmmm... I was a Cub Scout, but not a Boy Scout. It sounds like you're
talking about the illustrious pinewood derby. Unless they've changed
things a bit, your son's troop should provide him with a hunk of pine,
which you whittle down into any shape car you like, drill a hole in
the back to accept a CO2 canister, add some wheels and a couple of
eyebolts in the bottom to hook it to a piece of fishing line so it
doesn't go flying off the track when they pop the canister. Lots of
fun, not too much work. They race them in a little tournament when
everyone is done.

I believe the finish is up to the scout, but I'm guessing that they
don't like people to substitute other types of wood for the pine
(though I could certainly be wrong- it's been an awful long time since
I was a cub scout!)

Anyhow, have fun!
Regards,
Tom.

"People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston

Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.)
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1