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Cub Scout Car Race
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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 19:54:09 -0400, Tom Watson
wrote: I would like to hear from the Cognoscenti. There is no Cognoscenti, only a cabal. Barry |
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On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 23:59:02 GMT, Ba r r y
wrote: On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 19:54:09 -0400, Tom Watson wrote: I would like to hear from the Cognoscenti. There is no Cognoscenti, only a cabal. Barry there is no cabal. |
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On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 23:59:02 GMT, Ba r r y wrote:
On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 19:54:09 -0400, Tom Watson wrote: I would like to hear from the Cognoscenti. There is no Cognoscenti, only a cabal. There is no Cabal. And besides, I know you're in it because you're never at the meetings. |
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On 21 Oct 2004 15:36:05 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote:
There is no Cabal. And besides, I know you're in it because you're never at the meetings. So I've washed the Board's cars. Picked up their laundry. Bought three kegs (which I dropped off since you wouldn't let me stay). The hazing wasn't as bad as I thought, tho' it was very cold and the cop didn't think it was very funny. And I don't think the squirrel had a good time at all. How much longer before you guys vote on new members??? |
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On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 20:04:01 GMT, patrick conroy
wrote: On 21 Oct 2004 15:36:05 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote: There is no Cabal. And besides, I know you're in it because you're never at the meetings. So I've washed the Board's cars. Picked up their laundry. Bought three kegs (which I dropped off since you wouldn't let me stay). The hazing wasn't as bad as I thought, tho' it was very cold and the cop didn't think it was very funny. And I don't think the squirrel had a good time at all. How much longer before you guys vote on new members??? any day now. and don't forget to drop off the 300 board feet of curly bubinga. |
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Several years back, I found a fantastic site on cub cars. Can't tell you
where it is now, though. It talked about lubrication (matters lots) , aerodynamics (doesn't matter!) , weight and where to place it (as much at the back as possible and maximize to the legal limit - get it weighted at the post office to be sure...), how to make the wheel pins smooth and minimize friction, etc. Even said to build it so one wheel wouldn't touch the track, but I think that's illegal in the Cub car world. Anyway, good luck. Michel. "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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I had two top three finishes out of three years. (The third year I made a
three wheeled trike. Took the prize for design, but wouldn't run straiht on the track. I figured that going it, but I digress.) Looking back, I think a lot of my sucess was due to wheel alignment. We had seperate wood axels with nail spindals. I think the designs are different now, but dad always had me align the axels with calipers. I didn't really appresiate why it mattered then, but I suspect now that wheel alignment cut down on alot of friction as the car rolled down the track. Bernie "MJT" wrote in message ... Several years back, I found a fantastic site on cub cars. Can't tell you where it is now, though. It talked about lubrication (matters lots) , aerodynamics (doesn't matter!) , weight and where to place it (as much at the back as possible and maximize to the legal limit - get it weighted at the post office to be sure...), how to make the wheel pins smooth and minimize friction, etc. Even said to build it so one wheel wouldn't touch the track, but I think that's illegal in the Cub car world. Anyway, good luck. Michel. "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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"Tom Watson" wrote in message ... My son, a new Cub Scout, has told me that he wants to participate in a Cub Scout wooden model car race. I'm sure a Dags on "pinewood derby" will pull up quite a bit of info. I was one of the ones (many moons ago) that sort of made my own (well dad cut the body on the bandsaw) - but I did the rest. Sadly, I think I was probably the only one - and my position in the finals were evidently testimony, probably, not to the "skills" of the other young builders, but, rather, their fathers as I didn't do research on lubricants and other such things. |
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On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 00:30:13 GMT, "Eric Scantlebury"
wrote: "Tom Watson" wrote in message .. . My son, a new Cub Scout, has told me that he wants to participate in a Cub Scout wooden model car race. I'm sure a Dags on "pinewood derby" will pull up quite a bit of info. I was one of the ones (many moons ago) that sort of made my own (well dad cut the body on the bandsaw) - but I did the rest. Sadly, I think I was probably the only one - and my position in the finals were evidently testimony, probably, not to the "skills" of the other young builders, but, rather, their fathers as I didn't do research on lubricants and other such things. That might have been to your benefit, depending on your dad! Mine tried to pack the axle with graphite, and the wheels wouldn't turn at all when he was done. Ah well, at least he tried. |
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Tom Watson writes: My son, a new Cub Scout, has told me that he wants to participate in a Cub Scout wooden model car race. You want to google "pinewood derby" When I asked my wife for the specs, I was told: "It has to be five ounces." General rules: Maximum weight 5.0 oz (FYI: heavier cars do better) Wheel spacing can't change under-car clearance minimum (i.e. don't add things underneath) Can't extend beyond wheels sideways some tracks have a height max too. Must be at least partly built by the scout. length maximum too Each pack chooses which of the official rules they'll follow, but there is a common set of rules most follow, which should be easy to find now that you know what to google for. Oh - tip for the little ones. Disk sander. In our house, that's the tool of choice (and usually the scroll saw for roughing) for pinewood derby car carving. Once you get your kit, make a few extra wooden blanks for them to experiment with (save the official blank for the official car). Adding weights: forstner bit into the bottom, use a flat head screw to attach washers. Easy to adjust this way. Or you could do what my daughter did, and build a truck - and fill the bed with big hex nuts :-) |
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As a metrologist (calibration and standards) at my place of employement I can
always tell when the pinewood derby time rolls around. I have a steady stream of Dad's weighing cars, wheels, lead shot etc on some of my really accurate high resolution scales. 4.999999 oz. anyone? Mike in Arkansas who may exeragerate slightly the resolution of his scales. |
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I was always in charge of building the car, but dad did the weighting. We
used melted wheel wieghts where ever we could put them. But I remember dad's rule of alway bring a drill and bit to the derby just in case it needs to be lighter. (Note, those where the days before battery powered drills and EPA rules against melting lead and a whole bunch of other things we did, hahahaha.) Bernie "Ba r r y" wrote in message news On 21 Oct 2004 00:44:02 GMT, (JMWEBER987) wrote: As a metrologist (calibration and standards) at my place of employement I can always tell when the pinewood derby time rolls around. I have a steady stream of Dad's weighing cars, wheels, lead shot etc on some of my really accurate high resolution scales. 4.999999 oz. anyone? Mike in Arkansas who may exeragerate slightly the resolution of his scales. Would that matter if the scout pack has a $20 postal scale at the event? G I can hear the sound of drilling now... Barry |
#17
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Tom Watson wrote:
(duz it really get dis nutz?) A'yup! And don't forget the GPS. UA100, Fifth Place but our wind tunnel was ho-made... |
#18
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Tom Watson wrote in
: snip (duz it really get dis nutz?) Yep. The point YOU need to remember in all of this is that the point of the activity is to bond with your child, make something memorable, and have a good time. The kids _will_ remember if the rules are stretched. And they _do_ remember if Dad wouldn't let them do anything. Some units have a dad's competition, for just these reasons. Patriarch, who, with the help of his Den Mother wife, raised four pretty good sons. And built more than a few Scout projects. |
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Tom:
It's called the Pinewood Derby and kits are available. Check with the scoutmaster. Bob "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 01:01:35 GMT, "Bob Schmall"
wrote: Tom: It's called the Pinewood Derby and kits are available. Check with the scoutmaster. I've heard of the Kirwood Derby. I would think that a PineyWood Derby would be a particularly heavy and ugly hat worn by folks who was likeminded with Jummy. Could be wrong, I guess. Y'all sure we's talkin' about the same stuff? Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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Tom Watson writes: I've heard of the Kirwood Derby. Our pack also has a Polar Derby. Each den builds a sled, one cub rides inside, one on the back skids, and the rest of the den pulls. Through the woods at my house, no less :-) |
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My son and I made a match box car (20 years ago ;-)) that came in third in
his pack. As I recall, the scout pack provided the car shaped, wood blank. We rough cut the blank then sanded the corners and finally painted the car a bright red (red cars always go faster!). The weight of the car, I am told, is the biggest impact on speed because the car track is gravity feed. I mortised a notch in the bottom of the car and we glued in pennies, as necessary, to reach the 5 oz maximum. The glued pennies did not extend beyond the mortise so the bottom of the car could not catch on anything on the track. The local Post Office was the official weight in station for the race. We used powdered graphite (like you use on door locks) to lubricate the wheel axels. The Pinewood Derby car race was a lot of fun and a good father-son project. Good luck! "Bob Schmall" wrote in message ... Tom: It's called the Pinewood Derby and kits are available. Check with the scoutmaster. Bob "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
#24
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all of the above...my two cents...
#1 make a car that jr will be proud of hanging on his wall, win or lose (and make sure he helps)...we have more than a few pieces of art (and all my fingers are still attached) and actually have more than a few trophies as well...a few years after the fact, former is much more important to the boys than the latter. Shape and finish are a pleasure to goof with. #2 watch the design...track has some nasty angles on the decline that will hurt bad if the car wants to nose-dive. A thin strip of wood is applied to the track to keep you honest on the width between wheels. #3 is play by the rules and learn the rules each step of the way...our last car (a beauty in its own right) cruised through local and regional play, only to be disqualified at the top due to some technicality about the wheels "Jim Giblin" wrote in message news:kjEdd.3689$EL5.1418@trndny09... My son and I made a match box car (20 years ago ;-)) that came in third in his pack. As I recall, the scout pack provided the car shaped, wood blank. We rough cut the blank then sanded the corners and finally painted the car a bright red (red cars always go faster!). The weight of the car, I am told, is the biggest impact on speed because the car track is gravity feed. I mortised a notch in the bottom of the car and we glued in pennies, as necessary, to reach the 5 oz maximum. The glued pennies did not extend beyond the mortise so the bottom of the car could not catch on anything on the track. The local Post Office was the official weight in station for the race. We used powdered graphite (like you use on door locks) to lubricate the wheel axels. The Pinewood Derby car race was a lot of fun and a good father-son project. Good luck! "Bob Schmall" wrote in message ... Tom: It's called the Pinewood Derby and kits are available. Check with the scoutmaster. Bob "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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I've done 8 of them.
1) Buy a kit. 2) Let the kid design it (and build as much of it as is reasonable) It doesn't matter how silly it looks if the kid is happy with it. 3) Don't worry about winning; you won't unless you cheat. Even then, it is not a sure thing because luck is a big factor. (and a bunch of other guys are also cheating) |
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In article , Tom Watson
wrote: I agree with others that the secret is in the wheels. They need to be accurately aligned. Test it on the floor to see that it runs straight. Moreover, the car needs to be accurately placed on the track so that it starts straight. Don't let anybody else handle the car that might disturb the wheels. The nails that they used to supply for axels were very poor. It could be improved by chucking it in the drill press and smoothing with a file folled by fine emery. I made one demonstration car with special wheels. I bored out the standard wheel and glued a glass bead in the center. Then I made an axle of a hat pin. The polished steel on glass was very frictionless. Dick 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?" |
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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. Signs you are getting carried away with your ( or is it- your son's?) pinewood derby car- Your Cub Scout now knows how to measure in thousandths of an inch You showed up the night before, when they were setting up the track- You tried to calibrate your dietary scale…. If you bought a book about how to win at Pinewood Derby, you might be getting carried away. If you know that 5 ounces is 141.7 grams… If you used a dial caliper or micrometer… If you used a pocket calculator at any time- If you used a heat lamp to cure anything If you made a box just to carry the car in If you bought more than one type of lubricant. If you used a jewelers loupe- you might be getting carried away. If you needed a metal turning lathe, because your wood lathe had too much runout when dressing the wheels- If you used cad software in the design stages…. You had to buy anything mail order, because neither the corner hardware store nor the Scout Office had what you needed- You sketched out a quick Gantt Chart- If your Tiger Cub now knows how to wet sand…. If your budget went over 50 bucks…. If you had to run out to buy more rouge (polishing compound) …. If you used a router at some point in the construction of your car, you might have spent a bit too much time on it. If you used a wind tunnel, you might be getting carried away with your pine wood derby car. ~~~~~~~~~ seriously, we tried a "Dad's Class" to take some of the heat off the boys. -Dan V. |
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"Dan Valleskey" valleskey at comcast dot net wrote in message ... snip of some painfully funny Foxworthy material seriously, we tried a "Dad's Class" to take some of the heat off the boys. *That's* an interesting idea... |
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"patrick conroy" writes: seriously, we tried a "Dad's Class" to take some of the heat off the boys. *That's* an interesting idea... We have an "unlimited" class for people who don't like rules :-) |
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"Tom Watson" wrote in message ... I was a Boy Scout, but never a Cub Scout. I would like to hear from the Cognoscenti. Ahh - the Cabal makes a feeble attempt to hide in the Witness Protection Program... My rules: 1) It has to be *his* car. Too many Dads get caught up in the competition and take over the construction. The kid ends up watching. 2) Keep it fun. If he wants to do something that'll guarantee last place, do it - it's his car. Your job is Foreman, he's the Boss. Lil' personal insight - I don't have a ton of fond memories of childhood. But of the few I do, one is me and my Dad doing the Pinewood Derby. This just might be one of those moments he files away in "novRAM". |
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Tom,
I like Toller's and Patrick's replies, it's about father/son quality time - not winning. Let him build it, but ask him why he wants to do something. Research with him, show him how to use the tools, explain about competitions, winning and what the true aim is. Ask him what *he* expects to get out of it. When you go to the meet, focus on him enjoying the day and try to ignore the individual (there's always one) that tries to win at all costs (it'll be a parent). Leave before the inevitable argument about the interpretation of the "rules". If you get it right, win or lose, your son will want to spend more time with dad making 'cool' stuff. Oh yeah, as Keeter said, mount a GPS, but make sure it's at the back. I wish you both luck. -- Greg "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
#32
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Don't need to Google for the rules. They're provided with the official kit.
Poor wheel alignment is what kills most otherwise promising entrants. Four on the floor at all times. Weights in the "pusher" position seem best. Since the cars usually end up wedge-shaped, it's easy enough to bore a hole with a Forstner, sized properly for a copper plumbing end cap. Bore the cap for #6 sheetmetal screw for final attachment, use up the sinkers as required. It doesn't need to be at the max to run fine. I always insisted on making the weight holder for my two boys, and then marked a no-cut area 1/4 around the axle insert points before turning it over to them for style. Paper templates seemed better than freestyle. I also insisted on doing the wheel alignment. Best advice on wheels is to let the boys sand all flashing and irregularity off the rolling portion with block-mounted paper, while the wheels are chucked in a drill press. Graphite on race day (after appearance judging!) finishes the job. The kids had some real uglies at first, but by the last two years (we raced WEBELOS), they improved. All of 'em ran well, because I got the information above from another father. Kids still have their trophies in their box of "I am great" stuff. Get your troop to have non-scout competitions, too. I enjoyed racing a car, even when my own daughter beat me two years in a row in the finals. "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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Get your troop to have non-scout competitions, too. I enjoyed racing a car, even when my own daughter beat me two years in a row in the finals. We have talked about that, in hopes it would help prevent the Dads from simply building the cub's cars. Does it help? |
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Not necessarily, but it can lead to some real fun on race night.
Competititive types will not be deterred by any sanction. "toller" wrote in message ... Get your troop to have non-scout competitions, too. I enjoyed racing a car, even when my own daughter beat me two years in a row in the finals. We have talked about that, in hopes it would help prevent the Dads from simply building the cub's cars. Does it help? |
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My best advice is look at the basic rules, follow them, and have FUN! Way
too many dads become obsessed with winning pinwood derbies. The event is supposed to be a father-SON build. When I was Cubmaster, you could immediately spot the cars that dad had done. Sometimes the kids weren't allowed to touch them (really sad if you think about it). We made sure that there were prizes for lots of things other than winning. We had on the spot awards for things like "Most Creative use of Glitter", "Most Colorful", "Coolest Design Idea"... None of these awards went to dad built cars. After all, the event is for the kids, RIGHT!?!? Grant 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
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Many good replies for the most part. I've been doing "pinewood deby" cars
for more than 30 years. I have countless 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Very few other place finishes! (Lot's of boy in the family!) First and formost is wheels! Must be lubricated. use graphite and they ust be aligned. Run the car on 3 wheels 25% less friction. As you can tell it's all about reducing friction. Get the car to max. weight (5 ounces) Don't rely on the postal scales. Get the car weighed on the "pack" scale. All scales are different only the "pack" scale counts. Get it as close to weight as possible you can always adjust it on race day after weighing in on the "pack" scale. Lightly sand the wheels. they will have burrs on them. they must be removed. If allowed by the pack, round the wheels as much as possible. Thus less wheel on the track and less friction. Put the wheels and axels in a baggie filled with the graphite and "shake and bake" them and let sit in the graphite as long as possible before race day. Relube the wheels as close to the time of the first race as allowed by the pack. Let the scout shape the car and paint/decorate it as he pleases. The shape and decorations won't effect the running of the car. Good luck. But remember the most inportant thing about the pinewood derby is to have fun with the scout building the car and have fun race day enjoying the race. Do not emphisise the winning and losing. It's all for fun. But that dosen't mean you can't do the above mentioned to increase the fun a bit by winning. :-) Dan "Tom Watson" wrote in message ... 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. Regards, Tom. "People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.) tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email) http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1 |
#37
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(I knew this would start a string when I saw it last evening)
Tom: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ADULTS COMPETING WITH ADULTS, USING WOODEN TOY CARS, WHILE KIDS WATCH. We do, at least, let the kids put the car on the track. I was involved in this with my son and nephews both as a parent and scout leader. I was astounded at the level of competitiveness among adults - not necessarily healty competition. The scouts have a specification book that includes rules, weights, etc. You can buy Pinewood Derby kits that include the block of wood, wheel, axle nails, and the rules. The block of wood is optional but you have to use their wheels and nails. I know of parents buying their own electronic scale (most grocery stores are glad to let you use one), applying computer modeling, applying custom laquer jobs, etc. We even had one car that supposedly was tested in the Wichita State University wind tunnel (Dad was an aerodynamicist that worked with WSU - Probably true. It lost). The secrets abound: - Put your weight low for a slingshot effect when it hits the bottom of the grade. - Put your weight high for a slingshot effect when it hits the bottom of the grade. - Spin you wheels to polish the axle and wheel race. (GENTLY, Belt sander? - NO!) - Leave one wheel off of the track. (Half of the cars actually built by boys are this way anyway.) - Very small frontal area. With one exception, this seems to be true. The very thin, wedge shaped cars seemed to do a little better. However one year we had a pretty artistic rendition of a model T roadster that won. - Polish the finish. They look nice but this still goes back to the WSU car that lost. My son did win best design one year with a wedge and a rubbed paint job. THE TRUE SECRETS OF SUCCESS IN THE PINEWOOD DERBY A - Work with your son - Let him have THE active role in design and build - Bury your ego - Have fun with your child and make him feel good! |
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OH, I forgot.
Win or lose, when it is over help your boy build a simple display for his car so he can show it off in his room. My son is 26 and I think he still knows where a couple of his cars are. "RonB" wrote in message newsrPdd.6370$EZ.5857@okepread07... (I knew this would start a string when I saw it last evening) Tom: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ADULTS COMPETING WITH ADULTS, USING WOODEN TOY CARS, WHILE KIDS WATCH. We do, at least, let the kids put the car on the track. I was involved in this with my son and nephews both as a parent and scout leader. I was astounded at the level of competitiveness among adults - not necessarily healty competition. The scouts have a specification book that includes rules, weights, etc. You can buy Pinewood Derby kits that include the block of wood, wheel, axle nails, and the rules. The block of wood is optional but you have to use their wheels and nails. I know of parents buying their own electronic scale (most grocery stores are glad to let you use one), applying computer modeling, applying custom laquer jobs, etc. We even had one car that supposedly was tested in the Wichita State University wind tunnel (Dad was an aerodynamicist that worked with WSU - Probably true. It lost). The secrets abound: - Put your weight low for a slingshot effect when it hits the bottom of the grade. - Put your weight high for a slingshot effect when it hits the bottom of the grade. - Spin you wheels to polish the axle and wheel race. (GENTLY, Belt sander? - NO!) - Leave one wheel off of the track. (Half of the cars actually built by boys are this way anyway.) - Very small frontal area. With one exception, this seems to be true. The very thin, wedge shaped cars seemed to do a little better. However one year we had a pretty artistic rendition of a model T roadster that won. - Polish the finish. They look nice but this still goes back to the WSU car that lost. My son did win best design one year with a wedge and a rubbed paint job. THE TRUE SECRETS OF SUCCESS IN THE PINEWOOD DERBY A - Work with your son - Let him have THE active role in design and build - Bury your ego - Have fun with your child and make him feel good! |
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RonB wrote:
OH, I forgot. Win or lose, when it is over help your boy build a simple display for his car so he can show it off in his room. My son is 26 and I think he still knows where a couple of his cars are. If you make (turn) a pedestal out of a piece of walnut, and you screw it to a faceplate, take care not to let him turn it all the way down to the screws. DAMHIKT. -- Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621 http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/ http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/ |
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RonB wrote:
The secrets abound: - Put your weight low for a slingshot effect when it hits the bottom of the grade. - Put your weight high for a slingshot effect when it hits the bottom of the grade. Center of gravity should be about 1" in front of the rear axle. If you use the stock block of Jummywood, do yourself a favor and drill out the axle holes a little with your DP before you try to drive the nails in. If you follow the directions that come with it, you'll split the damn thing every time. DAMHIKT. - Spin you wheels to polish the axle and wheel race. (GENTLY, Belt sander? - NO!) If you chuck the wheels on your lathe to polish them, go easy. Melted wheels don't turn very well. DAMHIKT. - Very small frontal area. With one exception, this seems to be true. Yes, but don't make the mistake we did. My son wanted to do a turned rocket car. (He actually turned the first one (*) himself, more or less.) It was a cool concept, but I stood there (I'm a leader) and watched it lose several heats because the little point didn't trip the electric eye efficiently. It never won a close race. It always won by a landslide, or not at all. (* had a teething puppy at the time, and the puppy ate the whole thing the day before the race, so Daddy made him a new one in a big hurry... flagrant cheating, but everyone involved knew what I had done, and why, and no one came to blows over it when it came in second overall... his original one might have placed that well...) The very thin, wedge shaped cars seemed to do a little better. However one year we had a pretty artistic rendition of a model T roadster that won. One year we had a block of wood with some Legos hot glued on it that took first place against everything. If you hold your mouth right and wiggle your pinkie toe while you set the car on the track, it has as much of an effect as all the engineering in the world. THE TRUE SECRETS OF SUCCESS IN THE PINEWOOD DERBY A - Work with your son - Let him have THE active role in design and build - Bury your ego - Have fun with your child and make him feel good! Yeah, and on race day you be sure to really swoon over the crappiest looking cars there. Those are the ones kids actually made. It really isn't a fair competition at all. The kid whose Dad has the best shop usually wins. Or the kid whose Dad is the biggest Pinewood Derby freak. Or both. If you want to do something nice, find the kids with single moms and help them make cars. A lot of kids don't have any tools at all. (OK, that's slightly sexist. Some single moms are probably wood dorkers. So find the kids with pussy dads too.) -- Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621 http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/ http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/ |
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