Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Pack 802Pinewood Derby Clinic

12/9/01

by Scott Hamilton, Jeff Tobia & Mike Van Meter

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Introductions

Scott• Winner of Pack 637 Pinewood Derby in

1971• With trophy to prove it!

Jeff• Creator of Pinewood Derby Clinic concept

Mike• Helped design last year’s 2nd place car

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Overview of Pinewood Derby

Parent/son project

Build the car• Follow the rules!

Register and try out the car• Saturday morning registration

– Cars are weighed in and checked for conformance to the rules

Race• Saturday afternoon race

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

How to Build a Car

Buy one (or more) kits• Pack meeting

– Pack gets a portion of the proceeds

• Macalou’s• Council

Design it• Determine if you will be competing in:

– Speed competition, design competition or both

• Design first on paper• Then on wood

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Shape it• Whittle• Belt sander• Band saw• Wood plane• Rasp• Sandpaper

How to Build a Car

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Bring to race weight• Weigh with wheels/axles/decorations (don’t

forget paint will add a little)• Lighten it

– Drilling– Hollowing

• Make it heavier– Lead tape– Fishing weights– Washers– Weight kits from cub store/hobby shop

How to Build a Car

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Decorate it• Sand• Primer• Sand• Paint/stain• Sand• Seal

– Polyurethane

• Add stickers/decals– Available at Macalou’s

• Tape

How to Build a Car

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Decorate it (cont’d)• Glue-on:

– Model parts– Figurines– Fenders

Nail/groove treatments

Attach wheels/axles• Sand edges• Glue axles to body

– Don’t want the wheels coming off in the middle of a race

How to Build a Car

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Lubricate car• Graphite• Teflon white lube

Weigh it again

How to Build a Car

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Rules Overview

Technical rules

How heats are run

Design awards

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Axle grooves• Straight• Rear of car selected so that rear axle

groove is closest to the rear

Weight• Heavier is better

– Weight limit is typically 5.0 oz

• Further back is better– But not so far back that car becomes unstable

Aerodynamics count!

Design Tips - Use At Your Own Risk!

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

Reduce all sources of friction• Track to wheel• Wheel to axle• Wheel to body

Car should roll straight• Check by rolling on floor or table

Design Tips - Use At Your Own Risk!

Pack 802 Confidential 12/9/01

In Conclusion

Start to build your car earlier rather than later

Have fun building the car with your Scout

Follow the rules to avoid problems at registration

Enjoy the competitions• Speed and design• Emphasize good sportsmanship

Who needs help?