A large source of friction is the rubbing that goes on between the wheel and the Pinewood Derby car body. Some people angle the axles up in an attempt to keep the wheel away from the body. A better solution is our graphite pads. These are 1/4″ self adhesive pads that are placed over the axle hole on the body.
How do you reduce friction on a pinewood derby car?
The easiest way to reduce friction is to lubricate the surfaces that cause friction. Lubrication is an essential part of pinewood derby racing. Purchase a tube of dry PRO Graphite with moly and shoot it onto the axle shaft and inside the wheel bore. Spin the wheel so the graphite works in.
How can I make my Pinewood Derby wheels faster?
- Put all of your weight in the back. …
- Lube the car at the body/wheel friction point. …
- Spend a fair amount of time on axle prep. …
- Make sure your wheels are ready. …
- Finally, once your wheels are mounted, check their alignment.
Should I 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.
How do you make a Pinewood Derby car go faster?
- Bake your block. …
- Max out your weight at the regulation 5 ounces. …
- Use all of the graphite (dry lubricant is usually allowed). …
- Sand and polish your wheels and axles. …
- Check alignment. …
- Spend time on sanding. …
- Use a high-quality paint. …
- Add decals!
Are Bent axles legal in Pinewood Derby?
Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class. Although canted axles are allowed in both. A canted axle is straight throughout its length.
Should I sand my Pinewood Derby wheels?
In the past, pinewood derby wheels had a mold mark on the wheel tread that had to be removed by sanding. The new wheels no longer have a mold mark. Sanding can still help by removing variations in the wheel circumference making the wheel rounder but sanding is no longer as necessary as it was.
What is the maximum weight for 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.
What do you use to polish Pinewood Derby axles?
Use polishing compound from the auto supply store to polish the wheels and axles. One easy way to do this is to clamp the axles back in the drill and let the drill spin the axle while you polish it.
Where is the best place for weights 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.
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How do you attach a Pinewood Derby axle?
- Lubricate the wheel and axle – Slide the axle into the wheel. …
- Place the wheel/axle on the base with the pointed end of the axle up.
- Place the Axle Guide in the axle slot. …
- Hold the Axle Guide in place with your thumb then gently press the car body straight down on the axle.
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.
What is the best lube for pinewood derby cars?
Graphite is perhaps the most widely used and accepted Pinewood Derby lubricant out there. Molybdenum (Moly) is also used, both alone and more commonly, mixed with graphite. Graphite and graphite with moly are the best lubricants for your car.
How can I make my soap box derby car faster?
Weight: Numerous formula-based calculations and real-life experiments have been done to determine if a heavier or slower soap box derby car will go faster. Consensus is that adding weight gives the car more momentum (acceleration/top speed) and cuts down on air resistance/drag.
Where do you bend Pinewood Derby axles?
We recommend installing axles with a 1.5° bend for the front of the car and 2.5° bend for the rear. The axles heads are marked in the direction of the bend. Install the axles with the mark straight up. The alignment procedure requires turning the axles while they are in the car slot.
Is graphite legal in pinewood derby?
Graphite-coatings on axles and wheels are legal as long as your race rules allow graphite or dry lubricants. All of our pre-cut derby blocks, car kits and pre-made pinewood derby cars conform to official BSA and Awana car dimensions.
What kind of wood is used for pinewood derby cars?
Pine – Any of a variety of soft, light-colored woods used for pinewood derby kits. Ponderosa Pine – A soft western pine. Sugar Pine – A soft, western pine noted for a sweet smell. White Pine – A soft eastern pine.
Can a pinewood derby car have 3 wheels?
Especially when using axle slots, it is often quite difficult to get all four wheels to touch the ground evenly. In fact, many times people end up with three-wheeled pinewood derby cars by accident! Don’t let your car design be accidental.
What can I use for pinewood derby weights?
- Zinc Top Weight.
- Lead Wire Weights.
- Tungsten Weights.
- Tungsten Canopy.
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.
Are you allowed to add weight to a Pinewood Derby car?
The maximum weight limit for a pinewood derby car is 5 ounces. Plan on adding 2 to 3.5 oz of weight to your car, depending on your car design and the weight of your pine wood block. A chunky car design has more wood so it needs less weight. A thin, small car design has less wood so it needs more weight.
How fast do pinewood derby cars go mph?
The Speed of Pinewood Derby Cars The distribution plot below shows a range of speeds from 177 mph to 229 mph, with most cars exceeding 200 mph.
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.
