Matt’s Dad Pinewood Ninja Some of the derby dads that I’ve talked to say that 1/2 to 1 degree is the way to go, just enough to get the wheels to gravitate out.
What angle do you bend a pinewood derby axle?
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.
What is the angle of a pinewood derby track?
The slope of the track should start at 30 degrees at the starting gate, changing gradually to 0 degrees by about 12 feet from the start. The rest of the track should be flat. The finish line should be at ground level, but consider raising the entire track to provide better visibility.
What shape makes the fastest pinewood derby car?
wedge
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.
Should a pinewood derby car be light or heavy?
8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow. In general, it’s best to place weight to the rear of your car because a heavier rear increases speed.
What is the angle of a torsion axle?
What are the common starting angles available for torsion axles? The common angles are 45° down, 22.5° down, 0°, 10° up, and 22.5° up. 0° starting angle: The center of the spindle is on the same horizontal plane as the center of the axle beam.
How do you select the correct speed for a bend?
You should be driving at a constant speed towards the bend. A good rule of thumb is that, after the gear change, there should be at least 2 seconds between your hand returning to the steering wheel and your turning of the steering wheel to steer through the bend.
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. You can then add more weight to the back of the car.
Where should Pinewood Derby center of gravity be?
Many pinewood car building experts agree that the ideal CG location is about ¾” just forward of the rear axle (assumes a standard pinewood derby car wheel base of 4 3/8”).
Where do you put weights on a Pinewood Derby car?
Best Location to Weight Your Pinewood Derby Car
When deciding on where to weight your car, you should try to reach a final balance point of the car 1 inch or less in front of the rear axle. To achieve this, place 2/5 of the added weight behind the rear axle, and the remaining 3/5 in front of the rear axle.
Does a longer wheelbase make a pinewood derby car faster?
The longer the wheel base, the greater the turning distance (a short car turns much more quickly than a long car). A pinewood derby car should go as straight as possible, so a longer wheel base is an advantage.
Do heavier pinewood derby cars go 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 perfect weight for a pinewood derby car?
The more your pine car weighs, the faster it will go on a downhill ramp. 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.
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.
What is a fast speed for pinewood derby car?
The distribution plot below shows a range of speeds from 177 mph to 229 mph, with most cars exceeding 200 mph.
Why are torsion axles better?
Torsion axles are mounted directly to the frame which means fewer moving parts compared to spring suspensions, resulting in a smoother shock action. This stiffens the frame, reducing flex. This system is also less likely to corrode because the axle tube is galvanized inside and out.
Are torsion axles worth it?
Torsion trailer axles offer a smoother ride and less maintenance. Leaf springs are more durable, less expensive and far easier to replace parts on. Selecting the proper axle is as simple as determining your application, and figuring out the loads you need to carry.
What is twisting angle?
The twist angle is defined as the angle between the plane of the anchoring ring and the square plane containing the metal and its four directly bonded atoms. From: Pincer Compounds, 2018.
How do you stop harsh cornering?
Addressing harsh cornering
First, remind everyone to slow down when approaching a turn or curve. Whether they’re driving a sedan or a semi-truck, lower speeds equal lower risk. Remind drivers to pay attention to the road, especially during a turn.
How do you calculate bend angle?
Input everything into the bend allowance formula: BA = angle × (π/180) × (radius + K-factor × thickness) .
Should you sand Pinewood Derby wheels?
Sand and Polish Your Wheels and Axles
Design the fastest car at the Pinewood Derby and prepare for a fun race against other Scouts!