The Pro Axle Bender is a fully adjustable precision tool designed to bend all Pinewood Derby Car axles for alignment and tuning. Its unique cup-in-lever design prevents distortion in multi-groove axles and eliminates any additional grooving at the bend point for stainless steel axles.
How much does it cost to 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.
How do you bend a derby axle without a bender?
Lay the axle into the indention you’ve made, with the alignment mark at the 12 o’ clock position. Clamp it with the pliers at the edge of the wood. Place your other hand over the one holding the pliers and apply gentle, steady downward pressure. Less is more, and it’s better to underbend than over.
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.
Can you bend an axle?
They, along with the transmission, take the power from the engine and transfer it to the wheels. They are built to last but can be bent or broken if you run over a curb, hit a pothole at high speeds, or are involved in an auto collision.
Is it legal to sand Pinewood Derby wheels?
Wheels may be lightly sanded and polished to remove imperfections. This light sanding and polishing is the only wheel modification allowed.
What is the fastest Pinewood Derby shape?
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.
Is it better to have more weight in front or back of Pinewood Derby?
PUT MOST OF THE WEIGHT IN THE BACK
Science says the heaviest part of your car should be about 1 inch in front of the rear axle. The idea is that the farther back the weight is, the more potential energy you have because your center of mass is higher up on the track.
How easy is it to bend pine?
Softer woods are easier to bend, so pine, fir, and spruce are prime choices. Straight, vertical grain is far better for bending boards than wood with visible rings or C-shaped patterns in its end grain.
How do you tell if you bend an axle?
Four Common Symptoms of a Broken Axle Shaft
- Wobble or Vibration. When you’ve bent or broken an axle shaft, like the one shown above, one of the first signs you’ll notice is a slight wobble at lower speeds.
- Visible Misalignment In The Tires.
- Sensitive Brakes.
- Leakage…
- At V&F.
How do I know if my axel is bent?
Top 6 Signs of a Damaged or Broken Car Axle
- Leaking.
- Brake Pad Misalignment.
- Wheel Wobbling & Vibrations.
- 4. “
- Vehicle Strains. Car axles are fairly resilient, but when they’re under pressure, you’ll feel it in the gas pedal.
- Car Won’t Budge. The most obvious sign of a broken axle is when your car tires won’t rotate.
Can you drill axle holes Pinewood Derby?
To achieve excellent wheel alignment, an important factor in building a competitive pinewood derby car, using accurately drilled axle holes (instead of slots) is the method of choice.
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.
Is a heavier pinewood derby car 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.
Can a pinewood derby car be shorter than 7 inches?
Length and Wheelbase of Pinewood Derby Cars. The length of your Pinewood Derby car is very simple to choose. The rules state a maximum 7-inch length. You want the car to be that long, minus just a little bit (say 1/16″) to allow for judging and measurement slop.
What causes axles to bend?
While they’re designed to be very strong and should last for a long time, they can be damaged. This can occur during an auto accident, running over a curb, or even hitting a particularly deep pothole at higher speeds. The result is a bent axle.
Can hitting curb bend axle?
Beyond the wheels and tires, the hub, axle, steering arms, shocks, struts, and other suspension components can be bent or broken by a curb hit.
What does flipping an axle do?
The main reason that spring axles are flipped is to create additional ground clearance. Most trailers come with the springs mounted under the axles and lower to the ground. Axles are generally underslung from the factory, offering a lower center of gravity, more stability, and better aerodynamics.
Can you use wd40 on a Pinewood Derby car?
No wet lubricant is allowed.
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.
Is graphite allowed in Pinewood Derby?
Pinewood derby race rules do not allow racers to add additional graphite to their axles between heats. As a result, the graphite blows off the axle with each run down the track. As the graphite blows off, friction increases, and your car slows down.