Rub graphite on your pinewood derby car body where the wheel hub runs against it. Use a new pencil. Rub the tip of the pencil erasor in the graphite then rub in on the car around where the axle goes into the slot. Don’t mix graphite and Oil.
What does graphite do for pinewood derby cars?
Powdered graphite is an excellent lubricant to reduce friction on pinewood derby axles. Why do you want to reduce friction on your axles? It’s simple physics; reduce friction to make your car faster. Stated another way, the fastest cars have the least friction.
Can you use graphite in Pinewood Derby car?
Dry graphite does not typically stick to metal or any non-porous surface. So, it does not stick to pinewood derby axles. However, it does stick to porous surfaces, specifically polystyrene, which is the plastic from which most pinewood derby wheels are made.
Where do you put the graphite derby car?
Rub graphite on your pinewood derby car body where the wheel hub runs against it. Use a new pencil. Rub the tip of the pencil erasor in the graphite then rub in on the car around where the axle goes into the slot.
Is it better to put weight on top or bottom of 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.
Can you put graphite in bearings?
By using carbon graphite instead of traditional lubricated bearings, drag-out conveyor manufacturers are able to provide a much less maintenance-intensive unit that results in huge cost savings. Wastewater pumps often require fairly heavy-duty bearings that are able to run directly submerged in water.
What makes a pinewood derby car go faster?
High-carbon graphite is used to lubricate the wheels of a Pinewood Derby car for increased speed and performance.
Can you use graphite after wd40?
Simple answer: don’t worry, there isn’t any adverse reaction between the two.
Can I put graphite in my ignition switch?
Graphite lube is a great trick to unstick ignitions and door locks. Sometimes, when the steering wheel locks, you will have a hard time turning the key.
What can I use instead of graphite spray?
A pencil works great for door lock lubricant in a pinch!
Simply rub the teeth of the key with a sharp pencil until the surface is covered with graphite.
Where do you use graphite lube?
With this in mind, it’s often best to use a graphite-based lubricant in applications where dust and dirt are a problem. That said, application such as locks, key slots, threaded rods, air compressors, hinges, and printer rails are perfect for a dry graphite-based lube.
How long does graphite take to dry?
Touch dry in approximately 1 minute. Fully cured in 2-4 hours. Lightly burnish the surface with a lint free cloth to remove ‘free’ graphite from the surface.
Should you bake a pinewood derby car?
Per the Pinewood Derby rules, the car’s weight shouldn’t exceed 5 ounces. One way to ensure your car doesn’t exceed the weight limit is to bake the block! Naturally, wood holds water, and water adds weight. You’ll want to help your Scout by baking the block in an oven at 250 degrees for one hour.
What is the best graphite for pinewood derby?
Pinewood Pro’s dry powdered PRO Graphite is a special blend of ultra-fine natural graphite with sub-micron molybdenum disulfide (also known as “moly”) additive to give you the best graphite blend to minimize friction and make your car the fastest it can be.
What is the fastest pinewood derby car design?
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.
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.
Which wheel should be raised on pinewood derby car?
Lift One of the Front Wheels, so it Doesn’t Touch the Track – If your competition allows it, raising one wheel is an easy way to reduce friction. Decide which wheel to lift by sending your car down a straight line and seeing which side of the line it drifts toward. If it drifts left, raise the left front wheel.
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.
Is graphite better for beginners?
The graphite shafts are more forgiving and do not sting when you mishit; beginner golfers should take advantage of that. Also, the lighter graphite shafts make the irons go farther when hit well, so it is a win-win for golfers in the game improvement section.
Can you use too much graphite in a lock?
It will start to gunk up the lock because the extra amount of graphite present is able to mix with dirt or dust, whereas contaminants would slide off with proper usage. There are graphite lubricants in spray form, which we recommend so you can avoid this issue.
Does graphite attract dust?
Unlike oil, grease and penetrating lubricants, graphite doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue. This eliminates the risk of attracting dirt, dust and other contaminants.