The wheel base (distance from front axle to the rear axle) may not be altered. The cut slots must be used for the axles and the wheel base distance must be 4-1/4 to 4 3/8 inches. 8.
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.
Where should the center of gravity be on a pinewood derby car?
Putting Pinewood Derby® Car Weight randomly on your PWD car is not the key to getting the most out of your build. Center of gravity placement should be between 1⁄2″ – 1″ in front of the rear axle. This is true for all wheel base types.
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.
How do you mount pinewood derby wheels?
Pinewood Derby Axle Installer
- 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.
Can you move the wheels on a Pinewood Derby car?
You may not significantly change the wheel dimensions. Wheels may be sanded/lathed/filed to smooth out molding imperfections in the tread area. The contact surface of the wheel must be flat as it sits on the track.
How long should pinewood derby wheels spin?
You can also polish (with graphite again) the wheel’s bore. Once your axles and wheels are finished, a good rule of thumb is that, with a flick of a finger, they should be able to freely spin for 20 seconds.
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.
Should I bake my pinewood derby car?
Per the Pinewood Derby rules, the weight of the car shouldn’t exceed 5 ounces. One way to ensure your car doesn’t go over 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.
Can you use washers as weights for pinewood derby car?
Common steel washers can also be used. They weigh much less than a fender washer, so they are best used for trim weighting. I have also used them on a “Speed Bolt” for an aesthetic look. There are several types of hardware that can readily be used for embedded weight.
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.
How do you make a pinewood derby car super fast?
10 Tips and Tricks to a Fast and Cool Looking Pinewood Derby Car
- Bake your block.
- Max out your weight at the regulation 5 ounces.
- Use all of the graphite.
- Sand and polish your wheels and axles.
- Check alignment.
- Spend time sanding.
- Use a high-quality paint.
- Add decals.
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.
Can you use wd40 on a pinewood derby car?
No wet lubricant is allowed.
What is the best length for a pinewood derby car?
Pinewood Derby Rules
- The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces.
- The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
- The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
- The maximum height of the car cannot exceed 5 inches (Adjust this limit so that the cars will pass under your finish gate).
Do heavier pinewood derby cars go faster?
Weight and Distribution
One of the most fundamental rules in the Pinewood Derby is the maximum weight limit of 5.000 ounces, or 141.643 grams. Simple physical principles dictate that a heavier car will run faster.
Should you sand pinewood derby wheels?
The hub can be coned using a lathe, a rotary tool or drill press with a grinder bit, or a special hub tool for pinewood derby wheels. When the plastic has been removed, the hub surface should be sanded first with #220 and then #400 sandpaper and buffed with a plastic polish.
Do you glue pinewood derby axles?
For pinewood derby cars, white glue works fine for gluing wood to wood (such as adding wood accessories) and for repairing chips or cracks in the wood. It can also be used for holding the axles in place.
Can a pinewood derby car have 3 wheels?
You may sand the wheels to remove the seam or other imperfections on the surface, but the profile may not be changed (i.e. you can’t make the wheel width thinner). c. Cars can run with 3 wheels touching the track, but the 4th must be installed.
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.
Can you use duct tape on a pinewood derby car?
No tape will be allowed and no other lubing or modifications will be permitted.