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.
How do you bend axles?
Using your 3/32″ hex key, loosen the set screw in the spring collar and slide it to the mark for the desired degree of bend and tighten. Place your thumb on the knob and pull the lever smoothly and steady with your index finger until the spring fully compresses to bend the axle.
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 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.
What is the fastest shape for a 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.
Can you bend an axle by hitting a curb?
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 are the 4 types of bend?
There are generally four (4) different methods of tube/pipe bending that can also be classified according to complexity. You’ll encounter the following: compression bending, rotary draw bending, roll bending, and mandrel tube bending.
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 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.
How do you make a fast Pinewood Derby car?
How to Make a Fast Pinewood Derby Car
- Avoid designs with a pointed nose.
- Leave enough wood in the rear of the Pinewood Derby car so you can place additional weight there.
- Make the maximum weight.
- Be sure that it is very clear which end of your Pinewood Derby car is the front and which end is the back.
What is the angle of a torsion axle?
Expert Reply: To allow for full articulation so you don’t have to worry about the tires bottoming out int he wheel wells, I’d recommend going with a 15° down torsion axle.
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.
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.
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 causes bent axles?
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.
What does a bent axle feel like?
Vibrations may be accompanied by an unusual rumbling noise underneath the vehicle, strange tire wobbling, or sluggish driving and steering, which may indicate a bent axle. Vibrations may be particularly noticeable during accelerations, decelerations, or turns.
What causes damage to an axle?
Things that can break your vehicle’s axle include poor maintenance; an auto accident; hitting curbs, potholes, or bumps too hard; and overloading your vehicle beyond its weight-bearing capacity. The axle is responsible for transferring the engine’s power and transmission’s torque to the wheels.
Are heavier pinewood derby cars 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 best paint for a pinewood derby car?
High-quality, Testors-Model Master acrylic paints are easy to apply, wash up with water, and most importantly, provide a great finish for your pinewood derby car.
What is the best weight for a 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.
Can hitting a pothole bend an axle?
7. Axle Damage. When your car hits a pothole at high speeds, the axle shaft can get bent or damaged. This is seen most often in vehicles with live axles.