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Post by swampfox201 on Feb 26, 2007 5:26:47 GMT 1
I'm a Cubmaster with our local cub scout troop. We had our annual pinewood derby today and my 9 year old competed. We also have a 4 year old who is too young to compete but we made him a car also. The rules state that gravity only will be used to propel the car down the slanted track but we modified my younger one's up a little using the guts of an airhog.  After the "official" race was over we let him have a shot at the grand champion. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI2xjcWLk40Todd |
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Post by mrmugen on Mar 2, 2007 1:33:35 GMT 1
That was cool! I bet he felt so good after that. I remember my days as a scout in the derby. Thats was a cool event and I'll never forget it. Nice job!
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Post by swampfox201 on Mar 2, 2007 4:38:09 GMT 1
Thank you. Yes they were both excited but my younger one asked me everyday when the race was.
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Post by lawndart63 on Mar 3, 2007 7:05:07 GMT 1
Yup yer kid had him whooped,
Okay so maybe you can introduce the UNLIMITED class next year. Wow, I remember those days. Graphite and adjusting the axle nails for maximum glide. Wahoo! Thanks for the memories Swampfox! Andy
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jt01
Squadron leader
Posts: 166
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Post by jt01 on Mar 4, 2007 3:24:48 GMT 1
Todd,Great looking cars! Thank you to you for being a cub master.It can be a very thankless job trying to keep the parents happy.My son just crossed over to the boy scouts in Feb. The pine wood derby is a very exciting time and a great father son experience.We have built cars for three races.His personal preference has been for them to be red,white and blue,have the number 8 as in Dale Jr.,and have a flag on them.The coupe in the middle was the only exception because it's a replica of the Pierson bros. 32 ford that held a Bonneville record.He has been invited back for one more race on the 24th of this month.Thanks again for people like you that keep this important organization going. Jim  |
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Post by swampfox201 on Mar 4, 2007 5:51:03 GMT 1
Wow thanks guys. I never thought I would find so many cub scout parents on this forum.
jt01 it's obvious that you spent a lot of time working on the cars. They really look nice. Good luck on the 24th. Do you have any race secrets? We bought 2 car sets this year and I spun the nails in a drill. Took both car sets to find 4 nails that were straight. It was amazing how bent some of them were.
Todd
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Post by mrmugen on Mar 4, 2007 9:42:28 GMT 1
powdered graphite! Use lots of it. When I raced in the early 80's we used it to color the hunk of wood too. I have a silverish car and did it that way every year.........never lost either. I still have them at my parents house in plexigass cases we made for them with the ribbons.
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jt01
Squadron leader
Posts: 166
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Post by jt01 on Mar 4, 2007 20:56:37 GMT 1
Todd, your on the right track so to speak. Use the straightest axle's you can find and deburr them.Use some sort of polishing compound to finish them off.Use lots of graphite and spin the wheels to break in.The wheel should spin at least 25 seconds with a good flick of your finger.DO NOT add graphite just before the race.I did this on his truck and found that until it wears in it acts like a brake.Make it so that the wheels are slanted in at the top slightly so there is less tire on the track,also have one front wheel slightly high so only 3 wheels touch the track.Don't raise it too much though,most rules state that all wheels must touch.
My son really enjoys building the cars.I rough them out on a table saw and he finishes them with a coping saw and chisel,sands and paints them.The axle's are my job.
Jim
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jt01
Squadron leader
Posts: 166
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Post by jt01 on Mar 24, 2007 1:29:23 GMT 1
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Post by swampfox201 on Mar 24, 2007 2:20:57 GMT 1
LOL That was cool. Good luck with the race. It sure looks fast.
Todd
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itchycods
Flight lieutenant
Crashes without warning
Posts: 48
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Post by itchycods on Apr 15, 2007 15:59:53 GMT 1
jt, good tricks! I remember those days!!
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