Thanks for all the comments and advice on how to build a Pinewood Derby car. It’s amazing how many guys at the office are experts at building these things. Really, everyone seems to have the solution. There are a couple of places on the net making a rather tidy profit selling “never lose” plans too. But we wanted to not go that route so that THE BOY would be involved at every step of the process.

And yes AlaskaMike you did warn me about the ground clearance. I measured the car several times at home with the kit the Scout store sells and it always passed. It also passed at the workshop when we measured it. It was when we put it on the actual track that it got stuck.

A couple of you have commented that the car is not aerodynamically sound. That’s true. But at the size of the car (7 inches long) that is not as much of a factor as it would be on something bigger. In looking at past winners I noticed that the design had very little to do with the place the car runs. One thing that does play into the equation is friction. I’ve shaved and cleaned the tires as much as the rules will allow. The car uses regular nails as axles for the wheels. So to eliminate friction there I’ve sanded the shaft of the nails smooth. I used a file for the big work and then cloth coated in pumice for to remove all of the fine scratches.

Tonight we’ll set the wheels to the right gap and alignment. Once that is done I can epoxy them into place and we’ll be set.

There was a good bit of discussion last night about the second car. I still think we have time to get it ready, but I’ll be up late tonight to do it.

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TC

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