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Should I sand the wheels on a Pinewood Derby car?
In the past, pinewood derby wheels had a mold mark on the wheel tread that had to be removed by sanding. The new wheels no longer have a mold mark. Sanding can still help by removing variations in the wheel circumference making the wheel rounder but sanding is no longer as necessary as it was.
Should I glue Pinewood Derby axles?
7. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels. 8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow.
Are Bent axles legal in Pinewood Derby?
No. Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class.
How can I make my derby wheels faster?
5 Quick & Easy Tips For Improving Your Pinewood Derby Car’s Speed
- Put all of your weight in the back.
- Lube the car at the body/wheel friction point.
- Spend a fair amount of time on axle prep.
- Make sure your wheels are ready.
- Finally, once your wheels are mounted, check their alignment.
Do heavier pinewood derby cars go faster?
Weight and Placement in Pinewood Derby Cars. 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.
Can a pinewood derby car have 3 wheels?
Especially when using axle slots, it is often quite difficult to get all four wheels to touch the ground evenly. In fact, many times people end up with three-wheeled pinewood derby cars by accident! Don’t let your car design be accidental.
How much does it cost to 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. The alignment procedure requires turning the axles while they are in the car slot.
How do you put a wheel in a pinewood derby car?
Just insert the Tool Wheel Clearance slot between the wheel and car body, then push the wheel in as far as it will go against the tool. Remove the tool and you have perfect wheel spacing!
What causes friction in a pinewood derby car?
A large source of friction is the rubbing that goes on between the wheel and the Pinewood Derby car body. Some people angle the axles up in an attempt to keep the wheel away from the body. A better solution is our graphite pads. These are 1/4″ self adhesive pads that are placed over the axle hole on the body.
How are graphite pads used in Pinewood Derby?
Some people angle the axles up in an attempt to keep the wheel away from the body. A better solution is our graphite pads. These are 1/4″ self adhesive pads that are placed over the axle hole on the body. The axle is placed through the center of the pad. Now the wheel will rub against the pad instead of the car body greatly reducing friction.
When to lubricate your car for the pinewood derby?
If you are using graphite then there is no time limit on when you can lubricate your car. Just keep your car in a shoe box after lubricating until the race. If you are using oil, the oil will slowly evaporate over time so you should lubricate the car within a week of the race.