Search found 29 matches

by SteveJahr
Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:08 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Trigger mechanism for starting gate - ideas requested
Replies: 5
Views: 11696

Re: Trigger mechanism for starting gate - ideas requested

My starting gate uses an axle shaft of PVC pipe riding in bushings on the side of the track. A screw sticks up and engages in a notch in a lever that is pivoted on the edge of the track board. Rubber bands pull the starting gate open by wrapping around the PVC pipe and attaching to screws. Another r...
by SteveJahr
Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:54 pm
Forum: Space Derby
Topic: Where are there plans to build a Space Derby track?
Replies: 17
Views: 61750

Re: Where are there plans to build a Space Derby track?

TurtlePowered wrote: When the track is built you better check out how true the lines are so one fishing line doesn't always win.
Sounds like *another* application for NyOil :lol:
by SteveJahr
Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:51 pm
Forum: Solenoid Start Gates
Topic: start gate help
Replies: 16
Views: 33292

Re: start gate help

I gotta ask: Why add a solenoid? You can achieve the objective of consistent race starts without the complexity or cost of a solenoid starting gate. Just make the gate sprung open and latch it shut. Release the latch and rock. If you want, you can check out the start gate I built for my track in the...
by SteveJahr
Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:42 pm
Forum: General Coordinator Topics
Topic: PWD "background" activities
Replies: 3
Views: 7628

PWD "background" activities

Ok I stole this idea from a Girl Scout PowderPuff Derby, but the basic concept is that while the PWD race is a primary activity, it is not enough to keep a boy's interest for the entire time. Thus rather than have boys running around like Lord of the Flies it is a good idea to provide a more suitabl...
by SteveJahr
Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:21 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: PWD Inspection Rules?
Replies: 44
Views: 46578

Re: PWD Inspection Rules?

You know the thought I get out of following this thread is that there is a need for two different kinds of "rules": First there are the hard and fast rules. These are the ones that can be evaluated at a tech inspection and compliance verified in definitive manner. Easy example is max weigh...
by SteveJahr
Wed Feb 11, 2004 6:26 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Help - Buying Power Tools
Replies: 23
Views: 21948

Re: Help - Buying Power Tools

Good to see some of the recent comments re: band versus scroll saws. I had always considered a scroll saw useful and never considered a band saw. I was starting to wonder if I had missed something. Back on topic... It really does not take too much to build PWD cars. Now if you want to also build PWD...
by SteveJahr
Tue Feb 10, 2004 6:43 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: eBay okay?
Replies: 43
Views: 43447

Re: eBay okay?

I do not think we really can make a *rule* to eliminate somebody else building the car or running last years car. We certainly can set an expectation that it is inappropriate and is strongly discouraged for all the reasons already stated. And I think there is no excuse for it when we have workshops ...
by SteveJahr
Fri Feb 06, 2004 5:15 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Wheel to Wood Friction
Replies: 17
Views: 19366

Re: Wheel to Wood Friction

I am curious about the fiberglass resin though. Does anyone know if this really adds strength to the wood structure or would it have been better to leave the same thickness of wood there in the first place? I know that when combined with the fiberglass cloth it would be stronger... I also wonder ho...
by SteveJahr
Fri Feb 06, 2004 4:50 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: To have or not to have: district level PWD championships
Replies: 15
Views: 19836

Re: To have or not to have: district level PWD championships

You need a more specific referral ... to the chairman of the district committee responsible for Cub Scout Program! That person probably has a good grasp on what it would take to make it happen, and would be an indispensible supporter. That person would also probably know of any "history" ...
by SteveJahr
Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:08 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: To have or not to have: district level PWD championships
Replies: 15
Views: 19836

Re: To have or not to have: district level PWD championships

Assuming that you get this idea 'passed', keep in mind that all the packs will need to conform by a standard set of rules or you will run into some big issues. Some packs may be allowing extended wheel base cars...others may not... Once you have sold the idea the real work begins. Make the first ev...
by SteveJahr
Wed Feb 04, 2004 11:15 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Overweight Cars and rounding of displayed weight
Replies: 80
Views: 87983

Re: Overweight Cars and rounding of displayed weight

I have to relate a story... I had an early registration check-in for the first time in this pack. I had a car show up with 4 inserted weights that had been ground to be slightly concave. It was explained that the dad worked in a dental office and they had taken the car in to weigh it on the office s...
by SteveJahr
Wed Feb 04, 2004 11:00 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Methods for car registration/sticker location
Replies: 10
Views: 11355

Re: Methods for car registration/sticker location

We put the sticker on the top. It needs to be visible without one of us touching the car. Makes sense as per your process of boys staging their own cars, you need to be able to verify proper lane sequence staging. Likewise we get away with on the bottom as I stage the cars verifying lanes as I go, ...
by SteveJahr
Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:38 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Sanding epoxy?????
Replies: 4
Views: 6137

Re: Sanding epoxy?????

You do not want to breathe or get too much epoxy on your skin. Prolonged exposure can trigger allergic reactions and the affects are cumulative. Probably not a problem at the volumes of epoxy usage involved in PWD car construction, but good to know nonetheless. The best thing with epoxy, like fiberg...
by SteveJahr
Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:33 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Methods for car registration/sticker location
Replies: 10
Views: 11355

Re: Methods for car registration/sticker location

I too put the sticker on the bottom so as to not alter the appearance of the car that the boy created. I do sometimes find I need to re-stick them on but have never seen one hanging down part way as you describe. But then I do not use the friction ramp braking method either so there is very little t...
by SteveJahr
Tue Feb 03, 2004 6:07 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: To have or not to have: district level PWD championships
Replies: 15
Views: 19836

Re: To have or not to have: district level PWD championships

I think that PWD as a pack event is, in most cases, a positive program element. If the pack event is used to qualify racers to the district event, then the district event can give purpose and energy to the pack event. ... Good points. ...We allow anyone who wants to participate to enter the "R...