Derby Talk

The real question to me is how to run derby workshops. The derbies I've been involved with have always invested at least as much time and effort into the workshops as into the race itself.

For derby purposes, I tend to get gel CA glues, because they work better for emergency repairs (when the parts may no longer mate perfectly). They also work well for attaching decorations during workshops (although I use epoxy and wood glue for that too). I also tend to get the packages that have se...

Darin, I am truly shocked your rules have gone in the other direction. Well, like most rules changes, this one was in response to a technique that was considered unfair. At the time, I voted to make the technique available to everyone at our workshops, but the majority decided to go with the rule t...

Darin, I'm trying to figure out what rule it would violate. Is it "No sharp objects"? With our current rules, the screwdriver car design violates the rule about using the original kit, plus adhesives, lubricants, weights, and decorations. The screwdriver blade and the screw are part of the structur...

My screwdriver car is held together with CA glue. I turned the handle from a piece of the original block, and attached a Phillips screwdriver blade cut from a real screwdriver. The front wheels are attached to a wedge cut from the original block, with a Phillips screw inserted into a hole drilled in...

The night before the race, there isn't much you can do other than fine tuning, and maybe emergency repairs for cars that don't reach the finish line on the test track. Bandsaws and bench sanders are not needed. Neither are paint or paint booths. Drills or drill presses or Dremel tools might be neede...

At our workshops, I think I've had the kids apply a drop of Krytox on each axle, roll the axle to distribute the Krytox, then wipe off as much as they can with a dry cloth.

Using the drill press as a press? Surely not spinning axles while inserting. Our workshops have provided drill presses. We cut the head off an axle, then chuck it in the drill press. Then we turn the drill press on and lower the spinning axle into the slot. This makes it much easier for the kids to...

Working lights aren't that hard to do. There are even kits for adding working lights to a derby car, or I've seen kids add bits cannibalized from electronic toys to a derby car (which isn't much different from adding any other bits cannibalized from toys to a derby car). Lights that come on when the...

I've seen adults try to use workshops as a way to cut down the "tall poppies", by requiring that all work be done at the official workshops and even by prohibiting parental involvement during workshops. But except for that aberration, I think workshops are a good thing, and that it's better to teach...

How does the headlight light up during the race?

That seems like more work? I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to wood working so I’ll take your word for it. What do you suggest 1/4” sheets? I usually find it easier to build hollow boxes than to carve them. Actually, I've found it easier to build other shapes rather than to carve them. And I gener...

I purchased a 3x3x12 piece of balsa wood which I will whittle down to be the cab. Hollowing it almost completely out so it is more a shell than anything. When I've built cars like that, I've avoided all that carving by building a balsa or basswood box. Where the corners are rounded, I first reinfor...

We have 100 wood blocks measuring 3/4"x1 1/2"x6". I’m guessing this just high end centers the cars? What piece of lumber did you choose for this? I am thinking a 2x6 with 3/4” rips would work? I assumed that it was nominal 1x2 lumber like what I used. Ripping 3/4" slabs of 2x6 lumber could work, al...

I've seen people also use 1"x2"s or cardboard box tops. When I have displayed my own derby cars for viewing, I've just used pieces of 1x2 lumber. But if the cars are going to be moved and replaced several times (i.e., for an actual race), then I'd secure the pieces of 1x2 lumber somehow. A very sim...