Derby Talk

I am inferring from the question that the check-in procedure has already been decided and that the inspection process involves impounding the car. Shifting the inspections from beforehand to the night of the derby may not be an option. I am not trying to hijack this thread, but want to add a differe...

(2) Does anybody in this community know how to resolve the argument between committee member A and B? Something I would insert into the argument for having power tools at a workshop is this. Inherent in many scouting requirements is to do something with an adult. In the Bear requirements alone ther...

I think that FS's word "straightforward" is a better description "easy". I believe it took me about 90 minutes to assemble and involved mostly drilling holes. There is no soldering or electronics work. The instructions can be found here on Microwizard's website if you want to rea...

I would base your decision on both budget and what you need displayed at the finish line. If you plan to connec the timer to a computer and display results to the audience, then what is displayed at the finish line and what is displayed on the screen can be different. Based on what I have observed, ...

This weekend I finished the trophies for our pack's upcoming derby. The base is a 9" wide piece of 2x6 with a slight bevel ripped on the front. On top of the base is a 6.5" x 1.5" x 5/8" piece out of the same 2x6 for a car stand. The car stand is glued and pinned in place with a ...

Speedster wrote:WARNING ! ! !
With this latest information it may be too dangerous to build a Tesla Pinewood Derby car because of the difficulty in putting out a possible fire.

I second Speedster's warning. You would hate for this to happen to your car.

Another option would be to use Blastcar wheels for the rear, which are wider and taller than pinewood derby wheels. Light model airplane wheels could be used for the front (see this thread for a picture).

Here is an image of one of the trophies disassembled. The weld job is ugly, but it works.

Excepting the piston, how do the pieces attach to the platform (especially the round ones)? There is a bolt welded to the bottom of the part. The bolt fits through a hole in the trophy base with a washer and nut securing it from beneath in a counter-bored hole. I have access to one of these trophie...

Some have reported using carbon fiber rod to strengthen their cars (see here and here ). Though I have no experience, fiberglass may provide some strength, however the added weight of fiberglass may not be to your benefit. I can't think of a coating, brush on, or spray on product that would improve ...

I thought I would post some pictures of some homemade trophies that my brother made a couple of years ago. The gold part of the trophies were donated courtesy of a local mechanic. Notice that the trophies are blue and gold, which goes along with the Cub Scout colors. http://derby4rent.com/images/alb...

You may want to take a look at frisket film. It is a clear, mildly sticky film that is easily cut with an X-acto knife into whatever design you want. I have used it may times. Frisket film is generally available at art supply and some craft stores. In the SLC area I know that Hobby Lobby has it.

I agree that it is an interesting idea and would also like to see this tested somehow. I would worry about the magnets somehow affecting the car(s) next to it. If a multiple-lane track has 3.5" lanes then the axles of adjacent cars start about 3/4" apart and can get closer depending on lat...

I use a small shoebox-sized tote, which is much larger than it needs to be. I have a couple of sets of wheels and axles (without preparation), graphite, axle pliers, super glue, hot glue gun (though in several years I have yet to plug it in), and a completed car that has been specially prepared to b...

That is a fascinating concept. Thanks for posting it. I agree that most organizations wouldn't permit such a car, but it could potentially be an option in the future. I don't see much difference in 3D printing with ABS (or similar plastic) and using a CNC machine to cut a piece of pine or bass wood....