Derby Talk

Is the bride a 1:1 scale?

I worked some with a PIC based timer and using either PICBasic or MikroeBasic for the progrmming. Mikroe has some good debugging interfaces that allow you to count exact instruction cycles, etc. I agree, for a PWD timer (expected ETs under 5 seconds, most under 3), there is not much likelihood of ac...

Very cool, and nice web layout! How accurate is the arduino and its code for millisecond resolution? For example (not knowing arduino code, but just glancing at the program), it seems like lane 1 could have some sort of advantage over lane 4 - in that it checks them in order. Is the instruction cycl...

Our local ACE Hardware had some, but the other big box stores generally have a very limited supply on hardware like this.

I have seen several though with the ubolt at an angle like Bob describes.

I'll jump in so Randy won't have to, and suggest looking at MaxV or one of the other vendors. They already sell some premade wedges or others designs, likely as cheap as full kit, but already cut. If the kids could be more involved, I would not suggest purchasing - but a wedge is not a cut most youn...

'Same Packing' - it is all in the 'stamp'. There will be an indented stamp...this is your indicator of the kit, not just the appearance. Even then, out of 170 kits this past season (WITH the new stamp), I still had 4 with old wheels. I dont' put anything past shoppers, be that BSA or not - but I thi...

Cost. Unless you find some used ones still in fair shape, a new set of SBD wheels are $110 ish. I think the Comtechs are closer to $40, if I remember. Yes, SBD Z-Glas wheels are 12", check your rules if they would be allowed. I liked the bearings in the Comtechs, however, I didn't think the tre...

I am not closely involved with the council, so I can't answer the questions. I too noticed the 75% rule. I don't remember that from last year, but I could be wrong. It does appear the reins have been passed from some folks who have organized it for many years, so change is bound to happen. But as we...

Registration now open for Houston area racers. Note it is a new website this year.

http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/scout_fair_mega_derby.php" target="_blank

Good luck all!

Kewl! The sat dishes really set it off.

Remember to use the 'News Crew' to just walk around with the truck and 'interview' audience members and such. Great for the few lulls that come up during a race.

Problems there can be avoided by using twisted-pair telephone wire rather than plain straight wires. Agree, but be sure to ground any un-used pairs in the cable. We went this year with CAT5 cabling from the head of the track down to the timer. These cables carried the mech start switch, the DC powe...

Problems there can be avoided by using twisted-pair telephone wire rather than plain straight wires. Agree, but be sure to ground any un-used pairs in the cable. We went this year with CAT5 cabling from the head of the track down to the timer. These cables carried the mech start switch, the DC powe...

Problems there can be avoided by using twisted-pair telephone wire rather than plain straight wires. Agree, but be sure to ground any un-used pairs in the cable. We went this year with CAT5 cabling from the head of the track down to the timer. These cables carried the mech start switch, the DC powe...

I use a tablesaw. Drill axles holes while still nice big and square, then setup the fence to cut 'off' the car slab. Leave a little extra for sanding smooth and any final curve shaping, etc. If using a bandsaw, search around for techniques on 'resawing'. In general use a wider blade and a slow consi...

Consider video as well. Setup a camera pointed up or down he track (not from side) and project that onto a second screen.

Elevation is great, just make plans for a sturdy base and to check the track for side-to-side-level at several intervals down the track.