Search found 524 matches
- Wed Aug 06, 2003 10:28 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 38870
Re: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
Hugh's axles are between one and two thousandths smaller in diameter than standard axles. After preparing the standard axles (filing, sanding, polishing), they will be reduced a few thousandths as well. So there really isn't that much difference. The key to remember is that reducing the surface area...
- Tue Aug 05, 2003 9:49 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: How do I drill straight axle holes?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 23307
Re: How do I drill straight axle holes?
The problem with drilling all the way through the car is that the drill bit is virtually guaranteed to flex, creating a non-straight hole. At the size of a #44 bit, no material will always go straight. That is why I recommend drilling holes only half way through - much less flexing of the bit, and u...
- Mon Aug 04, 2003 2:22 pm
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: How do I drill straight axle holes?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 23307
Re: How do I drill straight axle holes?
I don't know exactly how you are using the mill, but many people make the mistake of: - referencing the right side holes to the left side of the block, and - referencing the left side holes to the right side of the block. This only works if the sides of the block are perfectly parallel. Most of the ...
- Mon Aug 04, 2003 2:05 pm
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 38870
Re: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
In response to Stan's post on rolling friction, my understanding (from referring to a text book) is that rolling fricting has the same formula:
friction = mass x frictionalcoefficent.
The other factors mentioned (wheel compression, etc) do have some effect, but are not friction per se.
friction = mass x frictionalcoefficent.
The other factors mentioned (wheel compression, etc) do have some effect, but are not friction per se.
- Fri Aug 01, 2003 6:42 pm
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 38870
Re: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
Well said Darin. Thus we conclude: 1. Lifting a front wheel does not reduce friction. The benefit is due to reduced starting inertia, elimination of the worst wheel, and easier alignment. 2. Grooving or narrowing of wheels does not reduce friction. The benefit is less wheel weight (lighter wheels ar...
- Thu Jul 31, 2003 6:07 pm
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Front Wheel Interaction with the Center rail
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12831
Re: Front Wheel Interaction with the Center rail
With axles cambered as described, the wheel hubs will constantly rub against the body of the car. Also, the distance between the wheels may be reduced slightly, resulting in more contact with the guide rail. Cambering wheels the other way also has its share of problems. So all things considered, I b...
- Thu Jul 31, 2003 6:03 pm
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 38870
Re: Axel Diameter: Is smaller really better?
I believe that just like in automobiles, a tighter tolerance is better. With small diameter axles, there is too much play in the wheel hub. As mentioned by RacerX, this can easily cause vibration and wobble that is undesireable.
- Tue Jul 22, 2003 10:34 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: To lead or not to lead? How about epoxy?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9776
Re: To lead or not to lead? How about epoxy?
Well, since I sell lead I have researched the topic a bit. Lead poisoning comes from ingesting lead, through the mouth, the nose, or otherwise. When you read about lead poisoning, 99.9% of the time it is from lead in the drinking water, or kids eating paint chips. According to my doctor, you cannot ...
- Mon Jul 21, 2003 10:42 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: Track selection
- Replies: 14
- Views: 23736
Re: Track selection
I have watched races run on a Piantedosi track. It certainly is a nice track from the wood surface perspective, but the starting gate needs to be redesigned. I witnessed a car 'launched into space' when the gate handle was twisted and then released quickly. I have a 2-lane BestTrack aluminum track w...
- Fri Jul 11, 2003 9:41 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Emergency Lubrication Question
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7101
Re: Emergency Lubrication Question
I agree with increasing the weight, but suggest not going over 12 ounces. Regarding lube, if you want to try a non-dry lube, use 'Gunk' brand heavy-duty silicon spray (available at Home Depot in our area). The key is to spray the axles, let them sit a few seconds, then wipe them off with a clean sof...
- Thu Jul 10, 2003 10:44 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: Awana Wheel Mold Numbers
- Replies: 7
- Views: 10120
Re: Awana Wheel Mold Numbers
Actually, I had never noticed the Awana mold numbers before (of course I didn't notice the BSA numbers until RacerX told me about them. Although - as you indicate - there is variation, the Awana wheels are much more consistent than the BSA wheels. With Awana wheels, we have always used what we recei...
- Tue Jul 08, 2003 10:31 am
- Forum: Cool Websites
- Topic: Pinewood Derby Car Building Tips Web Site
- Replies: 0
- Views: 23670
Pinewood Derby Car Building Tips Web Site
Like gpraceman, I am a bit biased towards my non-commercial site Pinewood Derby Car Building Tips.
I don't get to update it as much as I would like, but I believe it is unique in that it offers some tool tips, and how to recover from boo-boos.
I don't get to update it as much as I would like, but I believe it is unique in that it offers some tool tips, and how to recover from boo-boos.
- Tue Jul 08, 2003 10:24 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: To True or not to True, that is the question!
- Replies: 43
- Views: 53931
Re: To True or not to True, that is the question!
Regarding the mold numbers, are there certain numbers that you prefer, or do you just try to find a set of 4 that match? Which mold numbers do you like the best?
- Mon Jul 07, 2003 10:11 am
- Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
- Topic: To True or not to True, that is the question!
- Replies: 43
- Views: 53931
Lathed wheels
We do lathe our Awana wheels. They are actually more true than BSA wheels, but the lathe does make sure they are round.
I set up the lathe, but my kids mount each of their wheels and turn the knobs.
I set up the lathe, but my kids mount each of their wheels and turn the knobs.