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Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:12 am
by billbillb
Does anybody know of any commercial sources for a autowinder ? We are having our first pack space derby.
Please email me directly @ trainbb@aol.com

Thanks
Bill Williams

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:15 pm
by jrz_dad
We used the Fiskars hand drills - just chucked a cupholder hook in place and started winding. The ratio was about 3.5 to 1. They worked really well for us. We found them at ACE Hardware.

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-fiskars-h ... 48232.html

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:05 pm
by Drag'ngoat
I had to reply to this one because three years ago I witnessed my first space derby. The hand drills worked but I thought we could do things a little better. The following year I came up with "The Binder Winder". It's a simple machine that not only winds 4 space derby's at a time, but it also counts the number of turns. Our pack uses 3 rubber bands which are soaked in glycerin and we wind them up to 110 turns. Broken rubber bands are few and far between and the Binder Winder can make the 110 turns in about 10 seconds using an average cordless drill. If you would like, I can try to dig up some pictures of the machine and email them to you. By the way, my machine cost about $100 in parts but you might be able to do it cheaper by using different materials. Personally, I think it was worth every penny since the kids really like racing their rockets and it removes much of the frustrations due to broken binders, lost counts, and long down time between rounds.

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:02 am
by Need for Speed
Please send pic's and more info on your Binder Winder.

Thanks!!!

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:16 am
by MaxV
You can buy a winder from the following two sources:

http://www.peck-polymers.com/
click on "Accessories", then "Rubber, Winders & Accessories"

They have a 5-to-1, and a 10-to-1 for $18. I expect it is a bit more beefy than the next one.

https://scoutnet.scouting.org/BSASupply ... &item=7910

This is a 5-to-1 winder for $5.95.

Note that you will also need an s-hook. You can make one yourself from a stiff wire (coat hanger), or get it from scoutstuff (which is part of their part number 17097. I didn't find it in the on-line catalog, so you would need to call).

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:05 am
by Drag'ngoat
I don't see a way to post pictures on this forum, is it possible or am I missing something? :?: I have pictures of my binder winder and I'd like to share them without sending individual emails to each person that wants to view them.

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:49 am
by gpraceman
Drag'ngoat wrote:I don't see a way to post pictures on this forum, is it possible or am I missing something? :?: I have pictures of my binder winder and I'd like to share them without sending individual emails to each person that wants to view them.
Instructions to post images are at http://derbytalk.com/faq.php?mode=bbcode#9. The image must already be uploaded to a website somewhere.

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:33 pm
by RTW26
Hey guys,
Has anyone used the Sky Blade electric winder?

http://www.innovatoys.com/Merchant2/mer ... gory_Code=

Image


They look like they have a counter to tell how many winds, but I'm concerned about how long the battery will last, and if the unit can stand up to a day of racing.

Thanks!

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:09 am
by Drag'ngoat
I saw one of those hand held models last night at a local space derby. It looked alot like the one that was pictured on the previous post. Although it was easy to use and certainly portable, it looked like it had trouble winding only (2) rubber bands up to 100 turns. Our pack runs (3) binders and we wind them up to 110 turns. We get it done in less than 15 seconds, four at a time.

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:14 am
by Drag'ngoat
I forgot to mention that by the end of the race the batteries in the hand held model must have given out because the kids were winding up their own rockets for the last couple of races. :shock:

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:29 am
by provo61
Hello everyone.... We ran our Space Derby this weekend .... I built the track THANKS to PACK 80 plans..... VERY NICE... As far far as the winders we bought INNOVATOYS SKY BLADE WINDERS after only a few races the counters wouldn't reset and it seemed the gears were stripping out and the motor just didn't have enough torque, we ran both 2 and 3 rubber band. We ended up winding and counting by hand, maked for a long nite...... BINDER WINDER for next year. Have a great day!!!!!

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:08 pm
by bradleystone
Drag'ngoat-can you email me design, photos of the "Binder Winder"?

bstone@refractec.com

Thanks
brad
Drag'ngoat wrote:I had to reply to this one because three years ago I witnessed my first space derby. The hand drills worked but I thought we could do things a little better. The following year I came up with "The Binder Winder". It's a simple machine that not only winds 4 space derby's at a time, but it also counts the number of turns. Our pack uses 3 rubber bands which are soaked in glycerin and we wind them up to 110 turns. Broken rubber bands are few and far between and the Binder Winder can make the 110 turns in about 10 seconds using an average cordless drill. If you would like, I can try to dig up some pictures of the machine and email them to you. By the way, my machine cost about $100 in parts but you might be able to do it cheaper by using different materials. Personally, I think it was worth every penny since the kids really like racing their rockets and it removes much of the frustrations due to broken binders, lost counts, and long down time between rounds.

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:52 pm
by Drag'ngoat
I finally got a video of the Binderwinder in action. It's a low quality video but you can see how we do it. The video is from our packs space derby that was held this past monday. Just for the record, I have two boys and one wanted to make his rocket look like a school bus and the other one wanted to win. The schoolbus stopped moving at about half track (18 feet) and the fast one seemed gain speed througout the entire length of the course. The fast one had no fins and a very thin (1/8") wall thickness.

Here is the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2ghBtUj7HU

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:14 pm
by gpraceman
Drag'ngoat wrote:I finally got a video of the Binderwinder in action. It's a low quality video but you can see how we do it.
Pretty snazzy. So, when you going to start marketing these things? :wink:

Re: Space Derby Autowinder Sources needed

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:46 am
by bradleystone
Drag N Goat,

VERY COOL winder. Video is great. Do you have any plans or drawings to replicate???? I have 85 boys in my Pack and our Derby is in Feb, so I have time to build this Binder winder, but need details.

Thanks

brad