Ask to run pit area. What should we have available?

[PWD]

I was asked to run the pit area for our derby. This is the area to get the car ready for checkin. What should I have in the pit? What I am thinking:

- Super glue. Lots of super glue.
- Rubber glove so don't destory hands using super glue
- Scales. Thinking of bringing two scales
- 5oz weight to verify scales are working properly
- Regular rechargeable hand drills. Think I will bring atleast two.
- #44 drill bits? Not sure if this is the place to be drilling new axle holes
- Variety of larger drill bits
- Graphite/moly. Have to find some cheap stuff. Will create a mess. Should I bring? I purchased some small air blowers usually used for glue. These might help.
- Weights. I don't know what to bring. My supply of tungsten is too expensive to bring. I have tons of lead from the past but I think this is too dangerous to bring. I don't have any of the Zinc weights. Guess I should bring these? Can I buy them inexpensively? Where? Do they come in a variety of sizes?

What else should I be brining?

Thanks for any help!

[pwdarchitect]

Instead of the super glue which could get into the wheel bore I would rather bring a Hot Glue Gun.

A good supply of pennies would do the trick rather inexpensively for the weight issue.

Jim

[PWD]

Great idea on the glue gun. One thing I hate about the super glue is that it is very difficult to get off of your hands.

I will bring a bunch of pennies for weights. Nice and cheap

Anyone else with some ideas?

[Stan Pope]

If it is a district or council event, ask your DE to bring a consignment of wheel/axle kits, just in case... maybe one kit for every 15 to 25 registrants.

A ProBody tool for axle holes is good idea, but be prepared to supervise its use.

Watch out for the "tails" on hot glue ... my grandson got one of those tangled in his axle and the car went from "streaking" to "creaking" halfway through the races. Dunno where it came from, us or track trash, but it "killed" a good car.

[Mr. Slick]

Large CLOTH painter's tarp to puyt under the tables to catch the mess that always seems to get to the floor.

Hot Glue -- a couple would be good --- lots of sticks and keep at least one gun hot.

Pro-body tool with drill bit -- common to have a rear axle break the wood because it was too close to the end -- common when they use the design from the picture on the box -- this also saves on the alignment issues.

Flat washers of various sizes for adding weight. Hot melt in the middle and spots around the edge holds real well - can even stack them.

Small straight edge screw driver and extra screws for the screw-on weight triangle things

Duct tape - a couple of colors, red, white, blue, black can help out lots.

Your own water supply - small cooler with water bottles for you to have so you don't have to leave the area. Dont drink too much or you will have to leave!

Tissues to wipe of extra graphite.

[ExtremePWD]

Small files or deburred axles in case a newbie shows up with axle flashing

[PWD]

Thanks for all the tips. Stan it is just a pack race. I will have to see if there is any issue bringing graphite into the school.

I really like the idea of a tarp to catch stuff.

[Go Bubba Go]

Extra batteries for the scales (or extension cords if you are being given access to wall outlets - don't assume you will be)

Second Mr. Slick's comment on CLOTH tarp or perhaps old (but not shedding) beach towel. You want to catch the graphite / sawdust and not have it go flying when the first kid with a sneeze shows up.

First Aid Kit (should always be present, don't assume someone else will bring one).

[Gameday]

I would also add a small wood clamp to the list after seeing some pics of damaged cars.

[PWD]

We setup the track Tuesday night and ran the pit area for a couple of hours. Our real race is Saturday. This is the best thing we have ever done. We resolved many, many weight problems, axles problems.

Saturday pit and race should now run a lot smoother.

Thanks for all the suggestions for materials for the pit.

[Stan Pope]

We setup the track Tuesday night and ran the pit area for a couple of hours. Our real race is Saturday. This is the best thing we have ever done. We resolved many, many weight problems, axles problems.

Great idea! "The pit is not just for during the races!"

Did you discover any other equipment needs during that prerace trial run?

[PWD]

Not really. It went very smoothly. One person needed some extra axles. Otherwise it was mostly adding weights. A couple making lighter but that was more the exception. I did find out no graphite in or outside the school.

[derbykid71]

If you ever get another chance to run the pit or just want to share ideas with the person who is running the pit you might be able to use donated or borowed equipment as an inexpesive way for the products you need.