Cubmobile hints

Discussions related to building cubmobiles.
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TurtlePowered
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Cubmobile hints

Post by TurtlePowered »

Does anyone know where there might be some tips on building cubmobiles?
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Darin McGrew
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by Darin McGrew »

TurtlePowered wrote:Does anyone know where there might be some tips on building cubmobiles?
I'd have to say that the number one tip is to use a wide wheelbase. When my friends and I built these (on our own, not part of scouting) and raced them down a hill just outside of town, we discovered that the hard way.
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KLenort
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by KLenort »

Don't use lag bolts to mount the wheels. They just won't hold up in a 2x4 for very long, if a scouts steps on the car near the wheel it splits. I would recmd a full length axle or the longest lag bolts you can find.

As far as safety goes, ensure the steering is very limited. They scout take a couple runs to get used to steering with a rope. The fastest way down the hill is a straight line anyway.
clemsontigerfanatic
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by clemsontigerfanatic »

I know from watching our race last year that overstreeing was the biggest problem.
Just like in pinewood derby heavier is faster.
They told everybody to use allthread underneath the 2x4 to hold the wheels.
UNLIKE pinewood derby DO NOT USE GRAPITE to lube. USE WD 40
The lubericants are oppposite I dont know why.
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by clemsontigerfanatic »

You will also want to get the Comtech 2000 wheels as posted under GREAT WHEELS in a differnt place. I just ordered 4 for about $5ea plus shipping.
I have not tried them yet but they are the closest wheels I have seen to our soap box derby cars. Thinner is better.
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by clemsontigerfanatic »

One more thing

Just remembered from the soap box derby my kids were in.
One lane will be faster than another. Switching lanes should be part
of the setup.

In our soap box derby these the times between 2 racers on a very long track are extremly close. This is because the cars are exactly the same
and the weights are right at 200 lbs each. It comes down to luck and skill of the driver.

Unlike the soap box derby, in the cubmobile can't add weight so a bigger driver will have an advantage.
Also using a starting ramp with a lever will be fairer than the pushers.
In the race my boy is in stronger pushers give a notiecable advantage.
ExtremePWD
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by ExtremePWD »

In case you haven't seen it, Porsche had a pretty interesting design. Check it out at http://www.schwab-kolb.com/porpr62.htm . It ended up being the winner that year by about a full car length. This year, Volvo had a pretty interesting entry also. It can be found at http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2004-V ... ty-Car.htm . Autoweek has some more information at http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101028 .
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Re: Cubmobile hints

Post by clemsontigerfanatic »

Cool cars!
I previously posted NOT to use graphite on a Cub Mobile.
The reason for not using graphite is that it tends to gum up around the ball bearings.

I was told this by a 30 yr Soap Box Derby Guru.
It is used at some soap box derby races but anything this guy tells me you can count on it. He is or was a Boy Scout Leader.
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