Pinewood Derby Build 101 Pack 551 Pinewood History

Pinewood Derby Build - 101 Pack 551

Pinewood History • First pinewood was May 15, 1953 - in Manhattan Beach, California • It was the brain child of Donald Murphy – he wanted to promote building of models etc. “I also wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition”

Our History in Pinewood • Started with Robert's Dad in 1971 and continued with Robert's Uncle in 1976 • Robert started in 2007 • Two Generations with Pack 551 • Robert and his Dad • Pinewood Derby has created a lot of fond memories for this family

Our Pinewood Derby Cars SPIDER MAN CAR

Rules • Every auto racing series has a formula like IRL, NASCAR, Formula I, etc. – Size, weight, horsepower, to mention a few – Racing has rules like passing, etc. • Pinewood has competitive rules as well – How the races are organized – Materials that are permitted -BSA (Boy Scouts of America) approved, basically from the kit. – Size (L x W x H x Ground Clearance), weight and wheel base.

Pinewood Derby Rules • Pack 551 Rules will be handed out tonight – Read them very carefully and understand what they mean • All of the rules are critical so that you get to race • If you cannot fix a rule infraction you won’t race – Weight is critical – more on that subject later • Build the car with BSA parts from the kit only (only exception if yours breaks gets lost etc. ) replacements from the Scout Store – Some designs are not permitted • Example – Fast/quick start designed cars are not permitted Start Pin

Non BSA Kits - NO • Other kits suppliers – Premade cars off the internet with BSA logo – Michael’s Craft Store in Valley Forge Plaza, etc. – Hobby Hut, I WANT YOU NOT TO BUY A PREBUILT CAR

Sources of BSA Pinewood Materials • Firestone Scouting Resource Center – 1485 Valley Forge Rd, Wayne, PA 19087 -1346 – South on Rt 202, off at Gateway shopping center north(right) on Valley Forge Road (0. 6 miles), right side just before Turnpike. – Open Mon, Fri 8: 30 am-5 pm; Tue-Thu 8: 30 am-7 pm; Sat 9: 30 am-2 pm • http: //www. scoutstuff. org/ – Enter “pinewood” in the search box – Same products as Firestone Store

Rules – Few Exceptions • The max weight for the cars (5 oz. or 141. 747 grams) • Source of weight – BSA, hobby store, basement collection, coins, etc. – Mercury not permitted • Nothing loose, no moving parts, springs, etc. • SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT • Build to a schedule – Glue and paint need to dry – Lay out schedule early – more fun • Rule - Paint must be dry – plan ahead

What Counts When Building? • Whatever you choose. Theme – rocket, racer, pencil, banana, army Looks- cool shape, great paint, unique Speed- speaks for itself Name- lots of cool names with real imagination Dragonbreath, Phantom, The Caminator, The Banana, Bulldog, Tiger, Snail Trails, etc. HAVE FUN BUILDING, RACING AND WORKING AS A TEAM (dad, mom, sister, brother, other relations neighbors. You do know someone else who has been involved with pinewood and everyone has ideas). Scouts you be the leader of your team.

Help With Ideas And The Build • BSA has a couple of books • Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets – Lots of basic build how to – Limited help with car design ideas • Pinewood Derby Designs & Patterns – Lots of car design suggestions – Tips on how finish the car (i. e. paint, decals, etc. ) • Both books have modifications not permitted by BSA rules

In The Beginning (count the pieces) Axle Missing ?

Choose A Shape And Theme =?

Get Started – Basic Plan • Select a body shape or style of vehicle – – • • • Pick a name or theme Layout on paper then trace or draw on to the block Cut out the block, shape, sand, paint and decals Weigh the body, wheels, axles, weights and accessories (5 oz or less) Wheels – deburr and polish Axles – deburr and polish Assembly the car, lubricate and break in. Test – does it run straight? Secure the axles and retest GO RACING

Safety First • Eyes, Ears and Nose Head shoulders knees and toe • Follow all the safety instructions on tools, paint, and adhesives etc.

Tools For The Build • Firestone Scout Store or Scoutstuff. org coping saw with wood handle, four blades, a multipurpose fourin-one hand file, a sanding stick with fine 240 grit sanding belt, and an extra super fine 400 grit sandpaper. • Shaping could be done carefully with a jackknife AND with parent supervision

Sleeker Is Better – Most Of The. Time • Front shape • Profile shape Start Pin

Gravity – Power for Pinewood • Gravity is pretty simple – “higher weight is better” BUT!!!! • Theory is the weight higher to rear of the car is better. Weight Center of gravity (suggested ¾ -1” ahead of rear axle • You need find the (center of gravity) – Too far back car could crash very easy. And go KABOOM!

Car Layout • Trace the out line of the block on paper – Top, side and mark the axles (two copies). Main Weights Fine tuning weight

Weights -Many Forms And Material • Round, square, putty, etc. – Material • Zinc BSA • Tungsten • Drill in, carve out a pocket, glue, screws, etc.

Cut Or Shape The Body • By hand - • By power assist And be safe.

Car Finish (Plan A) • Sand the car smooth • Apply primer or filler to the body • we used Elmer's glue diluted • Dries hard, sands well and takes paint (alternate shellac) • Paint – model paint, spray (with supervision) • Add decals, second color, name of the car, driver, cockpit, etc. • Where NOT to paint – Do not paint the area where the wheel hits the body of the car as shown below. Unpainted area- sand with 500 grit and graphite this area

Car Finish (Plan B) • No Painting – Car Wrap (eliminates the painting) comes with a cutting template – Source - BSA and Scoutstuff

Weight Check • Weight check – 5 oz (142 grams) Gee I’m getting fat. • Add weight to fine tune

Weighing and Weights (plan B) • The Kit – Weight for the car to bring it to 5 oz. • Eight stick on weights 0. 125 oz each – Weighing the car… balance scale ? • Guess what 25 quarters weigh? ? ?

Center of Gravity (Re-check) • Remember theory is the weight higher to rear of the car is better. Weight Center of gravity (suggested ¾ -1” ahead of rear axle) • You need to adjust the (center of gravity) – Remember - too far back car could crash very easily.

Wheels – Short History Without a textbook 2010

Wheels • 2009 -10 Pinewood Wheels “The great equalizer” – Many improvements over the 1999 wheels 2009 -10 • Inspect each wheel • Deburr – light polish both outer edges • Polish – cotton cloth and graphite

Wheel Preparation • Pipe cleaner and whitening toothpaste (BSA has a tool) • Polish each wheel Deburr Slight round over on each edge with 1000 grit wet sandpaper – Edge (1000 grit) – Tread (graphite) – Edge (graphite) • Soft cloth with graphite to each surface Graphite

Axles • Out of the box axles have some issues Smooth Here Remove this material Ouch! Pointy.

Axle – Smoother is Better • Sequence – file, wet sand polish • Wet sand – • 2000 • 1500 • 1000 grit • Polish – Pumice

Axle Attachment Design • Use the slots provided – Insert and secure (BSA tool) • Epoxy as shown. • Use the BSA “axle guard” • Drill axle holes using a jig. • Note you must keep the same wheelbase. • No three wheel cars…

Axle Installation and Wheel Spacing • BSA tool is available to align and space axles • Epoxy/glue to secure – Note small holes

Lubrication/Run In MAKES IT RUN MORE SMOOTHLY. • Lubrication – Acceptable (dry) – Graphite THE STUFF IN PENCILS – Teflon • Run In (three positions- level, wheel up and down) – Finger – 15 minutes per wheel – Drill/Dremel (soft wheel) – 5 minutes per wheel

Test Drive – Straight • Short ramp across a level surface. – Straighter is better • The FIX (BSA –Rail Rider) – 1. 5 and 2. 5 degrees

Final Thoughts • This is meant to be a fun family project led by the scout. • Play by the rules • You will learn – Sportsmanship – Wood working – Painting Don’t worry it’s not boring!=) – Physics – Math – Research on the internet

Pinewood Race. Tracks • Materials – – Wood – Aluminum – Plastic – center guide rail – Plastic - no center guide BVM regionals plastic with center guide. • Practice Tracks You Can Buy Or Build – BSA Plastic ? ? Some Issues – Take the money - build wood - • Off to the races: Regionals, Fun Races, etc.

ALL DONE • Thanks for your attention • GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CAR BUILD