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Pinewood Derby Kits - Many Choices for Buyers
Although the Cub Scout kit and the PineCar kit are likely the most widely distributed kits, there are a large variety of kits on the market today. In many cases, the kits are sold through the sponsoring club, but several of them are available to any group that would like to use them.
In this article, I will identify each kit, and provide details on kit preparation. The source for each of the tools and supplies mentioned can be found at the end of the article. In addition, there is an applicability chart for our specialty tools at: http://www.maximum-velocity.com/specialtytoolapp.htm
CUB SCOUT GRAND PRIX PINEWOOD DERBY® KIT
The Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-3/4W x 1-1/4H x 7L inches, offset 1/8 inch deep axle slots, with a wheelbase of 4-3/8 inches - 4 Nail Axles - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, full profile, solid sidewall, raised lettering "BSA Pinewood Derby"
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Use the axle slot closest to the end of the block as the rear axle. - Use the Pro-Body Tool to pilot drill the axle slots (or if allowed by the local rules, use the Pro-Body Tool to drill axle holes on the opposite side of the block).
Axle Tips - Remove the burrs under the nail head, and the crimp marks on the shaft with a Mini-File. Place the axle in the chuck of a drill (head outwards), and apply the file to the spinning axle. To minimize contact with the wheel hub, slightly bevel the axle head with the file. - Straighten and round the axle shaft with the Pro-Axle Press - Polish with an Axle Polishing Kit
Wheel Tips - Optionally, use the Pro-Wheel Shaver to true the wheel before polishing. - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel, polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. - Use the Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel. - Polish inside the wheel bore with Wheel Bore Polish. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
The Awana Grand Prix Kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-3/4W x 1-1/2H x 6-13/16L inches, centered 3/16 inch deep axle slots with a wheelbase of 3-13/16 inches - 4 Axles: hinge-pin type - 4 Wheels: soft plastic, full profile, see-through sidewall, 3 spokes, raised lettering "Awana Grand Prix"
Block Tips - Most Awana blocks are shorter than 7 inches. If so, replace the block. - In many Awana races, the wheelbase can be extended. If an extended wheelbase is allowed in your race, purchase an Extended Wheelbase Block, or use the Pro-Body Tool (Part #5145) to drill axle holes in your existing block. - If you are using the slots on an official Awana block, use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block.
Axle Tips - To minimize contact with the wheel hub, slightly bevel the axle head with the file. Place the axle in the chuck of a drill (head outwards), and apply the file to the spinning axle. - Polish with an Axle Polishing Kit. Skip the two coarsest papers in the kit.
Wheel Tips - If present, use a sharp knife to cut off the molding spike. - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel, polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. - Use Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel hub. - Polish inside the wheel bore with the Pro-Bore Polisher. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
The CSB Shape N Race car kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 2-1/4W x 1-1/8H x 6-15/16L inches, offset 7/32 inch deep axle slots with a wheelbase of 3-11/16 inches. The wheels inset into the block. A weight pocket is pre-milled into the bottom-middle of the block. - 5 Axles: hinge-pin type - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, full profile with a raised ridge, see-through sidewall, 4 spokes, no raised lettering
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Use the axle slot closest to the end of the block as the rear axle.
Axle Tips - To minimize contact with the wheel hub, slightly bevel the axle head with the file. Place the axle in the chuck of a drill (head outwards), and apply the file to the spinning axle. - Polish with an Axle Polishing Kit. Skip the two coarsest papers in the kit.
Wheel Tips -You can use a Pro-Wheel Mandrel to lightly polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. However, due to the raised ridge, it is quite easy to remove too much tread surface material. So polish lightly. - Use the Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel hub. - Polish inside the wheel bore with the Wheel Bore Polish. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
INDY PRODUCTS KIT
The Indy Products car kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-5/8W x 1-3/8H x 6-15/16L inches, centered 1/8W x 1/8D inch axle slots with a wheelbase of 5-1/4 inches - 2 Axles: solid rods with grooves for retaining clips - 6 Retaining clips: plastic - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, full profile, solid sidewall, no raised lettering
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block.
Axle Tips - Place the axle in the chuck of a drill and polish the area near the hub cap retention ring with an Axle Polishing Kit.
Wheel Tips - The wheels are generally quite true, but you can use a Pro-Wheel Mandrel to lightly polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. - Polish inside the wheel bore Wheel Bore Polish. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
MV BASIC CAR KIT
The MV Basic Car Kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-3/4W x 1-1/4H x 7L inches, offset 1/8 inch deep axle slots with a wheelbase of 4-3/8 inches - 5 Axles: hinge-pin type with beveled head - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, full profile, see-through sidewall, 5 spokes, no raised lettering
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Use the axle slot closest to the end of the block as the rear axle. - Use the Pro-Body Tool to pilot drill the axle slots (or if allowed by the local rules, use the Pro-Body Tool to drill axle holes on the opposite side of the block).
Axle Tips - Polish with a metal polish such as "Brasso" (hardware store) or "Mother's Chrome Polish" (auto parts store).
Wheel Tips - Optionally, use the Pro-Wheel Shaver XT to true the wheel before polishing. - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel, polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. - Use the Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel hub. - Polish inside the wheel bore with Wheel Bore Polish. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
PINECAR BASIC KIT
The PineCar Basic Car Kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-3/4W x 1-5/16H x 7L inches, offset 1/16 inch deep axle slots with a wheelbase of 4-7/16 inches - 2 Axles: Solid rods with retention grooves for hubcaps (the newer kits also include four nail axles) - 4 Plastic Hubcaps - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, full profile, see-through sidewall, 5 spokes, no raised lettering
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Use the axle slot closest to the end of the block as the rear axle. - If you cannot cut the axles (see step 1 under 'Axles'), then make sure the block is no wider than 1-11/16 inches wide. Sand the block as needed to reach this measurement.
Axle and Hub Cap Tips - If allowed by your local rules, use diagonal cutters to remove 1/4 inch from the middle of each of the axles. You will now have four independent axles, which allows the wheel gap to be properly set, and facilitates a raised front wheel. - Place the axle in the chuck of a drill and polish the area near the hub cap retention ring with an Axle Polishing Kit. - Polish the inside of the hub caps with wet, 600 grit paper.
Wheel Tips - Optionally, use the Pro-Wheel Shaver XT to true the wheel before polishing. - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel, polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. - Use the Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel hub. - Polish inside the wheel bore with the Wheel Bore Polish. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
- 1 Wood Block: 1-11/16W x 1-1/4H x 7L inches, offset 3/16 inch deep axle slots with a wheelbase of 4-3/16 inches - 4 Axles: nail-type - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, full profile, solid sidewall, raised lettering on inside "PINE-PRO"
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Use the axle slot closest to the end of the block as the rear axle. - Use the Pro-Body Tool for Awana (part #5145) to pilot drill the axle slots (or if allowed by the local rules, use the Pro-Body Tool to drill axle holes on the opposite side of the block).
Axle Tips - Remove the burrs under the nail head, and the crimp marks on the shaft with a Mini- File. Place the axle in the chuck of a drill (head outwards), and apply the file to the spinning axle. To minimize contact with the wheel hub, slightly bevel the axle head with the file. - Polish with an Axle Polishing Kit.
Wheel Tips - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel, polish the tread surface and inside edge with wet, 600 grit sandpaper. - Use the Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel hub. - Polish inside the wheel bore with the Pro-Bore Polisher. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
RA CAR KIT
The RA Car Kit consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-5/8W x 1-3/8H x 7L inches, offset 1/8 inch deep axle slots with a wheelbase of 4-3/16 inches - 4 Axles: nail-type - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, narrow symmetrical profile, solid sidewall, raised lettering "Royal Racer" on some wheels
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle slots are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Use the axle slot closest to the end of the block as the rear axle. - Use the Pro-Body Tool (part #5145) to pilot drill the axle slots (or if allowed by the local rules, use the Pro-Body Tool to drill axle holes on the opposite side of the block).
Axle Tips - Remove the burrs under the nail head, and the crimp marks on the shaft with a Mini-File. Place the axle in the chuck of a drill (head outwards), and apply the file to the spinning axle. To minimize contact with the wheel hub, slightly bevel the axle head with the file. - Straighten and round the axle shaft with Pro-Axle Press. - Polish with an Axle Polishing Kit.
Wheel Tips - Optionally, use the Pro-Wheel Shaver XT to true the wheel before polishing. - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel polish the tread surface with wet 600 grit sandpaper. Make sure to remove the seam around the middle of the tread. - Use the Pro-Hub Tool to bevel the inside wheel hub. - Polish inside the wheel bore with the Pro-Bore Polisher. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
Note that the side of the wheel with the raised lettering is mounted away from the car.
ROYAL RANGER KIT The Royal Ranger kit (same kit is also supplied by S&W crafts) consists of the following:
- 1 Wood Block: 1-3/4W x 1-5/16H x 6-15/16L inches, driver cut-out, extended-centered axle channels (3/8 semi-circular) with a wheelbase of 5 inches - 2 Dowel rod axle struts with pilot holes - 4 Axles: screw-type - 4 Wheels: hard plastic, narrow profile. Some wheels have six spokes on one side and a hemisphere on the other (the inside of the wheel), while other wheels have four spokes on both sides.
Block Tips - Use a square to verify that the axle channels are square to the block. If not, replace the block. - Many races allow the car to be 7-1/2 inches long. Since the block is only 6-15/16 inches long, extend the length by gluing on a 1/2 inch 'nose' of wood or another material. - Use the axle channel closest to the end of the block as the rear axle. - Use the Pro-Body Tool for Royal Rangers (Part #5148) to re-drill the pilot holes in the axle struts.
Axle Tips - Remove the burrs under the screw head with a Mini-File. Place the axle in the chuck of a drill (head outwards), and apply the file to the spinning axle. To minimize contact with the wheel hub, slightly bevel the screw head with the file. - Polish with an Axle Polishing Kit.
Wheel Tips - Optionally, use the Pro-Wheel Shaver XT to true the wheel before polishing. A 1/8 inch bushing is required. - Using a Pro-Wheel Mandrel polish the tread surface with wet 600 grit sandpaper. Make sure to remove the seam around the middle of the tread. - Polish inside the wheel bore with the Pro-Bore Polisher. - Lubricate with graphite or specialty oil.
A feature article is a regular part of the Pinewood Derby Times Newsletter. To subscribe to this free e-newsletter, please visit: www.maximum-velocity.com/subscribe.htm
