How do you win a pinewood derby race?
10 Tips and Tricks to a Fast and Cool-Looking Pinewood Derby Car
- Bake your block.
- Max out your weight at the regulation 5 ounces.
- Use all of the graphite (dry lubricant is usually allowed).
- Sand and polish your wheels and axles.
- Check alignment.
- Spend time on sanding.
- Use a high-quality paint.
- Add decals!
How do you balance a pinewood derby car?
Take a ruler, attach it to some sort of base so that it can rest on the edge side up. Mark the range of 1⁄2″-1″ in front of the rear axle of your completed car, then start the balancing game. Add Pinewood Derby Car Weight to the front two pockets until you can get your car to balance on its own within that range.
Does weight matter pinewood derby?
This means that mass of the car does not matter. It also says the car’s final speed only depends on the starting height. Of course, the total time does depend on the shape of the track – but this is a little more complicated (see brachistochrone problem).
What makes a fast car fast?
The motive force for a car is the engine. Every engine produces an amount of work-energy measured in mechanical horsepower. One horsepower is 550 foot-pounds per second. More power in generation from the engine means more power available to turn the wheels faster on the car.
What pinewood derby car design is fastest?
The BLACK PRO Car
The BLACK PRO Car is a completely built fastest pinewood derby car that pushes the Speed Limits!
Should I bake my pinewood derby block?
Should I bake the pinewood derby block? The short answer is no, do not bake the block. The idea behind baking the block is to remove moisture which will make the block lighter. Baking might remove more moisture but the block will quickly re-absorb the moisture after it is out of the oven and cooled down.
How much weight does paint add to pinewood derby car?
Paint only adds a few grams (hundredths of a ounce). We generally weight up to 4.9 oz and then do the last weight adjustment at check-in.
Do heavier pinewood derby cars go faster?
Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.
How do you reduce friction in a pinewood derby car?
The easiest way to reduce friction is to lubricate the surfaces that cause friction. Lubrication is an essential part of pinewood derby racing. Purchase a tube of dry PRO Graphite with moly and shoot it onto the axle shaft and inside the wheel bore. Spin the wheel so the graphite works in.
Which is the best way to reduce friction?
Examples including polishing of wooden surfaces, tiles, marbles, etc. Sandpaper: It is also a type of grinding, used for fine adjustments. Chemical etching: Harsh chemical treatments are done to reduce irregularities on surfaces. 2. Application of lubricants Lubricants are substances applied onto surfaces to reduce friction.
Can a pinewood derby wheel be sanded?
Imperfections in your Pinewood Derby Wheels cause friction in many areas. Sanding your wheels, however, can be tricky. If the wheels are not precision sanded, you can actually make matters worse. Turning your wheels on a lathe are the best way to remove imperfections and get a uniform, balanced and finely tuned pinewood derby wheel.
What kind of oil to use in Pinewood Derby?
Nyoil is a highly refined thin-film oil. Apply only one or two drops to your axles. Nyoil will reduce friction throughout your race because it stays on your axles long after graphite has dropped off in the later heats. See more details on this new lube idea in Graphite and Lubes.