How do you connect wheels to Pinewood Derby car?

Answer 1

Nail the axle and wheel into the side of the slots on the Pinewood Derby block. If you are allowed by your rules to use a difference wheel base, get yourself a #44 drill bit and drill holes using a Drill Press into the sides of the block. Tap the axle and wheel into the holes you drilled.

Answer 2

People can get fancy but the basic outline (with some tips) goes something like this.

1) Put the nails in the slots and then remove them. It is common for people to cut close to the nail slots either in shaping their car or making holes for weights and for the area to chip when the nails are inserted. This can cause problems with the stability of the axles. Putting the nails in and removing them before cutting any wood presizes the holes so that this is less likely to happen. Do it first, as soon as you open the box, before you forget (trust me on that one).

2) Pick a design. You can print things off of the internet or just draw on the block of wood. Be creative - it does not have to be a car. (One of my favorites is a scout made a milk carton and put his own picture on it).

3) Use larger saws or power tools to "rough cut" down to the approximate shape you want.

4) Use carving/ whitting knives, sand paper, Dremels etc to give it the final shape.

5) Sand it smooth.

6) Wiegh the car along with the wheels and axles (nails) and figure out how much weight you are going to need to bring it up to 5 oz. You can use coins, fishing weights, washers, etc. Drill/ gouge etc holes for the weights and then glue them in place. If you drill/ dig into the bottom nothing shows - just make it flat so that nothing hangs downa nd rubs the track.

- If you do it before painting you have the option of putting the holes anywhere (i.e. on top) and using wood putty to fill in the holes.

- If glued use hot glue, not crazy glue. Hot glue holds well, can be trimmed to flat easily, but is soft enough to dig out and start over if needed (including on race day).

- Bring it close to the 5 oz limit but not quite. It is easier to add weight on race day than remove it.

- Remember to re-weigh after digging the holes. You will probably need a little more weight.

- Putting the weight toward the back makes the car go faster.

8) Paint and finish your car. You can just paint it or use decals or print art off of the internet and glue it on.

9) Put the wheels on.

- Using a power drill and strip of sand paper to sand the axles helps make them smoother/ removes burrs. Also sand the rouch parts of the middle of the wheel - where the nail goes.

- Apply some graphite powder to the nails (if allowed by the pack - it usually is - wet lubricants like WD-40 are usually not allowed. - You can get it in most hobby shops and in the lock section of hardware stores).

- Use a credit card to "gap" the wheel. You want it not to tight (pinching) and not to loose (wobbling).

10) "Tune" the wheels. - Make it so the car runs straight and does not turn. You usually can do this by using a pair of needle-nose pliers to give one axle a slight twist (usually about 1/8 turn). Usually start with one front wheel and then try others if this does not work.

- Find out what the pack says about the number of wheels touching. Some say all 4 must touch (this is not as easily done as it sounds). Some allow one to not touch. If this is the case an advanced trick is to intentionally keep one front wheel off the track (3 wheels have less friction than 4 - it also makes tuning easier).

11) Keep your scout from playing with the car. Put it away until race day. They can play with it all they want after the race.

12) Show up early on race day and register your car. That way you will have time to make adjustments if needed.

13) Bring crazy glue and small weights to the race. If you are nice and early without a crowd looking to weigh in you can usually use the official scale to weigh your car and weights to bring it close to 5 oz. Crazy glue can be used to add the weight. It is also usefull for last minute repairs should disaster strike (that along with your needle nose pliers and a sharp pocket knife).

14) Remember to have your scout do as much as possible of the work and have fun. It is supposed to be a bonding experience for you and your child - not a homework assignment for the parent.

It is a good idea to get a copy of the Pack rules (they vary by pack) and read them before starting. If on doubt ask before you build.