5 Design Tips for a Pinewood Derby Car

Are you planning to design a Pinewood Derby car? If so, then one of the main decisions you'll need to make is regarding the car's design. While there are tons of designs to choose from, some of them are simply better than others are. Here are some of the best tips for choosing your Pinewood Derby car's design.

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1. Choose the Most Creative or Fastest Car award

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While it's possible to win both awards, it's advisable that you focus on one or the other. The Most Creative car won't necessarily be a speed demon, while the Fastest Car probably wouldn't win a beauty pageant. Basically, winning either of these awards requires taking a different approach. So before choosing a design for your car, determine whether you want your car to be a particularly fast or attractive. After making that decision, choosing a particular design will be much easier.

2. Add weight to add momentum

Typically, the weight limit for Pinewood Derby cars is five ounces. The key is for your car to be as close as possible to that weight, without exceeding it. By adding weight to your car, you'll consequently add more momentum. Ultimately, that will increase the speed of your car. You can buy weights for the car, at a local hobby shop. It's advisable to place the weights in the back half of the car, in order to maximize the car's speed.

3. Focus on the wheels and axles

When choosing a design for your Pinewood Derby car, the axles and wheels are some of the most crucial components. In particular, it's important that you sand, polish, and lubricate the wheels and axles effectively. This will reduce the amount of friction that the axles and wheels experience-which will in turn increase the speed of your car. As a word of caution, always verify that the adjustments you make to the wheels and axles adhere to the Pinewood Derby rules.

4. Create track bumpers by adding brad nails

Add these nails underneath the body of the car, on the sides. The function of these nails is to contact the track's center rail before the wheels do. This will reduce the amount of friction on the wheels, which will make the car faster. You can also add a smooth bead onto the bead nail. This will further reduce the car's friction.

5. Use caution when making design modifications

When modifying your Pinewood Derby car's design, you have several options. Before choosing various modifications, verify that they adhere to the official Pinewood Derby rules. Also, it's advisable not to make complex modifications unless the Cub Scout's parent has enough expertise. Which modifications are possible? One option is to make the wheels thinner, which will reduce the amount of friction that they cause. Another option is to grind the wheels. This involves grinding down the wheel's outer side. The result is that the wheel and axel will be more efficient.

While there's no magical formula for building an attractive or speedy Pinewood Derby car, the above tips will help to make the process as effective as possible.

5 Design Tips for a Pinewood Derby Car

Steve Robbins who is a Master Pinewood Derby car builder and the owner of http://www.DerbyMonkeyGarage.com which carries an extensive selection of fast pinewood derby cars, kits, designs and derby car templates. The company has two retail locations - one in Tyler, Texas and the other in Kentucky. The experts at Derby Monkey Garage are available to answer questions at 888-286-8920.

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