Graphite is perhaps the most widely used and accepted Pinewood Derby lubricant out there. Molybdenum (Moly) is also used, both alone and more commonly, mixed with graphite. Graphite and graphite with moly are the best lubricants for your car.
How do you reduce friction on 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.
What is the best graphite for Pinewood Derby?
Pinewood Pro’s dry powdered PRO Graphite is a special blend of ultra-fine natural graphite with sub-micron molybdenum disulfide (also known as “moly”) additive to give you the best graphite blend to minimize friction and make your car the fastest it can be.
How can I make my Pinewood Derby wheels faster?
- Put all of your weight in the back. …
- Lube the car at the body/wheel friction point. …
- Spend a fair amount of time on axle prep. …
- Make sure your wheels are ready. …
- Finally, once your wheels are mounted, check their alignment.
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.
Are Bent axles legal in Pinewood Derby?
Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class. Although canted axles are allowed in both. A canted axle is straight throughout its length.
Where is the best place to put weight on a Pinewood Derby car?
Weight should be placed towards the rear of the car. You can drill the weight holes in the bottom, side or rear of the car as shown in these examples. Stay at least 1/8″ away from the axle slots.
How do you weight a derby car?
Place a pencil under and across the car one inch in front of the rear axle. This is where the car should balance. Place the flat weight on the top of the car and move it forward and back until the car balances on the pencil. This is where the flat weight should be placed under the block.What is the best shape for a Pinewood Derby car?
But aerodynamics rule the day, and the best shape is a simple wedge. Just like a spoiler on the rear of a sports car, the wedge shape allows as much air to flow over the top of the car without hinderance while keeping the car pinned to the track.
What is the maximum weight for a Pinewood Derby car?MAX OUT YOUR CAR’S WEIGHT AT 5 OZ In most races, a Pinewood Derby car’s weight is limited to 5 ounces. If your car weighs less than that, add coins or other weights.
Article first time published onDo aerodynamics matter in Pinewood Derby?
A more aerodynamic car (but very similar for other things) doesn’t give you much bang for your buck. Friction will get you. If you can reduce the coefficient of friction by just a little bit, it will make a noticeable difference. If you let your kids do most of the work, they will gain more than a win.
What does the graphite do for Pinewood Derby cars?
Powdered graphite is an excellent lubricant to reduce friction on pinewood derby axles. Why do you want to reduce friction on your axles? It’s simple physics; reduce friction to make your car faster. Stated another way, the fastest cars have the least friction.
Does graphite help Pinewood Derby car?
Graphite is perhaps the most widely used and accepted Pinewood Derby lubricant out there. Molybdenum (Moly) is also used, both alone and more commonly, mixed with graphite. Graphite and graphite with moly are the best lubricants for your car.
Can you put graphite on Pinewood Derby car?
Rub graphite on your pinewood derby car body where the wheel hub runs against it. Use a new pencil. Rub the tip of the pencil erasor in the graphite then rub in on the car around where the axle goes into the slot. … They do not work well together and will make the car slower.
Should I glue Pinewood Derby axles?
7. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels. 8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow.
Why does my Pinewood Derby car wobble?
Pinewood Derby Wheels Wobble are a very common issue. Derby wheels are made with an injection molding process. Because they are not machined from raw material, flaws such as concentricity (wobble) will cause a wheel to wobble because the bore is not aligned with the outer diameter. … No wheel mold is safe from flaws.
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.
How do you glue weights on a Pinewood Derby car?
Epoxy can be used for attaching metal accessories to the car and, since it does not shrink when dry, it works well for gluing weight into holes or pockets. It can also be used for gluing wood to wood, but I recommend yellow, white, or tacky glue for that use.
What kind of wood is used for pinewood derby cars?
Pine – Any of a variety of soft, light-colored woods used for pinewood derby kits. Ponderosa Pine – A soft western pine. Sugar Pine – A soft, western pine noted for a sweet smell. White Pine – A soft eastern pine.
How far apart should the wheels be on a pinewood derby car?
The wheel base (distance from front axle to the rear axle) may not be altered. The cut slots must be used for the axles and the wheel base distance must be 4-1/4 to 4 3/8 inches. 8.
How do you make a soap box car go faster?
Weight: Numerous formula-based calculations and real-life experiments have been done to determine if a heavier or slower soap box derby car will go faster. Consensus is that adding weight gives the car more momentum (acceleration/top speed) and cuts down on air resistance/drag.
How fast do Pinewood Derby cars go mph?
The Speed of Pinewood Derby Cars The distribution plot below shows a range of speeds from 177 mph to 229 mph, with most cars exceeding 200 mph.
What is a fast Pinewood Derby time?
Pinewood Derby Results. The average times with just weight added was 3.288 seconds. There was 0.188 seconds between the fastest and slowest car, about 23 inches. The average time was 2.994 seconds, about 44 inches faster than without graphite (0.353 seconds).
How can I make my derby car faster?
- 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!
Is Pinewood Derby only for Cub Scouts?
Pinewood derbyPetty SuperbirdOwnerBoy Scouts of AmericaCountryUnited StatesDatesAnnual
How long does Pinewood Derby last?
How long does it take to run the race? From user reports, with the RaceManager each heat should last about two minutes (or less!) per racer. See Running the Race for an explanation.
