How to Prep Pinewood Derby Wheels
Building a winning Pinewood Derby car is a top priority for many Cub Scouts. A key element to a smooth running derby car is the wheels. Always check with your Cub Scout Pack to see what kind of preparation is legal--a lot of modification tips that can be found on the Internet are considered cheating and can disqualify an otherwise good Pinewood Derby car. There are some basic tips to prep your wheels that do not modify the wheels and are generally considered legal in Pinewood Derby races.
Instructions
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Use fine steel wool or sand paper to carefully sand the surface of each wheel. Gently sand the wheel's contact surface to remove any burrs left by the molding process. The rolling surface should be as smooth as possible.
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Polish the wheel's bore (the hole where the axle goes) with graphite. Use a fuzzy pipe cleaner to insert the graphite into the hole. Rub the pipe cleaner around until the graphite covers the entire inside surface.
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Check the alignment of your wheels after you install them on the car and before you glue the axles in place. Do this by rolling the car on a clean surface to make sure the car runs straight. If the car veers in any direction, adjust the axles. Once the wheels are in good alignment, glue the axles in place. Be careful not to get any glue on or near the wheels.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove any burrs from the axle nails with a metal file. Sand the axles until smooth to reduce friction.
Using a lathe to modify wheels is generally illegal in most Cub Scout Packs. Always ask before altering the contact surface beyond making it smooth. Do not cut a ridge into the wheel or angle the wheel with a lathe, as these techniques are illegal in most Cub Scout races.
