How to Build a Pine Derby Race Track

Cub Scouts can design and implement how their Pinewood Derby cars will be shaped and painted.

Many adult men who were once Cub Scouts credit the Pinewood Derby with being one of the most memorable parts of their scouting years. The Pinewood Derby is a racing competition for Cub Scouts who have built and decorated little, wooden race cars designed to specific dimensions and weight. The racetrack also has strict guidelines for height, length, decline and track dimensions. Scout masters can choose to purchase a Pinewood Derby track, usually constructed from wood or aluminum, or choose to build their own track at a low cost.

Things You'll Need

• High quality plywood-4 feet by 8 feet by 1/2 inch
• 3 pine lattice strips-1/4 inch by 1 inch and 5/8 by 96 inches
• Pine lumber board-3/4 inch by 1 inch and 3/4 by 18 inches
• 5 pine lumber boards-3/4 inch by 4 inches by 12 inches
• Pine lumber board-3/4 inch by 4 inches by 36 inches
• 2 pine lumber boards-3/4 inch by 1 inch and 3/4 by 43 inches
• Pine lumber board-3/4 inch by 4 inches by 70 inches
• 3 dowels-1/4 inch by 3 inches and 1/2
• Handle
• 6 hinges-1 inch and 1/2 by 1 inch and 1/2
• Screw eye
• Thick rubber band
• Wood screws-1 inch and 1/2
• 2 sets of round head stove bolts and wing nuts-1/4 inch by 2 inches
• 2 sets of flat head stove bolts and wing nuts-1/4 inch by 2 inches
• Table saw
• Electric screw gun
• Drill bit 1/4 inch
• Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Permanent marker

Instructions

1. Rip the plywood on the table saw down to a 1 foot by 8 foot piece. Attach the 3 lattice strips to the top of the plywood spaced on 3 inches and 1/2 centers from the edges using the electric screw gun and wood screws.

2. Lay a piece of pine (3/4 inch by 4 inches by 12 inches) on the floor. Screw two more pieces this same length to the ends creating a three sided box. Attach a hinge to the end of each piece of lumber on the open side. This will be the lower leg unit for the track.

3. Lay two pieces of pine lumber (3/4 inch by 1 inch and 3/4 by 43 inches) on the floor. Place two pieces of pine lumber (3/4 inch by 4 inches by 12 inches), known as cleats, 18 inches in from the ends on long pieces to create a frame. Screw together with wood screws. Place the pine lumber (3/4 inch by 4 inches by 36 inches) on the end of the long pieces. Drill a hole through the intersection of each of these pieces with the 1/4 inch drill bit. Put one round head stove bolt and wingnut through each hole. Hand tighten the wing nuts. Screw a hinge onto the other end of each of the long pieces. This will be the tall leg unit.

4. Cut three 1/2 inch by 3 inch slots (one on each lattice strip) at the starting line using the jigsaw. Attach the dowels to the 3/4 inch by 1 inch and 3/4 by 18 inch lumber using screws spaced so the dowels fit through the jigsaw holes. Screw two hinges on one side of the lumber. Screw the handle into the bottom of the lumber (opposite the dowels) in the center. This will be the starting bar.

5. Flip the plywood over so the track guides are down. Attach the leg units to the plywood by screwing the hinges into the plywood. Attach the pine lumber brace (3/4 inch by 4 inches by 70 inches) to the bottom of the lower end of the plywood. Flip plywood over, and carefully swing the leg units open. Screw the other end of the 70 inch brace to the lower cleat of the tall leg unit.

6. Slide the dowels in from underneath the plywood through the jigsaw slots in the track guides. Screw the free side of the hinges on the starting bar into the bottom of the plywood on the lower side of the track. Screw in the eye screw a few inches down the length of the track from the starting bar on the bottom of the plywood. Stretch the thick rubberband around the eye screw and the handle of the starting bar.

7. Sand the whole top of the track with the sand paper. Draw a finish line at the bottom of the track with a permanent marker.

References

• Abc Pinewood Car: How to Build a Pinewood Derby Car Track
• McGrew's: Four-Lane Derby Track Plans
• Cub Scout Leader How-To Book: Pinewood Derby