How to Build Pinewood Derby Cars

Build a quick little race car.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hobby Paintbrushes
• PineCar Buyer's Guides
• Enamel Paints
• Wood Primers
• Wood Sealer
• Pencils
• Notebook Papers
• Pencils
• Postage Scales
• Tracing Paper
• Assorted Lead Weights
• Clear Racing Canopies
• Decals
• Carpenter's Glue
• Coping Saws
• Drill Bits
• Graphite
• Pine Blocks Or Wedge
• Putty
• Rulers
• Sanding Blocks
• Sandpaper
• Variable-speed Drills
• Wood Files
• Wood Filler
• Drill Bits
• Sandpaper
• Wood Filler
• Pencils
• clean, soft rags

1. Check the wheels - they should be perfectly round. Put a wheel on an axle and spin it. You can't fix wiggly wheels. Replace them now if they aren't perfect.

2. Check the wheels and axles for burrs. Remove them with nail clippers or fine sandpaper.

3. Make sure the wood block doesn't rock when placed on a flat surface. All of the sides should be 90 degrees. If they aren't, sand the uneven sides down.

4. Mark the locations of the axles. Be sure that you'll have at least a 3/8-inch clearance under the car when the wheels are put on.

5. Sketch a full-scale plan on tracing paper.

6. Transfer the design onto the block of wood. Make sure you do both sides and that the front of the car is on the same end on both sides.

7. Use a coping saw to cut just outside of the marks you made. You can sand the extra off later.

8. Drill the axle holes. Make sure they're square with the body. If it's too hard to drill a hole, you can make a groove instead and fill it later with putty. Set the axles in the holes or grooves to make sure they fit well.

9. Weigh your car and all of its parts at the same time. Add lead weights to the scale until you're close to the weight limit. Remember that you'll be adding putty and paint, which will make the car a little heavier.

10. Drill holes in the bottom of the car for the lead weights. Glue them into the holes.

11. Sand the body until it's the right shape. Make the corners smooth.

12. Use putty on the holes where you put the weights and on any other places you might need it - gouges and so forth.

13. Apply a wood primer and let it dry.

14. Paint the car and let it dry.

15. Apply decals now if you're using them.

16. Put a coat of wood sealer on the entire car.

17. Put a wheel on one axle. Spread graphite on the axle. Turn and push the axle through the axle hole. Do this several times to spread the graphite around inside.

18. Put the remaining wheel on.

19. Repeat Steps 17 and 18 with the other wheels and axle. Make sure all of the wheels spin freely.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with the Boy Scouts of America for current specifications. There are weight and dimension restrictions on Pinewood Derby cars.
• Collect all of your supplies and tools before you start.

on 8/8/2006 The starting post leans down as it is dropped. If the front of the car is cut back underneath, and is further out on top, it will be ahead of cars cut with the bottom longest.

on 11/22/2005 Raise one front wheel just slightly off the track. This prevents the two front wheels trying to steer different directions.

on 11/22/2005 While the paint is still wet, impregnate the area around the hub-to-body contact with graphite. If you have a matte finished car, paint around the hub-to-body contact with finger nail polish and impregnate with graphite. Allow plenty of time for drying.

on 11/22/2005 Drill holes over the back axle and fill in the hole with weights and you will have a much faster car.