Well I am helping my grandson build his pine wood derby for the Cub Scouts.
My question is where is the best place for the weights. Some say over the
rear wheels so it can push. Others say over the front wheels so the weight
can help pull the car. I thought in the center of the car so there will be
even pressure or friction on all wheels.
I am a little disappointed with his new pack. For the last three years he
designed and made the cars using my hand tools, bit and brace, coping saw,
wood rasp and sanding blocks. The other evening one father brought his
portable band saw to cut out patterns made by the kids. My grandson still
elected to cut out his car using my tools. Some of his cars were a peanut
shaped car and last year a dauphin, he used some small biscuits for the
fins. This year he is making a car to resemble a stick of TNT.After he
rounded over the car he used my forester bits to cut into the front and back
where he will make a fuse.
The dauphin peanut car won first place in his group and there the weights
were centered. I think last year's car is still running down the track.
I thought about taking a block of wood and cutting two dado slots that he
could use for wheel alignment.The slots could hold the wheels straight until
he hammers in the nail axles.
Lenny, Please visit my home page http://www.geocities.com/lenny_mchugh/
It's motivating, humorous and has a lot of resources.
