Search found 360 matches

by dna1990
Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:12 pm
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Pinewood Derby at the Boy Scout level?
Replies: 16
Views: 27689

Re: Pinewood Derby at the Boy Scout level?

Soapbox Derby in your area...? aasbd.org
by dna1990
Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:14 pm
Forum: Construction Workshops
Topic: Foot pedal for scrollsaw?
Replies: 5
Views: 13941

Re: Foot pedal for scrollsaw?

While it may vary based on saw, blade, material, feed rate, etc - cutting power in the middle of an operation can cause the blade to grab differently, often 'pulling' the workpiece up with it and then chattering on the surface until fully stopped or pulled away. On other tools as well, esp if they '...
by dna1990
Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:46 pm
Forum: General Off Topic
Topic: Trail's End is a Cruddy Product
Replies: 23
Views: 38865

Re: Trail's End is a Cruddy Product

Not sure why I weigh in, others have much more articulated thoughts, mine mostly a rant. I am in the camp that say popcorn is overpriced and is only sold to those who are offering mostly a gratuity or charity to the seller. And I am fine with the sentiment. But why not have a simple cash-donation op...
by dna1990
Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:49 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Unusual Format for Districts??
Replies: 5
Views: 7040

Re: Unusual Format for Districts??

No, I would bet big he simply meant racing based on 'times'. Especially if he didn't elaborate. It is just a phrase, to say you are racing against yourself or the clock. And in such a format, who is in the other lane(s) at the time is not relevant and makes a larger event easier to schedule. True, t...
by dna1990
Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:28 pm
Forum: Software
Topic: GPRM Late Comer
Replies: 1
Views: 5466

GPRM Late Comer

A last minute change of plans to how we have used GPRM for years, but since my part of the country loses their mind when temps PLUNGE to 31 degrees, we are trying to make allowances for racers who may not make the check-in deadline. I 'think' we are still on GPRM v10. So we have the usual GROUPS for...
by dna1990
Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:36 pm
Forum: General Coordinator Topics
Topic: Interest
Replies: 12
Views: 21137

Re: Interest

I am only a middle-aged old man, but admittedly an old man nonetheless. And yes, games are a valuable tool in many ways, and lots of games today are indeed very good for creativity and strategy. But yes, the video point that caught my eye was the row full of scouts engaged in a video game versus the...
by dna1990
Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:28 am
Forum: General Coordinator Topics
Topic: Interest
Replies: 12
Views: 21137

Interest

This is a well put-together video and shows a pack spending some time together. Great.

But skip to 1:30 in the video....as a whole (not just this pack or this one section of boys), but as a whole we are missing something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7shvusCRJro" target="_blank
by dna1990
Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:42 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Looking to run a community Pinewood Derby race
Replies: 18
Views: 33007

Re: Looking to run a community Pinewood Derby race

I assume some of the major goals are: a fun event, an event that appeals to a wider audience, something without many barriers to entry, and another excuse to build something with a kid... I would aim for a simple, open, and fun event. At least the first time. Meaning provide a venue and track. Keep ...
by dna1990
Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:17 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: PWD Car Displays for under $25
Replies: 7
Views: 9746

Re: PWD Car Displays for under $25

Cool Idea. Now what are the pipes and valves for in the background...?
by dna1990
Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:56 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Grounding of Track
Replies: 3
Views: 11596

Re: Grounding of Track

If serial linked, very likely one of those leads is also a ground. I too have never heard of any issue (unless a obvious frayed wire or short in the timer or cabling). But to some degree it makes sense. Our local is always in Jan, very dry air, heater on usually. Long track out in the middle, often ...
by dna1990
Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:42 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Unlimited class in heats: how/who to advance
Replies: 13
Views: 15439

Re: Unlimited class in heats: how/who to advance

Echo what was said above. Advance the top 1 or 2 from each rank, so that every rank has a rep in the final. But also advance the next top x fastest of the whole pack regardles of rank. In case say the 2nd place Bear is way faster than the 1st place Wolf, etc.
by dna1990
Wed May 02, 2012 5:04 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Timer Problems impact fairness of District Race
Replies: 43
Views: 38019

Re: Timer Problems impact fairness of District Race

I do several apporaches like Stan describes in the week "after" the race, with many more samples points to work with - looking for lane or heat bias. Even then one has to real-world that to certain cars or places where they have low stddev. I do not think cars made from wood, running on pl...
by dna1990
Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:37 am
Forum: Light Trees
Topic: Basic Electronic Assistance Requested - Start Tree
Replies: 6
Views: 14660

Re: Basic Electronic Assistance Requested - Start Tree

I am not positive, but aren't the relays on that board have both NO (normally open) and NC (normally closed) connections? In a pinch and depending maybe on the type of light you are working with, you could keep the LOWs from the controller - they would have each relay "on", but hook up you...
by dna1990
Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:48 am
Forum: Software
Topic: Using the Exclude Racers Option if GPRM
Replies: 5
Views: 8033

Re: Using the Exclude Racers Option if GPRM

Just another vote for the Exclude option. We use it for the rare car than can't be changed to conform to the rules, but we still want it running in the event. Works perfect for that.
by dna1990
Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:04 pm
Forum: Scheduling Methods
Topic: Suggestion needed.
Replies: 6
Views: 14441

Re: Suggestion needed.

Our experience with Space Derby...don't worry about brackets - worry about getting the flippant little rockets to actually cooperate and go down the track. "Who" races "who" is a far distant goal, once they flop off the hanger a dozen times. At least 'practice' with your "tr...