Search found 4817 matches

by gpraceman
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:44 am
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

Do you have any information regarding how the curve is bent? There's something on the challenger track plans about a template, but it doesn't seem to be in the PDF. I'd hate to destroy the lanes attempting to bend them. :O Sorry, I posted all of the information that I have on that track. It does me...
by gpraceman
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:28 am
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

The "Challenger" looks like the clearest plan and easiest to follow, especially since it assumes the use of the betacraft track segments. I'm not quite sure how it handles curving the segments, though. I wonder how hard it would be to adapt the Challenger plans to a curve design that mimi...
by gpraceman
Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:42 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

FatSebastian wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:03 pm
gpraceman wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:47 amThere are other advantages of the "Quick Pack" track over the old design, but I thought I would address the length issue.
Your informative review can be found here.
I guess that I didn't disclose the extent of my involvement in that redesign back then.
by gpraceman
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:47 am
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

I believe the original Piantedosi Oars wooden-track sections were 8' long, as that was the dimension of the lumber, but today you'll notice that manufacturers of metal tracks cut their sections to be less than 8' to avoid oversize shipping charges. That might have had something to do with it, howev...
by gpraceman
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:15 am
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

I'm certainly not discouraging building your own, I still might at some point, but as FatSebastian said those commercial aluminum tracks hold their resale value, if you buy one you are basically just renting it for a small fee and will get most of your investment back... On the other hand having wa...
by gpraceman
Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:48 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

There are other plans at https://grandprix-race-central.com/inde ... y/6-tracks. I rather liked the Pinewood Derby SuperSite plans.
by gpraceman
Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:35 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Mulling a track build...
Replies: 35
Views: 818

Re: Mulling a track build...

An aluminum one is out of my budget... For a DYI track, this surplus offering currently on ebay from Diamond Brand Gear Outlet might be of interest to someone. A ~42' 4-lane track would require 4 bundles of six aluminum lane segments for a total (right now) of $384 (plus tax) and shipped *free*. Th...
by gpraceman
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: wheel wax
Replies: 26
Views: 10578

Re: wheel wax

My son has a race on Saturday (Awana), and I'm currently working on the wheels. I have tamiya swabs, Novus 2 (and 1), and Jigaloo. Race rules are NO graphite, so oil only. Using the Krytox 100 mix from Maximum Velocity. A no graphite rule, I like it. Seems rather rare to have a rule like that. Peop...
by gpraceman
Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:55 pm
Forum: General Topics
Topic: What happed to T Dean White's web page?
Replies: 2
Views: 154

Re: What happed to T Dean White's web page?

Pinewood Extreme has been out of business for quite a lot of years. They grew rather fast and then seemed to implode.
by gpraceman
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: French Fries anyone !
Replies: 31
Views: 1782

Re: French Fries anyone !

I like the Fries car. The salt is a nice touch.
by gpraceman
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:10 pm
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Shifting center of mass?
Replies: 8
Views: 558

Re: Shifting center of mass?

I have heard multiple stories of BBs/ball bearings and other unsecured weights breaking loose and making a mess, that is why some have the no moving weight rule... EDIT: That was an actual event. https://www.derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=2714 Too bad the news story is no longer available. Here is t...
by gpraceman
Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:17 am
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Shifting center of mass?
Replies: 8
Views: 558

Re: Shifting center of mass?

I had heard of someone trying to do that somehow with a mercury capsule, only to have the capsule break open and leak out the mercury at the finish line. A hazmat team had to be called out to do the cleanup. Maybe that is a Pinewood Derby legend, but there could be truth to that. It depends on your ...
by gpraceman
Wed Feb 14, 2024 10:56 am
Forum: Trading Post
Topic: Two lane 42' Best Track with Derby Magic ET Timer
Replies: 1
Views: 252

Re: Two lane 42' Best Track with Derby Magic ET Timer

KRC wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 12:57 pm I have pictures and will upload them as soon as I can figure out how. You can email me at kevinchovanetz@yahoo.com if you'd like them sooner.
On how to post photos here, please refer to this forum post.
https://www.derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=10
by gpraceman
Sun Feb 11, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Rule Interpretation
Replies: 13
Views: 826

Re: Rule Interpretation

Vitamin K wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:39 pm Any rule that bans a car that could be accidentally built is a bad rule, IMO.
I'll second that.

Still would like to know the background as to why someone felt that that rule was necessary.
by gpraceman
Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:16 pm
Forum: Trading Post
Topic: Pinewood Derby Track (4 lane) and Digital Timer
Replies: 1
Views: 319

Re: Pinewood Derby Track (4 lane) and Digital Timer

Seems like a pretty good deal. Piantedosi tracks are well designed wooden tracks. Hopefully, it is in good condition. The Q series timers are the newest offerings from Micro Wizard.

PS. Your photo did not post.