Search found 76 matches

by PhantomVirus
Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:22 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Filling in the 'dead' time
Replies: 1
Views: 9252

Filling in the 'dead' time

I came across this questionnaire online and we used it today - it was GREAT. The cubmaster & I MC'ed the race using the info that the cubs provided and several parents came up to me later to tell me how much fun it was to listen to us adding "color" to the races. Feel free to use / mod...
by PhantomVirus
Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:52 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Inherited this years race
Replies: 7
Views: 9999

Re: Inherited this years race

Raceday completed - thanks for all the help folks. We were able to use the manual switch vs. the laser and I bought (luckily) a new USB/Serial connector and everything worked.
by PhantomVirus
Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:26 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Chris Sutton's Spreadsheet
Replies: 0
Views: 15526

Chris Sutton's Spreadsheet

So I was emailed a copy of Chris's spreadsheet. I ordered GP 12 but may not have time to get familiar with it enough this year (I only have 10 days or so and have to squeeze work into the mix ;-) ) Has anyone used Chris's sheet before? I have a few questions on how I have it set up and how to advanc...
by PhantomVirus
Sun Jan 13, 2013 4:52 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Inherited this years race
Replies: 7
Views: 9999

Re: Inherited this years race

Is your switch mounted to a piece of aluminum angle? Ours came this way with a 1/4" hole drilled for mounting. If so, you just need to slide a 1/4" bolt into one of the channels of the track - then mount the switch to the bolt. You can view this instruction sheet here on the microwizard s...
by PhantomVirus
Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:39 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Inherited this years race
Replies: 7
Views: 9999

Re: Inherited this years race

Thanks Randy - I see why you state that the laser is a finicky beast. I ordered the latest USB/Serial adapter from your site along with the GP software. Any wyi I can get a registration code Monday (please) - I need to test and make sure I know what I am doing asap....BTW MonoPrice.COM has those lon...
by PhantomVirus
Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:22 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Inherited this years race
Replies: 7
Views: 9999

Inherited this years race

So our PwD dad just moved - bad divorce situation & he just up & left the state - and I am now left to run the race (2 weeks out). We have a Besttrack (4 lanes all aluminum) a CD of K2 Fast track Software and the K2 Laser start device. We have a Serial to USB cable with UNKNOWN drivers (Belk...
by PhantomVirus
Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:14 pm
Forum: Other Vendors
Topic: Physics and the Pinewood Derby DVD Giveaway (2013)
Replies: 10
Views: 20716

Re: Physics and the Pinewood Derby DVD Giveaway (2013)

I bought your DVD 2+ years ago when my son was a Tiger. We watched that DVD at least 25 times - my son can explain the physics to other scouts and we won 1st place in the Pack 2 years running, and 1st place in Districts in 2010. I cannot say enough about this education DVD. I even used your info to ...
by PhantomVirus
Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:15 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Getting Ready for Districts
Replies: 13
Views: 10244

Re: Getting Ready for Districts

Our cars get impounded at the end of the Pack races. We are allowed to lube them before they get put away but that's it. The PineWood Derby leader (ME this year) delivers the cars to disticts the night before so that they can get 'District' inspected and staged. Our District team inspects the cars a...
by PhantomVirus
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:20 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: First place in today's Pack race!
Replies: 7
Views: 7000

Re: First place in today's Pack race!

Congratulations! The other kids will certainly be 'gunning' for you next year! My son swept the Pack and Districts last year and ran undefeated again this year, HOWEVER, the competition was much better this year and I think some of the parents decided that they should start early and focus on speed ...
by PhantomVirus
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:10 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: How thin of a car is ok
Replies: 33
Views: 39430

Re: How thin of a car is ok

If you were to go ULTRA thin could you not embed a carbon fiber rod or 2 the length of the car? Thinking of using a small dado bit on a table say to cut a single notch the length of the car then making it ultra thin (next year's project) and epoxying the carbon fiber rod into the block..... We went ...
by PhantomVirus
Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:40 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: The Final Pack Pinewood Derby
Replies: 43
Views: 35693

Re: The Final Pack Pinewood Derby

NICE use of the Maximum Velocity Tungsten Arrow ;-) I wondered who else bought those this year (besides us!) Props to Randy for making those available! https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Id080BU6jJA/TxuXkw_NbqI/AAAAAAAADTE/uUU4nLWrZYE/w500-h375-k/401098_10150541877362350_559882349_8882398_86159013_n...
by PhantomVirus
Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:59 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Team B-Man - Pack winner. 2 for 2 - THANK YOU
Replies: 6
Views: 6860

Re: Team B-Man - Pack winner. 2 for 2 - THANK YOU

Totally agree with you on increased responsibilities as they get older. Last year ben polished the axles, filed the burrs, spray painted the car and I did pretty much everything else. This year I cut the block on the table saw, he marked the cut lines, I used the scroll saw and he did some detail wo...
by PhantomVirus
Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:19 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Team B-Man - Pack winner. 2 for 2 - THANK YOU
Replies: 6
Views: 6860

Re: Team B-Man - Pack winner. 2 for 2 - THANK YOU

Sporty - spot on - this year we went with less than 1/3 inch after sanding and the body was < .75 oz. I was so nervous that he was going to drop it (like last year) and if that happened we were done.....no carbon fiber rods as I am just not that good with a dremel/router. Got at least 2 parents with...
by PhantomVirus
Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:12 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: - FOUND - My Vintage Pinewood Derby Cars
Replies: 14
Views: 24683

Re: - FOUND - My Vintage Pinewood Derby Cars

I remember those wheels.....I also remember using lead fishing weights and none us knew anything about physics! Drill holes, glue in split shots or if you were lucky enough to have salt water lead fishing weight (triangle shaped) and away you went!

Thanks for sharing
by PhantomVirus
Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:09 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: The Final Pack Pinewood Derby
Replies: 43
Views: 35693

Re: The Final Pack Pinewood Derby

Congratulations. Interesting in that you can modify the car still after the local races. our rules dictate that the cubmaster impound the top 3 cars for Districts so 'no additional work' is done on them - which I appreciate as I would most likely ruin it if I had time to tweak it ;-)

Good luck!