Search found 196 matches

by BallBoy
Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:56 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Building a 100 Foot Track
Replies: 9
Views: 18887

Re: Building a 100 Foot Track

I would use the PVC planking for the same reasons you identified. There was a 300+ foot track built near where I live a few years ago. It was built on a hill and used the terrain for the slope of the track. About 100' of the track was slope and the remainder was flat. The major problem with this tra...
by BallBoy
Fri Mar 27, 2015 1:08 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: post race advice for next year
Replies: 15
Views: 15093

Re: post race advice for next year

The kit they gave us was from maximum velocity in a ziplok bag so they bought in bulk. I found out that they gave everyone speed axles because I think there are alot of single moms in our pack and wanted to help keep things even as possible. Wheels were also from maximum velocity with mold numbers ...
by BallBoy
Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:08 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: A nose-cone for a tube of pennies?
Replies: 13
Views: 11816

Re: A nose-cone for a tube of pennies?

The tip of a party hat would be a fairly inexpensive option. Another option would be a nose cone from a model rocket. I know Estes sells replacement nose cone kits for $5-$10. You might be able to find some at a nearby hobby shop. You might even be able to find one that the pennies will fit inside s...
by BallBoy
Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:59 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Setting up my Test Track
Replies: 14
Views: 22690

Re: Setting up my Test Track

The finish line of a BestTrack has several holes for timers. It could be that you are not using the same holes as other BestTracks. I don't think that would account for 0.17 seconds, but it could be a contributing factor. I suggest using a stopwatch or stopwatch app to do an independent assessment o...
by BallBoy
Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:42 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Approx. how much time do you spend on the build of a car?
Replies: 38
Views: 47580

Re: Approx. how much time do you spend on the build of a car

I spend about 30 minutes on body prep, which includes drilling axle holes and cutting, routing, sawing, chiseling, and/or dremeling weight locations (plus marking the block for these steps). Another 30-45 minutes for wheels and axles (including lubrication). Shaping the car can take between 30 secon...
by BallBoy
Mon Jan 26, 2015 4:10 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Drill Press vs. Dremel for axle polishing?
Replies: 17
Views: 17948

Re: Drill Press vs. Dremel for axle polishing?

Is there any school of thought on which is better? Or rather the benefits / drawbacks of higher RPM? I have both a drill press and dremel tool and have used both in axle work. When working with coarser grits of sandpaper or a file you can inadvertantly reduce axle diameter in a hurry if the RPMs ar...
by BallBoy
Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:56 am
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: 1st year with software.....HELP QUICK - Race tomorrow
Replies: 8
Views: 14735

Re: 1st year with software.....HELP QUICK - Race tomorrow

The boys (and parents) have always been able to see who is in first place at the half way (each car having raced twice). We always participate in districts, so the boys start getting pumped at that point. If using GPRM one possible solution would be to set how the race is scored to only the fastest...
by BallBoy
Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:36 am
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Quick Start Front
Replies: 9
Views: 11798

Re: Quick Start Front

:offtopic: That video was mesmerizing. In addition to the intent of the video, I found the movement of the springs fascinating. I guess it doesn't take much to entertain me.
by BallBoy
Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:47 pm
Forum: Other Vendors
Topic: Reduced price on BSA Wheels and Axles?
Replies: 12
Views: 19433

Re: Reduced price on BSA Wheels and Axles?

I know that $1.99 has been the price for the tubes of wheels and axles, including colored wheels, at my local Scout Shop for the last 4+ years, if not longer.
by BallBoy
Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:31 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Need room layout advice
Replies: 9
Views: 16961

Re: Need room layout advice

...my concern is that if the cars are stored up on the stage, they're unavailable for viewing by the audience. I suggest you determine what the audience will want to be viewing during different parts of the event. I expect that during the race the audience will be more interested in what's going on...
by BallBoy
Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:30 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: tight grain or wide grain block
Replies: 22
Views: 20157

Re: tight grain or wide grain block

A block with grain close together (tight grain) will weigh more than a block with the grain farther apart. Sounds plausible, yet I was unable to affirm a definite correlation between block weight and grain density. Perhaps others have better data ? I think the phrase "will weigh more" was...
by BallBoy
Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:37 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: tight grain or wide grain block
Replies: 22
Views: 20157

Re: tight grain or wide grain block

Thanks. Not sure I've ever seen a block with the grain running vertical. I've only seen ones with grain running front to rear. Is that what you mean? I'm talking about the end grain - what you see when you look at either the front or back of the block. This post has a picture of some blocks with ve...
by BallBoy
Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:49 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: tight grain or wide grain block
Replies: 22
Views: 20157

Re: tight grain or wide grain block

A block with grain close together (tight grain) will weigh more than a block with the grain farther apart. The growth rings are harder than the wood between the rings. A block with grain farther apart (loose grain) will weigh less than a tight-grained block. It will also be much easier to drill, cut...
by BallBoy
Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:59 am
Forum: General Topics
Topic: Musing about the history of the hobby
Replies: 4
Views: 6825

Re: Musing about the history of the hobby

I suggest reading this post which has a wealth of information on the early days of the pinewood derby curated by whodathunkit.

A historywas also compiled by Joe Gargiulo at Pinewood Pro.

A few years ago Maximum Velocity put together a history of BSA kits, which can be found here.
by BallBoy
Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:14 pm
Forum: GrandPrix Software Central
Topic: Performance Tracking Software
Replies: 35
Views: 52796

Re: Performance Tracking Software

I think that perhaps the fenders could be expanded slightly. The yes/no option is good, but there may be value in differentiating between front, rear, and full fenders. Maybe a field for fender type (none, front, rear, front+rear, full) or simply a field for fender description.