Search found 1235 matches

by Vitamin K
Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:22 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Rail Riders: Drill DFW axle hole with positive cant?
Replies: 6
Views: 5531

Rail Riders: Drill DFW axle hole with positive cant?

Just curious about how you old pros do your cars. Do you drill some positive cant for the DFW of your rail riders? Or do you just rely on the bend in the nail? If you do drill cant, how many degrees (approximately)? And do you reduce the bend in your DFW axle accordingly?
by Vitamin K
Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:58 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Going Fast
Replies: 9
Views: 8478

Re: Going Fast

I have to buy more sandpaper...I've got nothing higher than 1000 grit right now...though I am interested in how much it /really/ matters. I don't think I'll go higher than 5000 grit at any rate. Has anybody tried using oil instead of water to wet sand, btw? Interested in how well that works. That's ...
by Vitamin K
Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:16 pm
Forum: General Coordinator Topics
Topic: How to Choose Best Looking?
Replies: 15
Views: 25748

Re: How to Choose Best Looking?

I must respectfully disagree with Speedster here...I think awards for craftsmanship and/or design are a big part of the Derby. Some design for speed, and that's perfectly fine, but some people put long hours into developing works of art out of pine and paint, and that should be recognized, IMO. I do...
by Vitamin K
Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:20 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?
Replies: 21
Views: 15621

Re: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?

Managed to steal a little time in the workshop this evening (not much, but a little). Weighed my pine chassis plank and was a little surprised to see that it only weighed 0.65 ounces. I guess this "clear pine" I bought from Michael's is pretty light stuff? At that weight, do I have much to...
by Vitamin K
Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:01 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: 2014 car 1950 Studebaker Champion
Replies: 4
Views: 5629

Re: 2014 car 1950 Studebaker Champion

Very, very impressive. That's a beautiful product. I wish I had half the woodworking ability of your son. :clap:
by Vitamin K
Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:43 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Retiring from Pinewood, Photos of 12 years of racing
Replies: 20
Views: 19230

Re: Retiring from Pinewood

Wow, that's a big crowd, TXDerbyDad. You definitely have a Pinewood Legacy ahead of you! You have some really impressive cars. That's some fine work you and your kids have done. I'm hoping to be like that as well. I have six sons. The oldest is about to make Star Scout in his Troop, and the next you...
by Vitamin K
Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:05 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: 2014 Den and Pack Champion
Replies: 12
Views: 11599

Re: 2014 Den and Pack Champion

Congrats! Nice to see people winning with "just" lead. ;)
by Vitamin K
Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:20 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?
Replies: 21
Views: 15621

Re: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?

I'm starting to think you should change your name to "LawsOfPhysics", Speedster. ;) But seriously, the main reason I'm using lead is cost. I am well aware that tungsten is a denser material and that there are benefits to be had from concentrating the weight in the car to the smallest point...
by Vitamin K
Mon Jan 27, 2014 2:53 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Pack Race, Check. On to districts!
Replies: 4
Views: 6659

Re: Pack Race, Check. On to districts!

Congrats! Bring on the pics! :bigups:
by Vitamin K
Mon Jan 27, 2014 2:21 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?
Replies: 21
Views: 15621

Re: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?

Okay, first off, thanks very much for your patience and feedback, everyone. Here's what I'm thinking: Reduce the width of the wood around the rear axles to 1/4". Eliminate the strip of wood in the back, let the lead go all the way to the end. Fully inset the lead inserts into the body. Since th...
by Vitamin K
Mon Jan 27, 2014 6:11 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Dawes Family Cars for 2014... Pack Races... on to Districts
Replies: 27
Views: 26042

Re: Dawes Family Cars for 2014... Pack Races... on to Distri

Congrats! Thomas looks a tad more streamlined this year! 8)
by Vitamin K
Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:36 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?
Replies: 21
Views: 15621

Feedback on my weight addition methodologies?

Hello fellow pineheads. I'm still figuring out how I want to ballast my son's car, so I'm looking to steal opinions from you guys. The gist is that my son's car consists of a pine board ( .25" x 1.75" x 7" ) upon which a balsawood top will be attached. Weighing the various pieces indi...
by Vitamin K
Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:52 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Introducing Team Scrollsawer - 2014 (RESULTS ADDED)
Replies: 23
Views: 21112

Re: Introducing Team Scrollsawer - 2014 (RESULTS ADDED)

Out of curiosity, did your Pack hold its Pinewood Derby in an RC car racetrack?
by Vitamin K
Sat Jan 25, 2014 4:46 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Introducing Team Scrollsawer - 2014 (RESULTS ADDED)
Replies: 23
Views: 21112

Re: Introducing Team Scrollsawer - 2014 (RESULTS ADDED)

Congratulations! Those turned out wonderfully. I'm inspired, knowing I can let my kids use non-toxic acrylics and still get such a wonderful finish.
by Vitamin K
Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:42 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Setting COM when pouringf lead
Replies: 11
Views: 8300

Re: Setting COM when pouringf lead

Well, I weighed the partially finished balsawood top, the plank body, wheels and axles, and came up with about 1.75oz of weight, leaving me with 3.25 to make up in ballast. I could pour lead into a .75 x 1.25 x .5 inch block, according to the density of lead, and then my son and I can position it on...