Derby Talk

nosam116 wrote:I'm looking for comments/recommendations of patch makers for our district Pinewood Derby patch?
Thanks in advance.

You can try this: http://www.commandered.com/

They can make patches from your artwork or use their samples.

We were pleased with our past orders.

I too built the box for our 40' Piantedosi using the plans from their website. It turned out really good but I 'll keep my day job. :wink: Casters are definitely the way to go. I haven't put the extra handles on the sides yet, but plan to. I added a piece of small chain at each end of lid to keep it...

RMoose said: We are thinking about assigning numbers to each car at the time the car kits are handed out. Each kit would include a paper stating something like "your car number is ..." This would be the only number allowed on the car. It would then be the registration and identification n...

Coning the hubs is not addressed in your rules posted, only the rules regarding the thread surface. So, coning the hubs is permitted in my opinion. Maybe your judging personnel are not up to 'speed' on wheel preparation and need to make their rules more specific. So, do you ask them or keep quiet? :...

Thanks for the tip Fat Elvis.

I might try it even if for nothing else than to see molten lead poured into a styrofoam cup

PWD-Tex wrote:

Tell me more about the jig!?

I explained my gig in more detail in another forum. Here's the link: http://derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=12 ... sc&start=0

I melt truck tire weights or battery posts and make 3/8" lead "wire" with a simple jig I made. I made 40 oz. of 3/8" X 1" plugs in less than an hour the other night. The kids just plug the 3/8" holes that we or their dads drill for them. Pretty cost effective and safe s...

NEW braking section for Piantedosi tracks.

http://www.pinewoodderbytrack.com/brakes.html

This new braking looks sweet! The prior braking ramps work fine, but this new section is move in the right direction.

Not sure if they are are selling them separately to update older tracks?

2kids10horses said: I checked with our Council's DerbyMaster and asked if moving wood from the rear to the front is legal, and he said it was as long as we still used the slots. It's hard to believe what I'm reading :dontgetit: The end result will be that you're moving the slots to the rear. Why do...

Welcome to the forum 4Racers! One thing to consider is the CM (center of mass). This forum link may be of use: http://derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=1276 Personally, I have had success with 1oz. on the front wheels and 4oz. on the rear, keeping my CM about 1-1/2" in front of rear axle. I know th...

- Noisy as cars are running down I wondering with 40 or 50 kids screaming :listen: if you could still hear the cars on an aluminum track :?: I agree that aluminum is the way to go Karlene. Our previous wooden track down here in Florida was constantly needing repair and adjustments. Your only proble...

How much clearance (slop?) do you leave when inserting the axles? I've had good results using a credit card with a slot cut-out for the axle. The kids can handle the card easily and they can't push the axles in to far. After reading some of Stan's posts, I may try doubling the cards, close to 1/8&q...

I'd be interested to hear what you think of the anodized aluminum. It looks cool on their website. I would assume that it would be a "slicker" surface than the raw aluminum. Did you find any burr issues on the ends of the pieces? Hey Randy, I have only had a few test runs on this track an...

Our Awana Club ordered a 4-lane Piantedosi and we received it a couple weeks ago. Yeah it took a little longer to get than what was stated in their website. If you read the previous threads, Mr. Piantedosi explained why the orders backed up on him. While it is a good business practise to fill the or...

Hey guys Why doesn't the BSA offer better axles and not nails :?: Surely they've seen the axles offered by Awana and others that are actually axle rods, not nails. There is so much extra preparation with these nails, maybe that's why the BSA stays the course. :dontgetit: I know this is "off&quo...