Search found 60 matches

by mebetree
Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:02 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Re: Using a maple block

The weight is a metal ball of some sort hidden in the white stuff. The roof is only about an 1/8" thick. There is no wood in the hood. It is thin lexan. The sides are about 1/8" thick. It may be hard to tell in the photo. I agree that you could achieve the same weight distribution by going...
by mebetree
Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:05 pm
Forum: General Coordinator Topics
Topic: How to keep eBay cars out of your race
Replies: 82
Views: 129833

Re: How to keep eBay cars out of your race

This year the father of the kid who placed fourth place after hearing rumors did a little searching the next day and found a web-site selling a car that looked identical to the winners car. It's a distinctive shape which required a few router cuts, has the identical weight placement (using melted me...
by mebetree
Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:29 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Looking for a photo
Replies: 4
Views: 5052

Re: Looking for a photo

I'd almost guess that a father cut the wood and then returned it.

I always flip my cars over and drill axle holes so crooked slots don't bother me.
by mebetree
Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:27 pm
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Best Track Alignment issues
Replies: 17
Views: 28542

Re: Best Track Alignment issues

I plan on taking a file to the gap edges on our track when I dig it out next year. A couple of cars with aggressive COG still had their front ends hopping at the finish line because of the bad joints.
by mebetree
Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:56 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Re: Using a maple block

the mother just said the son spent hours on the couch sanding :o Would a mother really let a kid sand wood on the couch ? :thinking: Suspicious indeed! :) I'm not the one to ask. I had a drill press sitting in the middle of our living room floor for a week as I let the kids drill out designs in the...
by mebetree
Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:55 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Re: Using a maple block

The only black-eye with PWD is the common assumption that people are cheating. I am sure some do cheat. That's life. There is nothing, that I can think of, where there is a stronger assumption about cheating than the PWD. No sports, hobby, etc. Nothing. I still think this is a root problem with PWD...
by mebetree
Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:20 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Re: Using a maple block

Image

Image

Image
by mebetree
Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:18 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Printer needed on race day?
Replies: 5
Views: 7248

Re: Printer needed on race day?

Last year we had a printer and a projector. After ten minutes they stopped looking at the paper and just stared out the screen to see who was on deck (grand prix software).
by mebetree
Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:50 am
Forum: Scheduling Methods
Topic: Throw out worst time?
Replies: 14
Views: 23389

Re: Throw out worst time?

I spent half the night last night explaining to people to not place too much stock in race wins because it was all based on time. We had 15 cars in the finals and have a four lane track (perfect N) and throw out the worst time. Turns out, I didn't need to bother the explainations because it was my k...
by mebetree
Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:47 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Quick Start Fronts (QSF) on pinewood derby cars prohibited.
Replies: 18
Views: 22985

Re: Quick Start Fronts (QSF) on pinewood derby cars prohibi

"In my mind this all boils down to one principle. Our society wants to make everyone a winner. Everyone seems to need a trophy. Winners seem to need to be brought done a notch to be "fair"." Yes and no. I worked on our pack rules this year and my main goal was to make it harder f...
by mebetree
Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:52 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Re: Using a maple block

I'd say the grain on this wood was finer and more evenly spaced than every single one in that thread. And perfectly orientated (going across the width).

I'm not sure how the parents would react to the ice pick through the car test.

I'll post a picture after the race.
by mebetree
Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:42 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Re: Using a maple block

Curiosity.
by mebetree
Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:46 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Using a maple block
Replies: 29
Views: 21404

Using a maple block

One family in our pack has shown up with ridiculously fast cars the past three years that are shaved to about an 1/8th of an inch thick over the entire body so they could maximize weight in the rear. The only thicker section is where the axles are. And these aren't wedges or wings. They are shaped l...
by mebetree
Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:46 pm
Forum: Space Derby
Topic: BSA Carriers
Replies: 1
Views: 8854

Re: BSA Carriers

I put a short sheet metal screw through each one after gluing. Problem solved.
by mebetree
Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:46 am
Forum: Raingutter Regatta
Topic: Display Stand for Boats
Replies: 2
Views: 11684

Re: Display Stand for Boats

For our last boat race I brought metal wire shelving mounted on a couple of 2x4's. A 3 or 4 foot piece held all of our boats easily.