Search found 4817 matches

by gpraceman
Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:18 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Overweight Cars and rounding of displayed weight
Replies: 80
Views: 87982

Re: Overweight Cars and rounding of displayed weight

I know that that 5.0 is an absolute amount, but quite frankly nobody has a scale that is absolutely accurate to 5 ounces. Instead, we have scales that are reasonably accurate. Our business has three postal scale. All are supposed to have the same accuracy. But they are always a little differnet (ab...
by gpraceman
Fri Jan 30, 2004 2:38 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Overweight Cars and rounding of displayed weight
Replies: 80
Views: 87982

Re: Overweight Cars and rounding of displayed weight

Every measuring device has a measurement error of +/- something, so you have to go by the scale that you have or you buy one that is more accurate. If it goes out to two decimal places, you can still have a car that is 5.0049 ounces pass. That is not as bad of an impact as 5.049 ounces, but it is st...
by gpraceman
Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:22 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Piantedosi Oars Track Review
Replies: 15
Views: 25250

Re: Piantedosi Oars Track Review

Klenort, I believe that Gary Piantedosi would be best qualified to answer that. I would get on the Piantedosi web site and find his e-mail address and send the question to him (post the answer here for others though). Also, ask him when my track will ship! Da (trackless) Graphite Kid So, have you g...
by gpraceman
Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:14 am
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: World's Cheapest Pinewood Derby Track!
Replies: 9
Views: 44257

Re: World's Cheapest Pinewood Derby Track!

Thanks for the photos of your track. It is amazing that you could build this all for so little money.

Some of your photos are rather large and blow up the page. Can you shrink them down for better viewing?
by gpraceman
Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:22 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Plexiglass Track
Replies: 4
Views: 10702

Re: Plexiglass Track

I know this is probably old news... Are there any pictures of the transition for this track? Details of construction? Details of materials like the lane guides? Looks interesting. Thanks. From their finish line photo it looks like they have small aluminum plates to connect the sections. The lane gu...
by gpraceman
Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:03 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Upgrading existing track - best system? justification?
Replies: 11
Views: 14243

Re: Upgrading existing track - best system? justification?

Keep in mind that an automatic starting gate that opens quickly is a prerequisite for a timing system, and is beneficial even without the timing system. I differ on the "automatic" part. I think a start gate that will spring load open upon the manual release of some catch mechanism would ...
by gpraceman
Mon Jan 26, 2004 10:48 am
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: The "Thrill" of the Race
Replies: 53
Views: 78391

Re: The "Thrill" of the Race

Stan Pope wrote:See thread at http://derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=192
Still to me, it is a very unlikey scenario.
by gpraceman
Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:51 pm
Forum: Software
Topic: Actual "Running the Race"
Replies: 3
Views: 9181

Re: Actual "Running the Race"

Software: Grand Prix I would like to know the specifics of how others run a derby using this software and a Perfect-N chart. :tellme: 1)How do you get scouts to know and show up at start gate when it is their turn ? Do you distribute score sheets ? I am worried about wasted time trying to gather th...
by gpraceman
Sun Jan 25, 2004 8:02 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Awana Wheel Mold Numbers
Replies: 7
Views: 10120

Re: Awana Wheel Mold Numbers

I have found that Awana mold# 14 has a bore diameter that is too small. I have trouble putting in the screw for the Pro-Mandrel in them without literally screwing it into the wheel. I did notice that there were some wheels that had no numbers on them at all. As we prep our wheels for next weekend's ...
by gpraceman
Thu Jan 22, 2004 2:31 am
Forum: Light Trees
Topic: Looking for Starting Tree plans/ideas.
Replies: 7
Views: 16345

Re: Looking for Starting Tree plans/ideas.

am in search of any ideas or actual plans for building the "tree" portion of the starting tree. I already have all of the electronics and electrical knowledge to complete the hard part. I have been looking for different ways to build the tree, such as what types of materials to use. (ie. ...
by gpraceman
Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:36 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Armor All on outer Wheel Surface?
Replies: 6
Views: 9348

Re: Armor All on outer Wheel Surface?

Thought I'd mention that I've read somewhere on this site that Stan indicated that you don't want the wheel tread too slick because then the wheel would tend to slide instead of roll. A slick tread may cause the tires to slide sideways. You want some traction so the car wil stear straight while red...
by gpraceman
Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:53 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Where to get engraving done?
Replies: 10
Views: 15737

Re: Where to get engraving done?

Check you local "trophy stores". They do a lot of that, and, around here at least, the plates are much, much more reasonable. I was also thinking about just getting an engraver and trying it myself. The engraver I saw at Sears had a lettering template that comes with it. Though, I don't k...
by gpraceman
Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:21 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Where to get engraving done?
Replies: 10
Views: 15737

Where to get engraving done?

Does anyone know of a good place to get some small brass plates engraved for tropies and plaques? I went to Things remembered, in our local mall, and was shocked that they wanted $19.99 for the brass plate and $3 per word :shock: There has got to be a less expensive alternative. I'm trying to get so...
by gpraceman
Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:08 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Wheel weight
Replies: 18
Views: 21882

Re: Wheel weight

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I need to give the weighted wheel concept more thought. Another question, off topic, but here goes: under what track type "conditions" would suspension type cars (ie Grandpa type 2) be advantageous? Perhaps more directly, what is the down side to susp...
by gpraceman
Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:20 am
Forum: Scheduling Methods
Topic: Best method for 3 lanes, no timers?
Replies: 13
Views: 19427

Re: Best method for 3 lanes, no timers?

A timing system doesn't have to be an expensive purchase. If someone can do a some soldering and some carpentry, you can build a system for $50 or less. Intriguing. I have an electrical engineering background, and a soldering gun (a dangerous combination). I also enjoy carpentry, and have an adequa...