Contacting Piantedosi

Commercial tracks.
User avatar
SlartyBartFast
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:30 am
Location: Montreal, Quebec

Contacting Piantedosi

Post by SlartyBartFast »

I don't have access to a phone to make long distance calls during working hours and was trying to reach Piantedosi by e-mail at: info@pinewoodderbytrack.com.

Anyone else have problems contacting them? They don't respond to my e-mails.
tmbnorm
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 253
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:42 am

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by tmbnorm »

I have had to contact Pianedosi this year several times.

Unfortunately, your best bet is to call them. I found that out early in my dealings with them.

What information are you needing? I might can help.
User avatar
SlartyBartFast
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:30 am
Location: Montreal, Quebec

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by SlartyBartFast »

tmbnorm wrote:Unfortunately, your best bet is to call them. I found that out early in my dealings with them.
That's a bit annoying. With all the email testimonials on their website you'd think they were attuned to answering e-mails...

Thanks for the offer of help, The following is what I sent them:
- If I wish to have drilling for a finish timer other than those
listed, is there an extra charge?

- What is the layout of the drilled holes and cut slots in the track
for the starting gate? I would need the standard starting gate, but am
interested installing an automatic gate of my own design.

- What annodising options are available? Close-up shots on the website
show clear annodising, while some photos show a black track. Is the
annodised surface flat/satin or polished/gloss?

- On the pricing page, There are prices given at the end of the UPS
rates table for upgrades and extra sections. These are only the
shipping charges for upgrades? What are the prices to add lanes?

Finally, Have you encountered any difficulty shipping to Canada? How
much would I expect to pay for shipping to Montreal, Quebec (I realise
additional charges will probably be due at the border such as
brokering charge, GST etc.)?

None were listed on your page "Packs With Our Tracks", but are there
cub scout packs in the Montreal area using your tracks?
Last edited by SlartyBartFast on Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
gpraceman
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4926
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Contact:

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by gpraceman »

SlartyBartFast wrote:That's a bit annoying. With all the email testimonials on theier wessite you'd think they were attuned to answering e-mails...
During the busy season they are easier to get a hold of by phone. Some people do prefer phone over email anyways, which can be a pain for those of us that prefer email to talking (like me).
- What is the layout of the drilled holes and cut slots in the track
for the starting gate? I would need the standard starting gate, but am
interested installing an automatic gate of my own design.
I can answer this one for you as I have a start section sitting next to my desk right now. The slots are a total of 3" long and 1/2" wide (which means that at each end of the slot it has a 1/2" diameter curve). There is a set of 5/8" holes uphill from each slot that are for mounting a start gate. The center of each hole is 1" from the end of the slot. Only the two outer holes are used for mounting the OEM start gate.
Last edited by gpraceman on Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
tmbnorm
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 253
Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:42 am

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by tmbnorm »

I can not help you on the drilling for the timer. I had to drill ours by hand.
The track was purchased 4 or so years ago. We added the timer this year. It was not too difficult, but I would suggest letting them do it.

The starting gate does not require any drilling. That is all done.
Even the microswitch bracket does not require any drilling.
I do not know about the non standard gate.

I can not help you with the other stuff, but I would be glad to call for you and ask them to reply to your email.
User avatar
SlartyBartFast
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:30 am
Location: Montreal, Quebec

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by SlartyBartFast »

tmbnorm wrote:I can not help you with the other stuff, but I would be glad to call for you and ask them to reply to your email.
Thank you for the very kind offer. But, I'll just try and give them a call myself.
TAL
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 300
Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 8:47 pm
Location: N.C., USA

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by TAL »

I do believe they will drill the holes for the timer where ever you want for no charge ... They have a standard hole setting for specific timers of you choice which I believe is 12" for the beam eye hole from the end of the track, but you can specify how far back you want it ...

I believe Randy covered the specs on the starting gate slots ...The track has 1 hole in each lane for the gate bolt and it also has another hole above that one on each lane and should be very simple to mount about any gate with adapter plate made of plywood or maybe an aluminum sheet because there is also another hole in each lane right below the starting pins slot to hold the leg mechnism...

Our anodized track is a silvery gloss which I find to be very easy and simple to keep clean...
The anodized track is very durable and I would'nt have it any other way...
We have had lots of compliments on the track from people who wish they had gotten the anodized or could get it anodized...

I have tryed to scratch it in hidden places and only thing I found to scratch it is a sharp knife ( who needs a sharp knife around a track??)

Far as the extra lanes ,I had the same problem and they did answer the e-mail in reference a few months ago...
Go to the pricing on the site and right below the track prices go down to the first paragraph and click on FAX ORDER EXTRA SECTIONS...

You should then see prices for extra sections and another section below that for extra lanes only...

Far as Canada I know nothing about...

Try to get at least one lane for every ten racers you expect to accompany...

Keep calling and get some one on the phone ...When you finally get someone on the phone you will find them to be very informative and freindly...

Good luck...
User avatar
gpraceman
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4926
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Contact:

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by gpraceman »

gpraceman wrote:I can answer this one for you as I have a start section sitting next to my desk right now. The slots are a total of 3" long and 1/2" wide (which means that at each end of the slot it has a 1/2" diameter curve). There is a set of 5/8" holes uphill from each slot that are for mounting a start gate. The center of each hole is 1" from the end of the slot. Only the two outer holes are used for mounting the OEM start gate.
I guess I have to correct myself. Our pack's track is as I measured above. However, our Awana track, which is one year newer, is different. It has slots that are only 2" long and are more squarish (looks like 1/8" radius at the corners). The width is still 1/2" and the gate mounting holes are centered 1" from the top of the slots.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
User avatar
SlartyBartFast
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:30 am
Location: Montreal, Quebec

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by SlartyBartFast »

Gary G. Piantedosi replied to my email.


>> If I wish to have drilling for a finish timer other than those
>> listed, is there an extra charge?
>
> No - I just need some specifics on hole sizes, etc.
>
>> - What is the layout of the drilled holes and cut slots in the track
>> for the starting gate? I would need the standard starting gate, but am
>> interested installing an automatic gate of my own design.
>
> We mill slots 2" x 1/2" in the track from 8" to 10" from the leading
> edge.
> The drilled holes to attach our starting gate are drilled in the center of
> the lane 7" from the leading edge. These holes are 5/16" in diameter.
>
>> - What annodising options are available? Close-up shots on the
>> website show clear annodising, while some photos show a black
>> track. Is the annodised surface flat/satin or polished/gloss?
>
> We only offer clear anodizing for our track. It is flat/satin - more
> specifically referred to as an architectural hardcoat. It is the same finish
> you would find on building facades, supermarket doorframes, etc.
>
>> - On the pricing page, There are prices given at the end of the
>> UPS rates table for upgrades and extra sections. These are only the
>> shipping charges for upgrades? What are the prices to add lanes?
>
> Check out this pdf found on our pricing page:
>
> http://www.pinewoodderbytrack.com/order.pdf
> http://www.pinewoodderbytrack.com/extra.pdf

> Gary
>
> Gary G. Piantedosi
> President
> Piantedosi Oars
> P.O. Box 643
> West Acton, MA 01720 USA
> Voice: 978-263-1814
> Fax: 978-263-5940
> Email: gary@pinewoodderbytrack.com
> Website: www.pinewoodderbytrack.com
User avatar
gpraceman
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4926
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Contact:

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by gpraceman »

These holes are 5/16" in diameter.
Ooops. Looks like I said these were 5/8" diameter. :oops: That would be rather big.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
Packdude
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:40 pm
Location: Apopka, FL
Contact:

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by Packdude »

I see you already got a reply regarding the anodized finish. I was going to tell you the same thing, that it is a silvery satin finish, not very dark.
User avatar
Bulldog
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 127
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:52 pm
Location: Milford, NH

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by Bulldog »

I too have yet to get a response to my email.

Does anyone know if Piantedosi offers a longer start section to their tracks for 18 wheeler racing?
User avatar
Pinewood Daddy
Pine Head Legend
Pine Head Legend
Posts: 1500
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:04 pm
Location: Wallingford, Connecticut

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by Pinewood Daddy »

Bulldog wrote:I too have yet to get a response to my email.

Does anyone know if Piantedosi offers a longer start section to their tracks for 18 wheeler racing?
Don't waste your time emailing. I tried 5 times before calling. Got through on the first try.

Since the 18 wheelers are obsolete, I doubt it. Maybe you could build an add on section. Or, he could probably just machine the starting line farther down the track.
User avatar
Bulldog
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 127
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:52 pm
Location: Milford, NH

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by Bulldog »

Pinewood Daddy wrote:
Bulldog wrote:I too have yet to get a response to my email.

Does anyone know if Piantedosi offers a longer start section to their tracks for 18 wheeler racing?
Don't waste your time emailing. I tried 5 times before calling. Got through on the first try.

Since the 18 wheelers are obsolete, I doubt it. Maybe you could build an add on section. Or, he could probably just machine the starting line farther down the track.
Yeah, The only place I can find them is betacrafts.com- about $10 each.

But we already have the track. I was just thinking of suggesting an 18 wheeler derby as a summertime activity, and seeing what it would take to put it together. I'd never seen the 18 wheelers before, and heard of them here. It sounds like fun.

I'm wondering if he can sell an add-on piece of extrusion for the start section.
User avatar
SlartyBartFast
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 272
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:30 am
Location: Montreal, Quebec

Re: Contacting Piantedosi

Post by SlartyBartFast »

Bulldog wrote:Yeah, The only place I can find them is betacrafts.com- about $10 each.
Scouts Canada still sells them.
http://www.scouts.ca/media//documents/page2627.pdf
$11.99 Canadian
Post Reply