Pinewood Derby Plans

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Building your car

Basic Design Rules

Only use the wheels and axles provided in the kit. (No. 17006)
Wheel bearings, washers and springs are prohibited.
Only dry lubricant is permitted.
Cars must be free-wheeling. (No starting device)
Accessories such as steering wheels, driver, fenders are allowed as long as the car remains within the weight and dimensions listed below.
Wheels and axles may be debured and sanded, but only as long as the original design is maintained. (No excess sanding.)
This is in no way a complete set of rules. (Some rules may vary depending upon your pack.)

Car Specifications:

Width-2 3/4"
Length-7"
Weight-5 Ounces or less
Width between wheels- 1 3/4"
Bottom clearance between car and track- 3/8"

Building Instructions

Make sure the grooves are a perfect 90 degree angle to the car body. (use a square or a piece of paper)
If the grooves are not square use two hacksaw blades side by side to redress the grooves. (Use the edge of a square as a guide to keep your cut straight.)
Tap the axles into the groves, leave1/4" out. Do this one at a time removing each with pliers until all four have been done. (It's important to do this step because it's easy to damage the grooves and better to happen now then after you've completed the car.)(See figure 2)
Draw your favorite design on the block.(You can trace the block on a piece of paper then draw your design, cut it out and use as a template. This is great because you will get your drawing even on both sides of the car.)(See figure 1)
Cut your design out using a coping saw or hack saw. Have an adult help you with any carving needed. Then finish the details using sandpaper. (Start with a heavy grit like #80 or #100 then finish it off with a finer grit like #240.)(See figure 3)
Add any weights necessary to bring the car including wheels and axles up to 5 ounces. (Its best to build the weight into the design. Drill holes and insert fishing weights.Or you can wait and use stick on weights latter.) (WARNING=Most weights are made of lead and are poisonous to humans, always wash your hands after handling lead. Keep contact with lead to a minimum.)
Seal wood with a sanding sealer then sand with a fine grain sand paper.
Apply 2 coats of fast drying paint.When paint is dry sand lightly and add a final coat of paint, let it dry thoroughly.
Add any other details now.(accessories, detailed painting)
Rub car with a rubbing compound to smooth finish.
Add a coat of auto wax and rub to a high gloss.
Add your wheels leaving 1/32" from car body. Pre lubricate with dry lubricant only! Check your car to make sure wheels turn freely and that all four tires contact the ground.(See figure 4)

TIPS: Check your wheels and axles. Most of the time the wheels will have excess pieces of plastic left over from manufacturing. Axles will have sharp pieces of steel under the head. These will slow down the car and can be taken off as long as you don't modify it in any other way.

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