Another year, another Pinewood derby

[LCHIEN]

Son-IL says he's too busy, help my grandsons... I got 6 days notice to weigh in That's six days for planning, cutting, painting. finishing, tuning, and weight adjustment. For two boys.

First grandson says he needs a tank. He drew the outline and I bandsawed it. And yes the middle wheels are for effect, they are elevated a hair so they don't contact the ground and turn.

As it is .with two 3/8" oz fishing weights in the bottom it weighs 4.970 Oz. I have to admit I designed the turret. Forgot to drill a hole in the end of the barrel. Told my daughter to paint one. I had extra wheels left over from my son's days in scouting.






DIL in charge of painting. I hope she has some olive drab.

Second car to come, what he wants is a real challenge.

[LCHIEN]

No. 2 Grandson wanted a tiger. Whew!

It's gonna look a lot better when painted.
Technically I removed a lot of wood. It took five 3/8 oz fishing weights and a pair of #9 x 1" screws to bring it close to the 5 Oz. max.

Idea from internet


What we cut - he particularly said it needed a spoiler feature I never saw a tiger with a spoiler.

[leehljp]

Someone is very proud of a car!

[cwsmith]

Thanks Loring,

Cute! (both the cars and certainly the Grandson)

Your post brought a happy smile, and an appreciation for creative skills,


CWS

[LCHIEN]

Well, completed the cars tonight.
I thought I got the weight on Saturday within about 4.95 Oz But two surprises:

The paint added a whole lot more weight than I thought and had to remove installed weights and readjust all over again.
I should have had them mask off the axle holes I carefully and accurately drilled using a #43 bit on the drill press... the 8 most accurate and well placed holes I drilled all year.
Well, the paint completely covered them up and where I could still see a dimple the slip fit not longer worked. I had to redo the axle drilling after reweighting. And If you know, its easier to drill the axle holes before cutting away all the square body parts.

But, I do think my Daughter (did the tiger face) and grandsons (did the tank and decals and the tiger stripes) did a great job.

Anyway...

[LCHIEN]

I used my mounted old drill (I use it for winding fishing reels). And a speed control. To polish the axles.
I used triangle file to remove the burrs under the head without scratching up the shank,
and 150, 600 and some paper I got scrap when polishing optical fiber ends - probably 2000 grit.



Polished axle under microscope



I thought this was clever. Can you find the hidden message? "Elliot"

[leehljp]

Hidden Message: "Elliot!"

[Quote) And If you know, its easier to drill the axle holes before cutting away all the square body parts.[/Quote]

"The voice of experience" . . . and I am partially deaf too.

You have some great looking grandsons! Hope they win!

[BadeMillsap]

I remember those days when I was a Cub Scout and my dad helped me and then when my son was a Cub and I helped him. Best possible use of time there is!