Good tips Mark! I always loved competing in the derby-thanks to dad, I and
my brothers always placed in the top 3, usually 1st ;-)
Several more tips that worked for us:
1. Redrilled the axle holes in the block-they aren't always straight.
2. Make the car only run on two wheels...set one front and the oposing rear
wheel axle "slighly" lower than the other two. This allows the car to run
on two wheels while using the other two for balance. Decreased resistance.
3. Don't take too many test runs-even with graphite the cars seem to slow
down.
4. Check for burs on the outside of the axle housing (for lack of a better
term) as they can bite into the wood.
Good luck!
Nathan
> Tips I've picked up over the years....
>
> Polish the "axle" shafts by chucking ends in a battery drill or lathe, use
> fine emery then 000 steel wool with a good metal polish like Wenol - just
> don't remove too much material from the nails.
>
> Depending on the rules your group uses, a shot of dry graphite lock
> lubricant into each wheel hole before assy.
>
> Use stick on tire weights to add weight right up to limit. Place weight
as
> far back on car as possible without making the front wheels want to lift -
> the further back, the higher up when placed on the ramp, the higher
> potential energy - not much, but been know to make a difference
>
> Couple of coats of spray can auto primer, sanding, and a coat of Krylon
for
> a great finish - not a neceesarily a speed tip, but a smoth paint job
should
> lower wind resistance ;-)
>
> Mark Sedlack
> OROC
> Cuyahoga Falls OH
> 66 1600 http://home.neo.rr.com/mark2000/images/datsun1600/
> 77 280Z http://home.neo.rr.com/mark2000/Myz.jpg
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "kurt weisner" <weisner@seidata.com>
> To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Monday, January 21, 2002 9:29 AM
> Subject: Speed Secrets
>
>
> > List,
> > I spent all weekend helping my boys work on their Cub Scout
> > Pinewood Derby cars. Does anyone have any speed secrets they would
> > like to share? One of my boys car is made to look like the Nissan
> > GTP/Lemans car. We decided a roadster shape was a bit beyond our
> > woodworking skills. Mine is shaped like a UPS Package Car. (Were
> > gonna race the truck)
> > Kurt Weisner
> > Seymour, Indiana
> > '61 spl 212
> > '65 Silvia
> > '65,68,69 RHD 'ladies
> >
> > /// datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net mailing list
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>
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