Vintage Asylum Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Vintage Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

Off topic. Cub Scout Pinewood Derby engineering

Posted by Al Nico (A) on February 24, 2007 at 16:19:00

My 9 year old and I are building his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car again. The cars are 7” long and the kit comes with a wood block, 4 plastic wheels and 4 nails for axles. The track is 50 feet long, part of which is down hill. A ¼” guide strip keeps the cars in their lanes. This is posted for your interest in the engineering.

This is what we have done to the kit.

True the wood block and cut down to ½” high. Cut into a highly aerodynamic shape. Remove substantial weight from the front. Weight the back with hot lead in front of and behind the rear wheels. A good portion of the mass is centered on the rear axles and the center of gravity is low for increased stability.

Drill the axle holes on a 5 degree angle so the wheels ride on the inner edge, this reduces rolling friction. Move the wheels to the 4 corners of the car. The right front wheel is raised to not touch the track for less friction. The wheels are trued , bores polished. Balanced, and graphite coated.

The axle nails are debured, straightened, and friction reducing groves are cut in the shaft. The inside nail head is coned for less contact area against the side of the wheel bore and the nails are multistep polished to a jewelers rouge mirror finish.

Graphite-molly lube is used with the molly acting like little ball bearings.

If anyone wished we can send photos to your email.

Al

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Sonic Craft

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---