There will be another build-it on Wednesday, Feb 8 from 6-7pm for those that still need to rough-cut their pinewood derby cars. Please try to arrive close to 6:00 in order to allow time to complete the work. The address is:

330 Dupont Cir
Raleigh, NC 27603

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What gets done where?

- At home prior to arriving at the workshop, open the pinewood car box. Determine what the end car should look like and sketch (first on paper and then directly on the wood block) what the cut lines need to be made. Take note of where the axle slots are and make sure the car has reasonable thickness so as not to break easily during construction or on the track. You must be able to clearly articulate what cuts need to be made and in what order to obtain the final correct output. For those new to the Pinewood derby, simple is better. The person that will cut the wood is an experienced woodworker, but is not familiar with pinewood derby cars. As an example, if you mark the block with the axle slots at the top of the car, that is how the block will be cut. I recommend that you keep the wheels and axles at home rather than bringing them to the workshop.

- At the workshop, bring your pre-marked pine block. It will be cut for you to the lines indicated by a woodworker. You can then smooth the design sand with a drum or disc sander at the shop.

- At home after the shop, to the degree of your scout’s ambition you may fine sand the car, add weights, apply paint or stain as desired and put on the wheels and axles. Weight is a critical attribute to the speed of the car and I recommend adding weights to bring the car reasonably close to the maximum of 5oz. Weights can be purchased at hobby stores in a variety of shapes. Scouts have also used coins, washers, bolts and similar items to add weight to the car.

Please contact me if you have questions.

Brian

We had a great build-it today, with about a dozen scouts participating and preparing their cars. I might be able to set a second build-it next Sunday (Feb 4) at the same shop in Raleigh if there is critical mass (6 or more scouts that could commit to a set time). If you want to participate next Sunday in Raleigh, send me an email ASAP and I’ll see what I can do. I know that Lowes hardware also has a built it session available as a backup if this the Raleigh workshop does not work out.

Thanks.

Brian

I received a few questions regarding scope of the build-it. For those new to the pinewood derby (and even for the veterans):

How long do I need to plan on being at the workshop?
- Based on previous experience, I would allow about an hour at the shop. That can be significantly shorter if the design is already sketched and you know exactly what you want to do. Design modifications in process typically add time.

What gets done where?
- At home prior to arriving at the workshop, open the pinewood car box. Determine what the end car should look like and sketch (first on paper and then directly on the wood block) what the cut lines need to be made. Take note of where the axle slots are and make sure the car has reasonable thickness so as not to break easily during construction or on the track. You must be able to clearly articulate what cuts need to be made and in what order to obtain the final correct output. For those new to the Pinewood derby, simple is better. The person that will cut the wood is an experienced woodworker, but is not familiar with pinewood derby cars. As an example, if you mark the block with the axle slots at the top of the car, that is how the block will be cut. I recommend that you keep the wheels and axles at home rather than bringing them to the workshop.

- At the workshop, bring your pre-marked pine block. It will be cut for you to the lines indicated by a woodworker. You can then smooth the design sand with a drum or disc sander at the shop.

- At home after the shop, to the degree of your scout’s ambition you may fine sand the car, add weights, apply paint or stain as desired and put on the wheels and axles. Weight is a critical attribute to the speed of the car and I recommend adding weights to bring the car reasonably close to the maximum of 5oz. Weights can be purchased at hobby stores in a variety of shapes. Scouts have also used coins, washers, bolts and similar items to add weight to the car.

Good luck,

Brian

We will have an opportunity to utilize a local shop for a Pinewood Derby Build-it this Sunday (January 29) between 1:30 and 4:00! The location is:

330 Dupont Cir
Raleigh, NC 27603

The basics are:
- If you plan to attend, please send me an email indicating that and the approximate time you would come.
- An adult MUST accompany the scout and be present while the scout is at the build-it
- Design and clearly mark the cutting lines on the pine block in advance - a professional will perform the band saw cutting this year for us
- Basic sanding equipment will also be available for smoothing the design

I hope to see you there.

Brian Flack

Start your engines! It is once again time for the annual Pack 393 Pinewood Derby! The race is at the First Baptist Church on February 25th. Key information is below:

Car Build-It Clinic: TBD - will be announced in next couple days. In addition, Lowes also has a build-it clinic on Saturday February 4th (call store for times).

Vehicle Check-In and Registration: Tuesday, February 21st - 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
Where: First Baptist Church
• Please note that ALL cars must be registered by Tuesday, February 21st, 8:30 pm to qualify for the race.
• Once cars have been registered, weighed, and certified, they will remain in the hands of race committee until the end of the competition.

Race Day : Saturday, February 25th - 9:30 am
Where: First Baptist Church

• The scouts will compete in the following groupings
o Webelos (I&II together)
o Bears
o Wolves
o Tigers
• Awards include 1st and 2nd place Speed, Craftsmanship and Originality for each grouping PLUS overall Speed for the entire Pack
• NO GRAPHITE WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING day of the race. Scouts will lubricate the cars at the time of registration.
• Each heat will be announced.
• Scouts and all other spectators must remain behind the tape. Seats will be set up to allow spectators to see the race.
• The starter will make sure the cars are on the track properly and then will start the race.
• Results will be electronically recorded at the finish line.
• 1st place winning cars in speed, Craftsmanship and Originality in each grouping will be permitted to go on to the District race March 10, 2012.
• An outlaw race for siblings and family members will be held after the scout races. The outlaw race does not have weigh/size limitations so long as the cars do not damage the track, other cars, or people.

The Official Rules

Only one car may be registered by any person in the Pinewood Derby. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications.

The following are the inspection points:
1. The wood block, wheels and nails for the car must come from the official BSA Pinewood Derby Car Kit.
2. The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final.
3. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
4. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
5. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.
6. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body.
7. The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.
8. The wheels and axles supplied with the kit must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may lightly sand the wheels to remove the molding seam on the tread. Axles may not be grooved. You may remove burrs and polish the axles. No other wheel/axle changes are allowed.
9. The original wheel slot distance in the wood must be used - you may not change the original wheelbase.
10. The axles supplied with the kit must be used. They may be polished or lubricated.
11. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.
12. The car must not ride on any type of springs.
13. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.
14. No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used.
15. The car body may have no moving parts.
16. Cars constructed for previous Pinewood Derbies are not eligible to compete.
17. Details such as the steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.
18. Only dry lubricants such as graphite or powdered teflon “white lube” will be allowed for lubricating the wheels. Lubricants may not foul the track. NO LUBRICANTS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING on the day of the race. Scouts will lubricate the cars at the time of registration.
Racing Rules:
1. If during the race the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer shall have 5 minutes to make a repair or the car is disqualified.
2. If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, loses an axle, etc., the heat will be rerun. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the contestant is disqualified and automatically loses that race. If, on the second run, another car is interfered with, the heat will be run a third time, but without the disqualified car.

Instruction to earn the Whittling Chip continues in our next meeting.
The bears will practice carving soap with an actual knife.
Please bring an appropriate pocket knife with you to the meeting for your scout to use in the meeting (an adult needs to bring the knife - not the scout).
I can also provide an extra knife to use if you let me know.
Contact me if you have questions and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

Brian

First Baptist Church
209 Church street
Morrisville, NC 27560

FYI. We are going to start earning the whittling chip this week. The Whittling Chip gives the scout permission to carry a knife. All knife use MUST be closely monitored by an adult at Scout functions and I strongly encourage you to maintain the same standard at home. This week will be knife safety with maybe a little soap carving with plastic knives. I will provide all materials for this topic - DO NOT SEND KNIVES WITH THE BOYS.

Brian