Pinewood Derby Secrets

By George Tompkins Brown, Jr

Pinewood Derby Secrets eBook and bonus section Raingutter Regatta Tips.

In a very simple "cut to the chase” format, this book provides step-by-step instructions with pictures and web links, the web links will connect you to web videos designed to help you understand wheel and axle preparations, car testing, and lubrication. Additionally there are vendor web links to direct you to the right supplies. You are urged to build your car within the Boy Scout fundamental principle of “Honesty” through adhering to your Pack Rules.

An engineer through repeated lab testing developed these proven methods.

I am a Mechanical Engineer and a former Scout. Over the years I have helped my twin scouts to become three-time pinewood derby champs. I am fortunate to have had input from several other Pinewood Derby winning dads whom I’ve pooled secrets from. I have built a timed test track which was crucial to filter out the real vs. perceived advantages. I then track tested these secrets to determine which of these are the best methods to use.

I do not recommend using everything that is supplied in the standard BSA kit, but with this book you will be able to build a car that will be faster on the track. Your wheels will be aligned better, your axles will be superior, your weight placement will be optimal, and lubrication and wheel treatment will be unbeatable. With a few simple tests you can make sure that your car is fast before the race. Other book authors are also vendors of derby car parts and try to push these car parts within their books, but I am not affiliated with any vendors and do not sell any derby car parts, so you will find a non-biased approach in this book. The cars that I have helped to build have all brought home medals and or trophies without exception. Some of these are featured on this book’s cover.
Go to your next Pinewood Derby armed with the proper information. Even if you chose not to apply all of the methods provided in this book you would still do much better in the race with the selections you decide to use. The derby is a fun way to learn about physics and see it in action. Have fun at the races!
Sincerely, George Tompkins Brown Jr.

• Language: English
• Publisher: George Tompkins Brown, Jr
• Release date: Aug 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301854882

George Tompkins Brown, Jr

George T. Brown was born in 1968 Toledo Ohio to parents George and Marcia Joyce, is the youngest of 4 Jeanne, Julie, and Raymond.He grew up in Toledo, and Maumee Ohio, was educated at the University of Toledo and earned an engineering degree in mechanical engineering.Served six years in the Air Force National Guard as an electrical systems specialist.Worked as a electric motor designer at G.E. and works as an engineer for a major engineering firm.Interests-Enjoys being a father and raising three children with his wife Sheri.Enjoys travel adventures, fossil/relic hunting, tropical beaches, inventing, designing, kayaking, biking, sports with his kids.He enjoys sci-fi & paranormal movies, Enjoys just about anything creative and technical.Has jointly written a patent, and built a working prototype for a climbing simulator.His published eBook "Pinewood Derby Secrets with Raingutter Regatta Tips" was sold on eBay and LULU from 2010 to 2012 where it sold with a money back gaurentee. During that time the book did not recieved any requests for refund, nor any negative feedback.

Book preview

Pinewood Derby

Secrets

By George Tompkins Brown Jr.

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2010

All rights reserved - George Tompkins Brown Jr.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedicated to the Scouts and contributing volunteers who make the Boy Scouts of America possible. You make the World a better place.

Table of Contents

Introduction

What to Buy?

Why use this nail?

Design the body and paint it.

Recent Wheel Improvements

Wheel treatment and testing

Nail Preparation

The Spin Test

Putting the Wheels and Axles on the body

Assembled Car Testing and Alignment

Before the Race

A Day Before the Race

Physics of the Derby

Track Advantages

Bonus Section: Raingutter Regatta Secrets

Raingutter Regatta Secrets Introduction

All kits are not created equally

Marine Hull Design

The tools you will need

Be Safe

The Kit parts

The Sail

Final Steps

Before the race – A well prepared captain

Introduction

In a very simple cut to the chase format, this book provides step-by-step instructions with pictures and web links, the web links will connect you to web videos designed to help you understand wheel and axle preparations, car testing, and lubrication. Additionally there are vendor web links to direct you to the right supplies. You are urged to build your car within the Boy Scout fundamental principle of Honesty through adhering to your Pack Rules.

An engineer through repeated lab testing developed these proven methods.

I am a Mechanical Engineer and a former Scout. Over the years I have helped my twin scouts to become three-time pinewood derby champs. I am fortunate to have had input from several other Pinewood Derby winning dads whom I’ve pooled secrets from. I have built a timed test track, which was crucial to filter out the real vs. perceived advantages. I then track tested these secrets to determine which of these are the best methods to use.

I do not recommend using everything that is supplied in the standard BSA kit, but with this book you will be able to build a car that will be faster on the track. Your wheels will be aligned better, your axles will be superior, your weight placement will be optimal, and lubrication and wheel treatment will be unbeatable. With a few simple tests you can make sure that your car is fast before the race. Other book authors are also vendors of derby car parts and try to push these car parts within their books, but I am not affiliated with any vendors and do not sell any derby car parts, so you will find a non-biased approach in