Building the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car: Speed Secrets for Crossing the Finish Line First!

By Troy Thorne

A Pinewood Derby® winning dad and Scoutmaster shows you his "ultimate car" championship techniques that will allow you to shave those last tenths of a second off your time and go home with the trophy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
• Release date: Jun 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781607650867

Troy Thorne

Pinewood Derby-winning dad Troy Thorne is a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, and spent over 10 years in the advertising field. He is an active scouting volunteer, builds furniture and canoes, and works with his son who was a national finalist in the All-Star Derby Design Contest.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

PLANNING

You don’t start creating a Pinewood Derby car by jumping right in and starting to cut away wood. You must first understand the principles of speed before you can apply them. I’ve been asked many times what the secret is to building a fast car. I always reply the same way-there is no magic one thing you can do to make your car faster. It is a combination of a lot of different things that all add up to a very fast car. Some things are more important than others-keep reading to find out more.

BUILD A CAR TOGETHER.

Spending time with your child is one of the most rewarding aspects of participating in the Pinewood Derby. Also, pay close attention to what you and your child can learn from building a car together. Though some may seem obvious, following a few simple principles will help make the Pinewood Derby a truly rewarding experience for both of you.

WORK AS A TEAM.

Find a way for your child to participate in every step of the process. The best way to accomplish this is to let him perform as many steps as possible. Teach by example whenever you can. For instance, you might show your child how to complete a step of the process on one side of the car and then allow him to do the same step on the other side of the car. If he is unable to complete the step by himself, assist him but be sure he participates as much as possible. Some steps must be performed by an adult for safety reasons. Even in these situations, try to find some way to safely involve your child in the work you do.

Whether or not he can perform a particular step, encourage your child to work closely by your side so he can see exactly what you are doing. You may want to provide something safe for him to stand on so he can be at your eye level. Ask questions, such as Do both sides look even? to help keep him focused on the task even if he isn’t physically doing the work. The more steps your child understands and participates in, the more he will feel as if he is a part of the process.

LET YOUR CHILD DECIDE THE CAR DESIGN.

Your child will feel more connected to his car if you allow him to be creative and influence its design. This book provides several patterns for all skill levels. Look through the designs with your child and decide on one together. Consider the level of woodworking experience needed before you commit to building a specific car.

LET YOUR CHILD PICK THE COLOR AND DETAIL OPTIONS.

If he wants to add detail, such as stickers or decals, encourage him to express his creativity in this area. Allow him to place them on the car. Putting your child in charge of different aspects of the project shows him that you value his judgment.

TEACH SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES AS YOU WORK.

Building a Pinewood Derby car with your child is a great way to develop woodworking, math, and science skills. Go over all of the tools and their uses with your child and help him understand how they work. When it’s time to actually build the car, remember to teach by example and to allow your child to learn at his own pace. You might show him how to hold the coping saw and then let him make the cuts on the car by imitating the position and techniques you’ve demonstrated. Always encourage your child: be quick with praise and downplay small mistakes.

MAKE IT FUN.

The Pinewood Derby is a great opportunity for you and your child to create a special bond as you work together to build the car. Give yourself enough time so you and your child don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed. Remember, building a Pinewood Derby car should be a fun experience for both of you.

SAFETY

Safety is the number one tool in your bag of tricks. Always be mindful of your fingers and body parts to avoid injuries-make sure that your fingers are not in the path of a saw blade or sanding pad. There are a few pieces of safety equipment that will help you: a dust mask, safety glasses, and ear protection.

Wear a dust mask to protect against airborne particles when you’re sanding, applying graphite, and spray painting. Form the metal strip at the top of the mask over your nose to create a tight seal.

Always wear eye protection when sanding wood and working with power tools. Wear some safety glasses or goggles to make sure no stray bits of wood or metal filings find their way into your eyes.

Power drills, band saws, and sanders can be noisy. If the noise bothers your child, you’ll want to use ear protection like earplugs or headphone-style ear muffs.

About Lead

Lead is a soft, dense metal often recommended for derby cars. However, lead is toxic and could harm your health if it gets inside your body. Do not touch your mouth or face while working with lead. Clean up your work area and tools after lead is used, and be sure to thoroughly wash your hands, skin, and clothes. Do not sand or grind lead because the dust is hard to clean up and might be inhaled. Melting hot lead is dangerous.

Safety Glasses.

Dust Mask.

Ear Protection.

WORKSPACE

If you have a workshop in the garage or basement, that is a fantastic spot to build a derby car. If not, the kitchen or picnic table is just as good. If you’re not working in a designated shop area, just make sure to cover your work surface with newspaper.

Girls compete in derbies held by church organizations such as Awana®. Brownie Girl Scout® troops also hold Powder Puff Derbies. The rules are basically the same, but the cars look different. The girls’ cars tend to be pink and purple with hearts and kittens on them.

DERBY WORKSHOP

Most Cub Scout packs have a Derby Workshop in the weeks before the Derby. It is a great idea to take advantage of this if you are interested in learning how to use cool tools-like band saws, scroll saws, power drills, and power sanders-with the help of someone