What fun! I remember when my boys did the derby. I have kept some of the cars they made. I was a den mother for a couple of years. A great organization!

I want help though Jo!!!!  I need to "shine" in the category of speed.  Thanks

Welcome to Parenting....the dilemma of "doing it so they win" versus letting them learn by doing it themselves......Oh, and it's not you who will shine.....it has to be the boys :)  I think no matter what you will have some dads that make the project and take away from the boys what this is all about.....

I was a Scout Leader for Years :)

I wish I could help you here Larry.  I will look to you for derby car advice in the future.  In the interim, I am the woman in the know for anything and everything Brownies!

Kathy....Im a scout leader as well.  thanks for your encouragement.

Ginger...you're useless to me.  I just need to keep the boys focused on the cars and away from the Brownies!!!!!

Wind tunnel!  That is priceless!  My dad built one, and I built one, I don't remember what place I got, but I do remember how much I loved doing it with my Dad!  The hours we spent together on the project were truly priceless.  I literally have tears streaming down my face right now, what good memories.  I barely remember the Pack meeting when the race was held.

That being said, weight balance is just as important as weight.  Perfect front to back and side to side balance is critical so that no wheel is receiving more friction than the others. 

Next, make sure the nails holding the wheels have  spots under the head of the nail on on the nail surface.  Put the nail into a drill (pointy end in the drill) turn on the drill and hold some Emory cloth (very fine grit sandpaper) and polish the parts of the nail that the wheels make contact with.

The last thing is "alignment" axles must have no yaw / and be perfect parallel to the road surface.

Outside of a wind tunnel, I don't have much more advice!  Good luck!

Larry,

I had a son in scouts as well. And like you, I had him design it and I used the power tools. But I did purchase a Dremel tool so that he could make all the detail cuts and sand it himself. Beyond that, I would also advise helping them with attaching the wheels. Making sure the nails are straight makes all the difference in the world. Just a good tip I learned about getting the weight right...Drill a hole in the back of the car and fill it with B-Bs until you get the correct weight. This will help get very close to the correct weight without the additional drag of attached lead weights. My son finished 7th in the regional trials. Good Luck!

Rich....dude....Bette Midler...."don't you know that you are my hero!!!!!!  Thanks

Ben....I'm close...thanks...this is great...I love it. 

Thanks to both of you.

Well?? What was the outcome?  I expect a full blog report.

Hi Larry --Couldn't help but comment on the Pinewood Derby -- we call it the Dad's Derby out here because it's basically dad versus dad.  And hey, Rich, you sure know your Derby Dos and Don'ts!  God bless all the Cub Scouts and dads for keeping the tradition going (wind tunnel and all).

We were number one in the pack but only placed 10th in the District race. 

My son is only 7 so he cannot make the car himself.  I do all the work, but he is there by my side, helping me whenever he can.  He sands it and gets the color and pattern like he wants.  I explain all the techniques to him and he understand most of them. 

He has thanked me more than once  for helping him with his car.  It's great for our relationship. 

Next year he will do a little more as his experience and maturity allows. 

Larry:

Oh yes, the Pinewood derby.  This is where the Dad's get to show their son's how creative they can be.

Thanks Bill.....It's so great to have this one on one....