LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
26K views 33 replies 10 participants last post by  Smile_n_Nod 
#1 ·
Pine car derby time

Material property Font Space Shipping box Packaging and labeling


Ok, 6 blocks; 24 wheels; 24 axles and six racers.
Check-in on November 17th; the race November 19th.

Any suggestions?

I'll keep you posted.
 

Attachments

See less See more
2
#3 ·
Pine car derby time

Material property Font Space Shipping box Packaging and labeling


Ok, 6 blocks; 24 wheels; 24 axles and six racers.
Check-in on November 17th; the race November 19th.

Any suggestions?

I'll keep you posted.
If those two boys in the picture are yours, my suggestion is turn them loose. I always bought an extra car
kit then be boys and I retired to the basement shop. I worked only on my car, I would offer advise, but
the boys built their own cars. After they were ready for paint, I would make an oval hollow in the bottom
of each car and melt and pour lead into it. Then we would go to the post office and use their scale to get
the weight right at the legal limit. The boys would apply their own finish, usually a bright metallic from a
Testor spray can. It was fun and one year the oldest boy even took first place in the county constest. We
did not go any higher. Hope you and the boys enjoy yourselves.

As ever, Gus the 71 yr young laborer, trying to become a carpenters apprentice.
 

Attachments

#4 ·
Pine car derby time

Material property Font Space Shipping box Packaging and labeling


Ok, 6 blocks; 24 wheels; 24 axles and six racers.
Check-in on November 17th; the race November 19th.

Any suggestions?

I'll keep you posted.
I'm with Gus,
share the fun, share the craft.

Jamie
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Pine car derby time

Material property Font Space Shipping box Packaging and labeling


Ok, 6 blocks; 24 wheels; 24 axles and six racers.
Check-in on November 17th; the race November 19th.

Any suggestions?

I'll keep you posted.
Alba, thanks. We will have ball.
Gus, yes, my sons will be in charge, but so will be the four daughters. And I have two daughters on the side line watching, because they are too your to have a car in the race. (they will be racing next year)
Mad, thanks for those designs, I will show them to my children.

be good, Pabull.
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Pine car derby time

Material property Font Space Shipping box Packaging and labeling


Ok, 6 blocks; 24 wheels; 24 axles and six racers.
Check-in on November 17th; the race November 19th.

Any suggestions?

I'll keep you posted.
Please explain to a Bushman in Africa, exactly how does these Pine Car Races work? Not at all familiar with it.
 

Attachments

#7 ·

Attachments

#8 ·
Oh no, the kids are on the power tools.

Yesterday I introduced my kids to the project of the Awana Grand Prix (or pine car derby). We have not participated for years, So I went digging for all the old cars I still had stored in a container on the property from them and older siblings.

Property Furniture Cabinetry Wood Window


Table Wood Food Bottle Engineering


It was to see my shooting boards being used. The blocks were not square at all.

Wood Finger T-shirt Engineering Flooring


I don't design cars, I just try to help them make their dream car.

Watch Curious Wood Safety glove Gas


Cutting out the designs on the band saw. Counting fingers before and after.

Sewing machine Tailor Dressmaker Sewing Creative arts


Even if these cars don't make it down the track we had a blast.

Smile Organ Wood Gas Happy


Wood Plant Font Tree Space


We are well on our way! Thanks for watching us.

Be good. Pabull and kids.
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Oh no, the kids are on the power tools.

Yesterday I introduced my kids to the project of the Awana Grand Prix (or pine car derby). We have not participated for years, So I went digging for all the old cars I still had stored in a container on the property from them and older siblings.

Property Furniture Cabinetry Wood Window


Table Wood Food Bottle Engineering


It was to see my shooting boards being used. The blocks were not square at all.

Wood Finger T-shirt Engineering Flooring


I don't design cars, I just try to help them make their dream car.

Watch Curious Wood Safety glove Gas


Cutting out the designs on the band saw. Counting fingers before and after.

Sewing machine Tailor Dressmaker Sewing Creative arts


Even if these cars don't make it down the track we had a blast.

Smile Organ Wood Gas Happy


Wood Plant Font Tree Space


We are well on our way! Thanks for watching us.

Be good. Pabull and kids.
cool
 

Attachments

#15 ·
Working the block of wood & wheel positioning

When we got the block of wood for the body, they were totally out of square. We took them to the
shooting board to square them up.

For an example of a shooting board, look at the widget below.



Or you can use a table saw to square up your block.

The shape of the car was completely up to the children, I like the skating board the best for the race my self, but don't tell my children this.

The next thing I was looking at was the positioning of the wheels, where to put the axles. I did not like the slots the block came with. They were not perpendicular to the block, and not in the location I wanted them.

I like the wheels as far forward as possible to give the car stability, but keep them just a little back from the front to keep the wheels from hitting the stop at the end of the track. So I put them 3/8" from the front. I like the cars as low as possible, so for this I went to the paperwork with the kit, the bottom of the car 3/8 up from the track.

Calipers Ruler Hand tool Kitchen utensil Office ruler


It as all about reducing friction. So 4 wheels on the track is good, 3 wheels might be better (raise one up by 1/16"). I will not do it this year, but I have raised cars on 2 wheels. The problem you run into is balancing the car, but also balancing the car on a slanted track. This year we will go for 3 wheels on the track.

Vision care Safety glove Engineering Science Gas


For drilling the axles, I set up the drill press with a jig with stops for left and right to keep the holes all the same and also so my children can do some of the work. The drill press is set for depth too.

Here is a progress picture of the shaping and pianting of the cars:

Wood Metal Machine Hardwood Table


The race is Friday, check in is Wednesday, so I better keep going.

Wish me the best, Pabull.
 

Attachments

#16 ·
Working the block of wood & wheel positioning

When we got the block of wood for the body, they were totally out of square. We took them to the
shooting board to square them up.

For an example of a shooting board, look at the widget below.



Or you can use a table saw to square up your block.

The shape of the car was completely up to the children, I like the skating board the best for the race my self, but don't tell my children this.

The next thing I was looking at was the positioning of the wheels, where to put the axles. I did not like the slots the block came with. They were not perpendicular to the block, and not in the location I wanted them.

I like the wheels as far forward as possible to give the car stability, but keep them just a little back from the front to keep the wheels from hitting the stop at the end of the track. So I put them 3/8" from the front. I like the cars as low as possible, so for this I went to the paperwork with the kit, the bottom of the car 3/8 up from the track.

Calipers Ruler Hand tool Kitchen utensil Office ruler


It as all about reducing friction. So 4 wheels on the track is good, 3 wheels might be better (raise one up by 1/16"). I will not do it this year, but I have raised cars on 2 wheels. The problem you run into is balancing the car, but also balancing the car on a slanted track. This year we will go for 3 wheels on the track.

Vision care Safety glove Engineering Science Gas


For drilling the axles, I set up the drill press with a jig with stops for left and right to keep the holes all the same and also so my children can do some of the work. The drill press is set for depth too.

Here is a progress picture of the shaping and pianting of the cars:

Wood Metal Machine Hardwood Table


The race is Friday, check in is Wednesday, so I better keep going.

Wish me the best, Pabull.
Wauuu, impressed, it sure looks like you have a good time there.
And some wonderful results.
Best thoughts to all of you,
Mads
 

Attachments

#21 ·
Wheels, axles and wheight

Here we are getting to an other part where the dad determines the success of the outcome of the race for your child. We need to look at the weight. It can not go over 5 oz. So I get out my postal scale and get it as close as possible.



Sorry about the tung, this kid takes after his dad.



I had to drill out some cars, others needed a lot of pennies added. (This is cutting into the grocery bill)



I could use a good October beer at this point. 24 wheels. First I would clean the riding surface, that meets the track with a utility knife. Than take the sharp corners off and polish it up with 1500 grit sand paper.



This is the setup I use to clean the axles and wheels. I use the poor man's vice on my workbench, so I can work closer to the object.



I take a small file and clean the corner of the axle and make the head a little smaller to reduce friction. Than I continue to get rid of the scratches and imperfections by using first 320 grit, 600 grit and 1500 grit. Than polish it off with a polish.





Here an update on the painting of the colorful bunch of cars. I thought you want to know.



Thanks for checking it out and all your wonderful notes.

Be well, Pb.
 

Attachments

#22 ·
Wheels, axles and wheight

Here we are getting to an other part where the dad determines the success of the outcome of the race for your child. We need to look at the weight. It can not go over 5 oz. So I get out my postal scale and get it as close as possible.

Smile Organ Wood Gas Happy


Sorry about the tung, this kid takes after his dad.

Wood Circuit component Electronic component Technology Audio equipment


I had to drill out some cars, others needed a lot of pennies added. (This is cutting into the grocery bill)

Automotive tire Wood Bottle cap Gas Auto part


I could use a good October beer at this point. 24 wheels. First I would clean the riding surface, that meets the track with a utility knife. Than take the sharp corners off and polish it up with 1500 grit sand paper.

Aircraft Airplane Aerospace manufacturer Automotive tire Aviation


This is the setup I use to clean the axles and wheels. I use the poor man's vice on my workbench, so I can work closer to the object.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Wood


I take a small file and clean the corner of the axle and make the head a little smaller to reduce friction. Than I continue to get rid of the scratches and imperfections by using first 320 grit, 600 grit and 1500 grit. Than polish it off with a polish.

Wood Gas Metal Auto part Electric blue


Food Cup Drinkware Wood Drink


Here an update on the painting of the colorful bunch of cars. I thought you want to know.

Wood Font Art Eyewear Sunglasses


Thanks for checking it out and all your wonderful notes.

Be well, Pb.
AWANA Grand Prix is a ton of fun. I really look forward to helping my children make their cars. I usually do all the woodworking and leave the finishing up to them. You probably have that same experience. Looks like they turned out real nice. I love the unique designs. They all look like winners to me. Have fun. :)
 

Attachments

#25 ·
Another year went by, 2011

It is November 2011, time to get the blocks of wood, wheels and axles ready for the race. We will have nine cars in the race this year, that is 36 wheels and 36 axles.

I never use the wooden block provided by the club. I do not like the position of the axles (too close together) and I do not like the slots. Other years I have always drilled new holes for the axles. I was never happy with how square the axles were in the block. This caused extra friction.

Wood Composite material Gas Hardwood Machine


Always looking for that perfect clear piece of pine. Get rid of the knots.

Wood Rectangle Road surface Composite material Hardwood


I square all the boards up on the table saw to be sure all sides were in 90 degree to each other. I like to go to the maximum length they allow me to go, 7".

Plane Wood Shoulder plane Office ruler Hardwood


On my shooting board I trough them up with my low angle plane.

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Wood stain Font


This year I started with a 3/4Ă—1 3/4Ă—7" block. Cut grooves on the table saw, with the blade set at a 45.

Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Publication

Cut grooves on the tablesaw, with the blade set at a 45. This year I went 3/4" from the front of the car and 5/8 from the back of the car.

Wood Rectangle Office ruler Floor Flooring


The groove needs to be just barely big enough for the axle.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain


I mark the area the kids can NOT touch. This is where the wheel will be touching the car body. Then underneath I glued a 1/4 board to close off the axle holes.

Tailor Dressmaker Sewing machine Gas Engineering


Yellow Creative arts Engineering Gas Machine


It this point I let the kids loose on the car bodies. They design the car on paper, and do most of the cutting themselves. They use the band saw, chisels, handsaws, whatever it takes. After this the sand the cars and paint them. I used Shellac to give the cars a nice glossy finish.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Household hardware Circle


For weight I like to use pennies to get them right up to that 5 oz mark.. They fit really nice in a 3/4 hole.

Drill Pneumatic tool Motor vehicle Wood Tool


I mount my drill in the vise and plug it into an outlet with a switch and cord. With a zip tie I set the speed of the drill just right and use the switch to turn it on and off.

Hand tool Crosscut saw Wood Metalworking hand tool Table


When working the axles, I use first a small file to get the corner cleaned up. Next I use 300, 600 and 1500 grid sand paper. And finally a polishing past.

Automotive tire Bumper Rim Grille Bicycle part


I do use a professional microscope to look at the axles real close to see if I missed anything. The picture above is taken with my camera hovering above the microscope. Here you can see the axle above is nice and square, and it is polished up to a high gloss.

Then the race begins:
Beard Baseball cap Cap Fun Leisure


Shirt Table T-shirt Competition event Recreation


There were a total of 75 cars entered for this event, as I said, 9 cars were ours. The first three trophies were given for design, we got one of these. The next seven trophies were for speed, we got three of them.

Food Vehicle Houseplant Bumper Motor vehicle


The last one was for the fastest car overall, this one came home too for this black and red car.

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Car


Wheel Tire Vehicle Car Automotive design


And above my favorite, "Mater" from "Cars".

Kids were happy, that makes me happy.

Thanks for looking, Pabull.
 

Attachments

#26 ·
Another year went by, 2011

It is November 2011, time to get the blocks of wood, wheels and axles ready for the race. We will have nine cars in the race this year, that is 36 wheels and 36 axles.

I never use the wooden block provided by the club. I do not like the position of the axles (too close together) and I do not like the slots. Other years I have always drilled new holes for the axles. I was never happy with how square the axles were in the block. This caused extra friction.

Wood Composite material Gas Hardwood Machine


Always looking for that perfect clear piece of pine. Get rid of the knots.

Wood Rectangle Road surface Composite material Hardwood


I square all the boards up on the table saw to be sure all sides were in 90 degree to each other. I like to go to the maximum length they allow me to go, 7".

Plane Wood Shoulder plane Office ruler Hardwood


On my shooting board I trough them up with my low angle plane.

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Wood stain Font


This year I started with a 3/4Ă—1 3/4Ă—7" block. Cut grooves on the table saw, with the blade set at a 45.

Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Publication

Cut grooves on the tablesaw, with the blade set at a 45. This year I went 3/4" from the front of the car and 5/8 from the back of the car.

Wood Rectangle Office ruler Floor Flooring


The groove needs to be just barely big enough for the axle.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain


I mark the area the kids can NOT touch. This is where the wheel will be touching the car body. Then underneath I glued a 1/4 board to close off the axle holes.

Tailor Dressmaker Sewing machine Gas Engineering


Yellow Creative arts Engineering Gas Machine


It this point I let the kids loose on the car bodies. They design the car on paper, and do most of the cutting themselves. They use the band saw, chisels, handsaws, whatever it takes. After this the sand the cars and paint them. I used Shellac to give the cars a nice glossy finish.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Household hardware Circle


For weight I like to use pennies to get them right up to that 5 oz mark.. They fit really nice in a 3/4 hole.

Drill Pneumatic tool Motor vehicle Wood Tool


I mount my drill in the vise and plug it into an outlet with a switch and cord. With a zip tie I set the speed of the drill just right and use the switch to turn it on and off.

Hand tool Crosscut saw Wood Metalworking hand tool Table


When working the axles, I use first a small file to get the corner cleaned up. Next I use 300, 600 and 1500 grid sand paper. And finally a polishing past.

Automotive tire Bumper Rim Grille Bicycle part


I do use a professional microscope to look at the axles real close to see if I missed anything. The picture above is taken with my camera hovering above the microscope. Here you can see the axle above is nice and square, and it is polished up to a high gloss.

Then the race begins:
Beard Baseball cap Cap Fun Leisure


Shirt Table T-shirt Competition event Recreation


There were a total of 75 cars entered for this event, as I said, 9 cars were ours. The first three trophies were given for design, we got one of these. The next seven trophies were for speed, we got three of them.

Food Vehicle Houseplant Bumper Motor vehicle


The last one was for the fastest car overall, this one came home too for this black and red car.

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Car


Wheel Tire Vehicle Car Automotive design


And above my favorite, "Mater" from "Cars".

Kids were happy, that makes me happy.

Thanks for looking, Pabull.
Very nice. We're finished with our Grand Prix years, but we had a lot of fun (and won a few trophies) over the years.

Here's a tip: I abandoned using slots for the axles after our second year. Instead, I started drilling holes for the axles, initially with a drill and a metal jig (which can be purchased online) and later with a drill press. Much more secure than grooves cut with a table saw. Plus, you can also drill one hole higher than the others so the car rides on just three wheels, which is faster. (Of course, your local club's rules may not allow this).
 

Attachments

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top