Respuestas para la especialidad JA de Derbi de automodelos de pino
Nivel de destreza
1
Año
1999
Version
07.12.2025
Autoridad de aprobación
Asociación General
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4a
4b
4c
4d
After pressing in the axles, test the car for crooked wheels. Roll it on the floor. If the wheels are on straight, the car should roll -10 feet in a fairly straight line. Should the car turn left or right, you need to tinker with the axle placement without removing them from the car body, until it rolls straight.
Do not put the axles in at the top of the groove. Put them in at the middle. This lifts the car off the track a bit more and reduces the chance of rubbing on the center strip.
4e
Leave a lot of wood in the back to put in the weights
What kind of weight? Melted lead is dangerous and unnecessary. Tubular weights can be sunk in the sides; flat weights, like those sold in hobby and scout stores can be attached to the car bottom if it is carved in a bit. Incremental weights (with pre-marked grooves) are easier to snap off into the size you need. Some folks just use BBs, nuts & bolts, etc., but these must be glued so that they can not move. No movable weights or mercury allowed.
4f
There are two main types of pine car lubricant, dry and liquid. Dry lubricants are usually either graphite or Teflon, while liquid lubricants are some type of oil. They will both help your car to go faster by reducing the friction between the wheel and the axle. Depending on the rules for your race you may be required to use one or the other so check the rules for your race to see what type of lubricant is allowed. Some races allow either type, some only allow graphite or Teflon, and others will only allow oil.
Break in the wheels by spinning them with lots of graphite.
Other than the good polishing of the axles, dump the axles and wheels in a Ziploc bag with some graphite and shake them for a few days prior to the race. That way the wheel and the axles are as slick as can be.
Just a note - graphite is very messy!
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While building and racing a pinewood derby car your Christian walk may be tested. If someone needed help on their design, did you help? If you are having trouble cutting your own car, did you accept help? Did you clean up your work area so the next person had a clean place to work, or so the staff didn’t have to clean up after you? Did you have to wait a while to use some of the tools? Being patient isn’t always easy.
Jesus was a Carpenter. Jesus may have spent many hours in a wood shop. I wonder if He helped Joseph design, transfer the design, clamp the wood, cut the wood with a saw, file, sand smooth, paint, assemble. I wonder how many tools did Jesus know how to use, that you just used yourself? I wonder...
Note: If you are planning to participate in a conference Pinewood Derby event be sure you use the correct specifications from your conference because some use different specifications than listed above.
Resources:
S&W Crafts Manufacturing
P.O. box 5501
Pasadena, CA 91117
626-793-2443
Pine Car
P.O. Box 98
Linn Creek, MO 65052
Note: Pinewood Derby cars are usually available through the Boy Scout organization.

