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Started By
Message
Designing my Outlaw Pinewood Derby car.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:02 pm
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:02 pm
Was toying with different ideas for propulsion for my Pinewood Derby car. As a Den leader I'm running in the outlaw class so there are no rules. Car just has to be able to sit on the track and make it to the bottom. I decided I wanted to take it up a notch and add some propulsion to my car. I was looking at a prop driven like an air boat but a prop with enough thrust would be too big. I started looking at Ducted fans that the "jet" RC planes use and just the ducted fan assembly without motor was going to run me a good $30+. I have an RC speed controller and electronics to run it but would have to invest another $50-60 in a motor too. I don't want to put $100 into this thing. Then I started thinking, you know what else uses a ducted fan? A hair dryer. $9.88 for a hair dryer from Wal Mart. Couple of minutes with a screw driver, some wire cutters, and a soldering iron and I have a ducted fan assembly. No it won't give me the thrust of a hobby grade plane propulsion system but I think for the pinewood derby it will do for now.
This was my first test run just strapping it to the top of my son's car using a 4xAAA battery pack for 6V. From a standstill it won't move it but if you give it a slight nudge it will continue to move and not stop.
Swapped out the 6v pack for 9V. With 9v it will push the car and it will accelerate on level ground. I think that should be more than adequate to defeat all of the gravity powered cars I will go up against.
I'm going to put a Normally closed limit switch on the front so while it's against the starting gate the motor will be off. I'll have a covered SPST switch on the car so you will put it at the gate, flip the switch on, and the car will go one the gate drops.
This was my first test run just strapping it to the top of my son's car using a 4xAAA battery pack for 6V. From a standstill it won't move it but if you give it a slight nudge it will continue to move and not stop.
Swapped out the 6v pack for 9V. With 9v it will push the car and it will accelerate on level ground. I think that should be more than adequate to defeat all of the gravity powered cars I will go up against.
I'm going to put a Normally closed limit switch on the front so while it's against the starting gate the motor will be off. I'll have a covered SPST switch on the car so you will put it at the gate, flip the switch on, and the car will go one the gate drops.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:06 pm to DeoreDX
There is p0rn on the internet brah.
Why spend time on this stuff?
Why spend time on this stuff?
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:06 pm to DeoreDX
You should grind down the wheels...
This post was edited on 2/2/16 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:13 pm to DeoreDX
I'm betting you were a virgin until your 30's.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:16 pm to DeoreDX
I though kids are supposed to make the cars?
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:20 pm to DeoreDX
quote:Back when my kids were in cub scouts, they did the cars and stuff but anyone was allowed to enter the outlaw class.
I'm running in the outlaw class so there are no rules.
Nobody ever had a shot because it seemed like every NASA Engineer had a kid in scouts and wanted to enter.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:21 pm to DeoreDX
we always have a few creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy adults that show up who don't have kids in scouts to race cars they build in the 'adult only' race.
watching these guys jump up and down while racing other creeps seriously gives me the heebies
watching these guys jump up and down while racing other creeps seriously gives me the heebies
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:21 pm to StrongBackWeakMind
get 1000 grit sandpaper and smooth those wheels a lot. Put the wheel on a power drill and slowly sand them down smooth. With that fan, it should be very fast.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:22 pm to DeoreDX
Co2 capsules that you put in airguns. Better put a weight on the front though.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:23 pm to FreddieMac
quote:
get 1000 grit sandpaper and smooth those wheels a lot. Put the wheel on a power drill and slowly sand them down smooth.
thank you captain obvious for pinewood derby building 101
This post was edited on 2/2/16 at 4:23 pm
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:25 pm to CAD703X
There are air powered cars that dominate on YouTube. Look into that...
Eh, there are actually a few leagues around the country completely unassociated with scouts. It's fun to do, most of the kids don't build the cars anyway. Sounds like those dudes need to get their own track.
quote:
we always have a few creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy adults that show up who don't have kids in scouts to race cars they build in the 'adult only' race.
watching these guys jump up and down while racing other creeps seriously gives me the heebies
Eh, there are actually a few leagues around the country completely unassociated with scouts. It's fun to do, most of the kids don't build the cars anyway. Sounds like those dudes need to get their own track.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:26 pm to Dam Guide
quote:
Sounds like those dudes need to get their own track.
it would certainly be less awkward than standing against the wall holding their cars the entire time the scouts are racing.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:27 pm to CAD703X
quote:
thank you captain obvious for pinewood derby building 101
Look at the pick, those are stock wheels, you need to get to work! LOL
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:28 pm to Dam Guide
quote:
Eh, there are actually a few leagues around the country completely unassociated with scouts. It's fun to do,
Seems like a fun hobby. I always laugh when people shite all over a harmless random hobby.
I won 2 years back when i was in the scouts. My dad and I always had a shitload of fun making the car.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:29 pm to CAD703X
quote:
thank you captain obvious for pinewood derby building 101
I know right?
Hell my, er... my son's wheels and axles are all precision machined on a CNC lathe.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:33 pm to DeoreDX
I remember one year some kid basically glued a wrench to the top of the block and ran it...he won.
Posted on 2/2/16 at 4:34 pm to BoostAddict
Aftermarket Wheels and axles give very limited gains
Bending and polishing the axles, wall riding and weight placement are where the money is at...
Also if you can make the front a little tacky without getting caught, do that lol
Bending and polishing the axles, wall riding and weight placement are where the money is at...
Also if you can make the front a little tacky without getting caught, do that lol
This post was edited on 2/2/16 at 4:35 pm
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