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Frequently Asked Questions About our Pinewood Derby Products
Are grooved axles really faster than non-grooved axles?
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Both axles are the same speed if no lubricant is used. Grooved axles have a smaller surface area but this advantage is offset by the increased pressure on the remaining surface. The results change if a lubricant (dry or liquid) is used. Now the smaller surface area of the grooved axle has an advantage because the lubricant reduces the friction caused by the extra pressure. Our tests have shown a gain of about 4 inches at the finish line when grooved axles with a lubricant are used. More about our axles |
What is so great about your graphite coated axles?
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We developed a special process that bonds the graphite to the axle. The result is an even distribution of graphite along the length of the axle shaft that gives faster speed than loose graphite and lasts for a very long time. Our tests have shown no reduction in speed after 20 races! For extra speed, add some loose graphite before the race. |
What are your graphite pads?
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A large source of friction is the rubbing that goes on between the wheel and the Pinewood Derby car body. Some people angle the axles up in an attempt to keep the wheel away from the body. A better solution is our graphite pads. These are 1/4" self adhesive pads that are placed over the axle hole on the body. The axle is placed through the center of the pad. Now the wheel will rub against the pad instead of the car body greatly reducing friction. Our tests have shown a gain of about 7 inches at the finish line when using graphite pads. More about our pads |
Which pre-cut car is the best?
 Stock Car  Ferrari |
It depends on what you are looking for. The cars with the most wood such as the Stock Car and Deuce Coupe don't need as much weight so they are easier to build. In fact, some Stock Car blocks don't need any added weight. The sleeker cars such as the Ferrari have a slight aerodynamic advantage over some of the blockier cars but the advantage is very small. |
How long does it take to build a car using one of your designs?
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Plan on at least one day to cut and sand the car, another day to paint it and a third day to add decals and the wheels and axles. The hardest part about making a car is cutting the wood. All of our car designs use only straight cuts and this simplifies construction. Our plans give step-by-step instructions and a lot of diagrams to show you how to do it. Some people trace the design on the side of the car (using the included templates) then take the block down to Home Depot or a hardware store and ask them to make the cut. More about our car designs |
Which lubricant is best, dry or liquid?
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Our liquid lubricant (Nyoil II) is better than dry lubricants such as graphite. It is faster and lasts longer. The trick is to use a very small amount of the liquid. You want a very thin film on the axles. Most Pinewood Derby car races prohibit liquid lubricants because the liquid can drip onto the track. If you use a liquid other than Nyoil, be sure to test it first - some liquid lubricants can soften the plastic wheels. We tested every available dry lubricant and the Hob-E-Lube that we sell is the fastest. It has a small amount of molybdenum mixed with the graphite for better lubricating characteristics. |
Are axle holes better than axle slots?
One
of the big problems with slots is that it is difficult to insert the axle so that it is level. If
your rules allow it, axle holes are the way to go. You can use a #44 bit and a drill press to drill a hole next to each slot an 1/8" from
the bottom of the car block. If you have a hand drill, you can use our Pro-Body
Tool to drill the holes. If your rules specify that you must
use the slots, our Pro-Axle Guide will
make sure that the axles are inserted properly.
What type of glue should I use on my Pinewood Derby car?
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Use super glue on the accessories such as roll bars, drivers, spoilers and so on. You don't want those falling off! Only a small amount of super glue is needed to attach these parts to your car. Make sure that the paint has completely dried. Use a weaker glue on the axles so that you can take them off if you need to make a repair or adjustment. Most wood glues will work fine for this. To glue the axles to your car, first insert the axles (with wheels) in the slots and check for alignment. When all looks good, turn the car over and apply a small amount of glue to the part of the axle that is away from the wheel. It is important that you do not get any glue near the wheels. Glue is usually not needed if you are using holes instead of slots. |
What weights are best to use on my car?
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We offer three different weights: Barrel - made from zinc. They break off into .25 oz sections. Zinc isn't as dense as lead so more is needed. Can be attached to your car by drilling 3/8" holes and installing in the holes then sealed with glue or wood putty. Can also be attached to the outside of your car as fuel tanks or rocket engines. Best used in pinewood cars that need 1.5 oz of weight or less. Wire - made from lead. More dense than zinc so less is needed. The 1/4" wire can be easily cut to the exact weight needed and can be bent into various shapes. Lead should not be handled by children. Stick-on - made from lead. Self stick backing for attaching to the outside of your pinewood car. Best used to fine tune your weight just before the race. Lead should not be handled by children. |