Use a rasp to shape your Pinewood Derby car. It's as easy as ABC!

How to Use a Rasp to Build Your Pinewood Derby Car

Rasps look a lot like files but are rougher and are made for removing wood.
Rasps come in several shapes including round, half round, and flat.

You might not even need a saw with many Pinewood Derby car designs. Use a rasp to shape the car if no deep cuts are needed. Rasps leave gouges in the wood so you will need to use sandpaper to smooth the wood when you are done with the rasp.

What kind of rasp should you get? All three types have their uses.

A flat rasp can be used to create a variety of notches.	It is also good at rounding corners.
The half round rasp can make smooth grooves.	Rounded notches and other detail work is for the round rasp

General tips:

• Keep in mind that most of the wood should be removed during the push. When you are close to finishing, use only pull strokes to remove less wood and fine tune the shape.
• You may find it helpful if you hold the tip of the rasp with your other hand to help guide the rasp and control the amount of pressure on the wood.
• If you can, change the angle of the rasp slightly during each stroke.
• Remove the sawdust from the rasp often with a brush. Also, blow or wipe the sawdust off of the block so that you can see your progress.
• Put handles on your rasps. They will be a lot more comfortable to use and easier to control.
• Lighten up on the pressure when you are almost done so that you make smaller grooves in the wood. This will make sanding your Pinewood Derby car a lot easier.
• A flat metal file is a great tool to use after the rasp to smooth the wood.

Rasps can be purchased here

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