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How to add weight to our Vampire Pinewood Derby Car
For your best chance to win your pinewood derby race, your Vampire car should weigh 5 oz. This block needs about 2 ounces of additional weight to reach 5 ounces.
Install the weights in your pinewood derby car before you paint it.
First, place all of your car's components on an accurate scale. Add weights to bring the total to 5 ounces. Do not exceed 5 ounces.
After your car is complete, weigh it again. If it is over 5 ounces, remove some wood from the bottom of the block by drilling some holes about an inch behind the front axle.
Below are two suggestions for adding weights to the Vampire pinewood derby car. You can use a similar procedure if you have different weights,
Lead Wire Weights
Lead is toxic. Always use gloves when working with lead and make sure that none of the lead is exposed after you install it in the block.
Weigh the car and weights then cut the three weights into equal lengths to bring the car to the 5 ounce weight limit. Use a hack saw, coping saw or wire cutters to cut the weights.
You will need:
- One set of Lead Wire Weights
- Drill and 5/16" drill bit
- Wood putty
- Sandpaper
- Hack saw, coping saw or wire cutters
- Clamp the Vampire block on a flat surface.
- Drill three 5/16" holes straight into the back of the block using the pattern shown above based on the length of the weights. Be careful to drill above the rear axle slot. Drill the holes just deep enough to hold all the weights. The depth of the holes should be 1/8 inch deeper than the length of the weights. This will leave room for the wood putty.
- Remove the clamp from the block.
- Weigh the block, wheels, axles and weights again. Adjust the amount of weight if needed for 5 oz.
- Install the weights in the block leaving an extra 1/8" of space for the wood putty. Seal the weight holes with the wood putty and allow to dry in a warm place for 12 hours.
- Sand the wood putty until smooth.
You can now paint your Vampire pinewood derby car and add the wheels and axles.
If the completed car weighs less than 5 oz. drill one or more hole in the bottom of the car in front of the other weights and insert some of the leftover lead weight in the holes. Seal with wood putty.
Tungsten Weights
Although tungsten costs more, it is very dense so more of the weight can be placed farther back on the pinewood derby car.
You will need:
- Two 1/2 oz Tungsten Cylinders
- Four 1/4 oz Tungsten Cylinders
- One Fine Tune Cylinder
- Drill and 3/8" drill bit
- Sandpaper
- Wood Putty
- Drill two 3/8" holes straight into the back of the block. The holes should have sufficient depth to hold an equal amount of Tungsten cylinders and enough of the Fine Tune Cylinder to bring the car to the 5 oz limit.
- Insert the weights in the holes. The weights should be recessed into the block by 1/8: to allow for the wood putty.
- Weigh the block, wheels, axles and weights again. Adjust the amount of weight if needed with the Fine Tune Cylinder.
- Wood putty should be used to seal the weight holes. Allow to dry in a warm place for 12 hours.
- Sand the wood putty until smooth and flush with the car block.
- Paint your car and add the wheels and axles. .