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jags

Posts: 121

Posted: 4 Nov 2009 10:59 PM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

....it is tomorrow evening for my two sons and neither of them have a car to race. (long story) I am sad about it and wondering if anybody knows of a place in the Salt Lake area one may purchase a car? I know it is better for the boys to make them, but if they at least had something to race and could participate...just hoping one of you wonderful ladies has some very last minute pointers for me!

jsenecker

Posts: 773

Posted: 5 Nov 2009 07:23 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

Have them run the block. Serriously. I have seen plain wooden blocks win. The important part is having the wheels on straight. Check with your cubmaster and he can help them get the wheels on right and they just might suprise you!

whitlarson

Posts: 5155

Posted: 5 Nov 2009 07:35 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

Most hobby stores in Salt Lake carry pinewood derby kits - with cars that are already cut (I don't know about painted, but cut).

pitterpatterchildren

Posts: 103

Posted: 5 Nov 2009 07:57 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

I agree. Get some paint (if possible). Let the boys paint the blocks and get some help getting the wheels on. That way, they can at least participate and have fun. I am not a big pinewood derby fan. I was always the single mom, with no wood working skills, whose boys never did well in those races. But I do believe it is important for them to participate. I started getting the kits in the summer and they would do the cars then. That way they were finished way in advance and I could get help for them before everyone else needed the help. We would just put the cars on the top of the bookshelf until it was time for the races in the fall. Try that after this year. It is a good 4th of July weekend project that the whole family can help with.

jags

Posts: 121

Posted: 5 Nov 2009 08:58 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

Thank you so much for your responses and ideas!

kandyh

Posts: 1461

Posted: 5 Nov 2009 09:08 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

buy some graphite for the wheels and put it on them. that is what makes them faster. HElped my son every year when he was a cub scout. We did more than the block of wood but with a little creativety in the paint department you are set to go.

kapinni

Posts: 1150

Posted: 5 Nov 2009 10:10 AM
Subject: Pinewood Derby

We were awful at finishing our cars. We always ran out to Hobby Lobby and got a pre-cut car. These are fine to use but you have to use the wheels that come with the block car. And there is usually graphite at the derby you can use.

Good luck and have fun!