Pinewood derby

[davem]

Stan had his pinewood derby race today, took first place in his den so he gets to go to the next race. I'm in South Africa right now on business so I missed it, but my daughter uploaded some videos for me. Here's one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/36359401@N03/3354093395/) that cracked me up. :D

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[jgleason]

:lol1: He's a riot! Too bad you couldn't be there. How's your trip going?

[muskymike]

That's awesome Dave. I remember when I was a kid and making those cars fer the pinewood derby. One year, I took 1st place in craft outta bout 150 kids.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

congrats dave that's awsome. My boy just took second last weekend. He was pretty happy. The final was a best of three and he won the first and then lost two in a row. bummer.

[ddmoit]

Nice, Dave!

I have fond Pinewood Derby memories as a boy and a father.

[cx]

Mmmm, musta been after my time. I ain't never heard tell of a pinewood derby. :shrug:

What's Stan saying is good in that video, Dave? "My something is good." But I can't hear the something.

Most excellent video, though. :)

[davem]

The trip is going pretty well Joe, with any luck I'll be home on time or a day or two early, knock wood. ;)

CX, he's saying his "tank" is good. We looked through some templates for ideas and he liked one called Tankity-Tankity. :)

[John Bridge]

I have the distinct honor of having caused one of my boys to secure last place years ago. I shaped a rail style dragster out of that block of wood, the sleekest, meanest looking car in the race. It was also the slowest. Too light. :D

[Tilehelperdan]

I did the same thing when I was in the scouts, John. I carved me a beautiful, sleek sports car based on a Ferrari. Then I painted it the prettiest green you ever saw. And then I lost.

[cx]

Yeah, don't look like wind resistance is a big hazard. Stan's Tank shoulda been good. :)

Y'all allowed to drill'em and fill'em with lead shot or similar? :D

[ddmoit]

Yep, lead is allowed. There is a maximum weight restriction, and all the cars are weighed before competition.

[davem]

Yep, 5 ounces max weight. Stan used the drill press to drill a big hole in the back and we filled it up with strips of 50/50 plumbing solder that can't be used for anything else. :)

[Levi the Tile Guy]

My boys we used a little lead and glued quarters to the front, and drilled holes for nickels in the back. I guess he gets to go to district also, just found that out Monday at the den meeting.

[John Bridge]

I'm glad to hear the Cubs are still doing pine wood derbys. In fact, I'm glad Scouting has been able to fend off all the attacks that have been launched against it. Some years after losing that race I worked my way up to Scoutmaster of a back-packing troop in Arizona. Had two Eagles in the troop to help keep the ruffians in line. Great outfit. Great times. Lots of fun. ;)

[Levi the Tile Guy]

it is great fun. I went with my boys den to cut christmas trees for people that couldn't afford them that was cool. My youngest boy starts tiger scouts next year and I'm thinking about being the den leader for him. He's real excited (knows more about the scouts than his brother that is one) and there aren't enough volunteers here so I think I'm gonna do it. My dad was my pack leader and he still remembers those good times, and he doesn't have much of a memory anymore.

[John Bridge]

"and there aren't enough volunteers here"

How do you think I ended up being scoutmaster? :D

Go for it, my friend. Don't get too pissed off when other parents make demands they're not willing to back up with time of their own. You're a good man, Levi. Scouting needs you. And the boys who don't have dads as in touch as you are (or who don't have dads at all) need you too. :)

[sgrandjean]

I sure wish more Councils and Districts would promote the idea that this is the Cub Scout's project...I'm wary of any Pinewood Derby car that looks as if it spent time in a wind tunnel. We've got our district PWD coming up at the end of the month...fond memories - although I'm quite certain I never made it past the Pack level. I spent hours on my most memorable car and it lost...an earlier car won third place and it looked as if I just slapped some silver paint on it after hurriedly cutting out a more aerodynamic shape with a coping saw.

Cheers.

P.S. I can't seem to say no either, as I'm in my third year as District Commissioner.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

I helped my boy cut the shape, he's 7 and I didn't want him hurting himself. He told me what shape he wanted it though, and he did all the sanding, drilling, painting, glueing, and nailing on the wheels himself. I tried to post pics, but couldn't get it to load. kept failing I don't know why.

[sgrandjean]

Levi,

Glad to hear that some dads are assisting with the power tools but refrain from doing all the work. I know I ran across the car that lost just the other day...will see if I can locate it again and post a picture or two...course I realize I'm rather late in posting other pictures as well.

Cheers.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

I hear you though. The car that won design was real cool lookin but there is no way a 7 or 8 year old kid made it. There was a spare tire carved into the wood, and a grill carved into, and all sorts of detail that I sure couldn't even make.