You can download Pinewood Derby in Six Steps , or read on….
Well, first and foremost it is important to let your child decide what car design he or she wants. (Most derby cars are built as a parent/child project.) The more input the child has, the more they will feel ownership of the car and the more they will get out of the project.
Pinewood Pro has written a nice pinewood derby car design idea guide to help you get started. There are over one hundred car design ideas offered, with lots of info and car design resource links.
If you want to start from scratch, I would suggest drilling the axle slots with a drill press so your car rolls straight. You can also raise one wheel (see Winning Pinewood Derby Secrets).
You can also purchase a pre-drilled pinewood car block to save time.
Next you need a car design “theme”. Again, ask your child what they want….a fast aerodynamic race car or a funny theme or perhaps a theme based on their favorite cartoon character.
Once you have the theme, look for ideas related to that theme. Now your child can have fun drawing their car. At this point your pinewood derby car starts taking shape. As the adult in this project, you need to be sure the car is not too difficult to make! Be sure there are not too many intricate cuts.
The best tool to use for intricate cuts is a coping saw . The kit offered by Pinewood Pro includes five coping saw blades as well as a four sided wood rasp to smooth the rough edges.
You are now on your way to building your pinewood derby car. But before you rush off, be sure investigate speed techniques so your car is competitive.
Making a fast car involves all aspects of the car design, wheels and axles. Winning Pinewood Derby Secrets is the bible of speed secrets, but you can read about speed basics at How to Build a Fast Pinewood Derby Car .
Hope this helps give you plenty of ideas for pinewood derby car designs.
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