Pinewood derby car weight placement

In this video, I'll go over how I place my weight in a Pinewood Derby car. I'll also explain how much weight I like on each of the three wheels that touch the track. Stay to the end for a chance to win some tungsten weight!

[@rmack5649]

Excellent video!

[@mikemcguire2550]

Thank you!

[@campns1]

Good to know that you balance the cars just like i do, teaching my kid has been a challenge in getting her to understand but this whole thing has been invaluable in teaching her application of STEM and why it would be cool to be a Mech Eng. like her dad.

[@Woodflooralchemist]

Very helpful. Thank you sir.

[@mikemcguire2550]

You're welcome!

[@gokupepper]

Outstanding. I've seen your name in other places...

[@mikemcguire2550]

Great! But I’d bet you’ve seen my sons name, Reece ore than my name!

[@robertfisher8260]

Finally someone explains the weight distribution right ty🙏 one question though when adding weight to the front wheel how do you distribute the weight over that axle?

[@mikemcguire2550]

Are you asking how I distribute weight between the two front wheels? I normally use a raised front wheel on one side. That wheel would have no weight on it.

[@robertfisher8260]

@@mikemcguire2550 no just on the one wheel so I watched another one of your videos and it says 15g so are you actually putting weight by that front axle

[@mikemcguire2550]

Okay, I understand the question now. I don’t place weight next to the front axle. Later in the video I show the exact weight placement I used to achieve 15g on the front wheel

[@robertfisher8260]

@@mikemcguire2550 ok so you just shift the weight, really like the videos ty

[@We5iveKings]

Can you share the dimensions of your car? Length overall and wheelbase. Can I assume you run camber on the three grounded wheels?

[@mikemcguire2550]

The car is 7” long 1.75” wide with a 4.75” wheelbase. The rear axles are drilled at 3 degrees and I bend the front axle

[@We5iveKings]

Thanks a ton!

[@We5iveKings]

Is your car built from balsa or maybe hollowed out forward portion of the body?

[@mikemcguire2550]

@@We5iveKings The frame is poplar and the openings I've filled with balsa. You should check out my body video. It shows how I make my bodies

[@tateabdon1]

When using 3 scales I have always tried to make the back two wheels perfectly balanced have you found that slows down the car I've always found this to make you go a little faster but I could be wrong

[@mikemcguire2550]

When I began Distibuting weight like I show in this video, I was able to reduce the steer without creating wiggles. I think the car picked up .002-.003 If I remember correctly

[@PFDarkside]

Love your videos. Are your leagues in person or mail-in?

[@mikemcguire2550]

Some people attend live but most ship cars

[@JohnnyCat-Darts]

What brand and type of glue do you prefer?

[@mikemcguire2550]

I use X1 from pinewoodderbyproducts.com

[@mikemcguire2550]

I'm sorry I read your question too quickly. I thought you asked about the oil I use. I normally use gorilla CA glue.

[@JohnnyCat-Darts]

Was wondering if you would alter the 15g of weight on the front dominant wheel on a track like this? kzbin.infoowTNW20Serk?si=Cb-lmd0MWwXzQ5yA Also would you change anything in how the stick body is set up? It is a 125’ track, normal BSA rules, fenders allowed. Then what would be your optimum configuration with no rules restricting you?

[@mikemcguire2550]

One of the guys that races at APR won that race a few years ago. He told me that the key to that race was to build a very durable car. He mentioned that after every heat he had to do repairs because the cars collided in the stop section

[@Jlmb9]

Thanks

[@TalkingGIJoe]

if you are asking you have probably not visited the physics of pinewood derby website...

[@mikemcguire2550]

Yes, I've seen that video.

[@CavemanVanDweller]

Doesn't matter, even the pinewood derby is rigged. Has been since the early 1980's 😕