Building a Pinewood Derby car is a fun and rewarding experience for Cub Scouts and their families. While a simple design can be created with basic tools, more advanced designs require specialized equipment. This article outlines the tools used by a seasoned Pinewood Derby car builder to create competitive cars.
Essential Pinewood Derby Car Tools
A successful Pinewood Derby car build relies on having the right tools for cutting, shaping, and finishing the wood. Here’s a breakdown of the tools commonly used:
Cutting Tools
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Scroll Saw: This tool is excellent for making intricate cuts and detailed designs on the car body. It allows for precise curves and sharp angles, offering more creative freedom than a band saw. A scroll saw is safer for younger builders with adult supervision.
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Band Saw: While not ideal for intricate work, a band saw can be used for quickly cutting out the initial car shape from the wood block. Adult supervision is crucial due to the power of this tool.
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Radial Arm Saw: This powerful saw can be used for precise straight cuts, but is not recommended for Cub Scouts. Its use should be restricted to experienced adults due to safety concerns.
Shaping Tools
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Rasp: A rasp is a coarse file used for removing larger amounts of wood and shaping the car body’s initial form. Rasps with plastic handles are recommended for safety and comfort. Gloves should be worn when using this tool.
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Files: Various types of files, including flat, round, and half-round, are essential for refining the car’s shape and smoothing out rough edges left by the rasp. Different file coarseness (tooth size) provides varying levels of detail.
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Dremel Tool: This versatile rotary tool with various attachments can be used for fine detail work, sanding, and polishing. However, it can be challenging for younger users to control. Adult supervision is recommended.
Other Important Tools
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Drill Press: A drill press provides accuracy and control when drilling holes for axles and weight pockets. It can also be used with router bits for creating weight pockets. Using a depth stop prevents drilling through the car.
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Router & Router Bits: A router with a specific bit can be used to create precisely sized and shaped weight pockets in the underside of the car, allowing for strategic weight placement. This process should be supervised by an adult.
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Clamps and Vise: Securely holding the car in place during cutting and shaping is vital for safety and accuracy. Clamps and a vise provide the necessary stability for various operations.
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Sandpaper: Various grits of sandpaper are necessary for smoothing the car body after shaping. Starting with coarser grits and progressively moving to finer grits achieves a smooth finish.
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Safety Gear: Safety glasses and gloves are crucial for protecting eyes and hands during the building process.
Practice Makes Perfect
Before working on the final car, it’s essential to practice each operation on scrap wood. This allows for skill development and ensures the desired outcome on the finished car.
Conclusion
Building a Pinewood Derby car requires a variety of tools, from basic hand tools to more advanced power tools. While some tools, like the radial arm saw, should be avoided by young builders, others, like the scroll saw and rasp, are essential for creating a competitive car. Always prioritize safety and ensure adult supervision when using power tools. With the right tools and practice, creating a winning Pinewood Derby car is achievable and enjoyable.
