Pinewood Derby Car

'Tis the time of year for the Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby! When it was my first year with a son in cub scouts they told us the kids have to make the car. We showed up with a sanded square block of wood versus a sea of glossy racing cars obviously made by the fathers. That year I was deemed one of "those fathers" - the ones who don't take the time to "help" their kids with their cars. Lets set aside all the BS and get to reality. The Pinewood Derby is actually an excuse for grown men to be kids again. Grown men make these toy racing cars and their kids race to see whose father is the best designer. It shouldn't be that way, I agree, but after my first year I swore I would never be one  of "those fathers" again!

This year I reviewed the design ideas with Mike and considered the many cars we have made over the years. I have determined there are too many people tweaking every last dynamic in attempt to win. Unlike previous years we were going to make a car that probably looks better than it will perform.

It all started with drawing the design on the block.

Then "we" (which means me) cut the design out using the jigsaw.

I had my oldest son hand sand that first derby car that we made years ago. We don't hand sand anymore. I set the belt sander up and use it like a lath to shape the car.

"We"  had the car shaped. And by "we" I mean that Mike is watching to the tolerance of his attention, and then he is playing with things in the wood shop and eventually his attention is completely gone.

Next goes the base coat, spray painted on.

Once that dries, we add decorative paint: chrome silver and neon orange flames.

Attach the wheels and the car is ready to race!

The cars can not weight more than 5oz. That usually isn't a problem, in fact we usually have to attach weights to the car to get it near 5oz.  I have some weights that I will take with me to the weigh-in. The best we have ever done is 2nd place one year. So, my expectations are to have a good time but not necessarily a winning car. And just like how I still have my derby cars that I raced as a kid, my youngest now has another car to add to his collection.