How to apply pinewood derby graphite dry Lube?
How to apply Pinewood Derby Graphite Dry Lube is so easy, you can leave it in the hands of your cubber no matter what the age. What important to note is correct rotation of wheels in the forward direction as if the car was traveling down the back. If no treadmill is available, then you can substitute with finger rolling.
What is the best lubricant for your car?
Graphite and graphite with moly are the best lubricants for your car. They are reasonably priced, perform well and are accepted by almost all groups and organizations.
How do you polish the axles of a pinewood derby car?
When combined with a polished wheel and lubrication, your Pinewood Derby car will be performing at the highest level. Ensure all burs or bumps have been removed from the axle by using a small file. Most wheel and axle polishing kits will come with the materials needed to properly polish the axles on your car.
Can you use Krytox on pinewood derby wheels?
Krytox can be safely used with any brand of pinewood derby wheels. It is colorless, odorless, non-hazardous, and plastic-safe. The key to using a thin-film lubricant is that " less is best ".
Which has less mess, oil or graphite?
Added advantage: Oil lubricants have less mess than graphite.
What is Nyoil oil?
Nyoil is a thin film oil lubricant that reduces friction and has the advantage of staying on your axles throughout all the races.
What lubricant is used in the Pinewood Derby?
Lubricants can make the critical difference between winning or losing a Pinewood Derby race. Our graphite and oil have been formulated to work the best with the plastic wheels and metal axles on your Pinewood Derby car.
How to use lubricant on a car?
How to use: Put one drop of lubricant on an axle. Tip the axle so down and let the lube flow to the end of the axle. Insert a wheel into the axle. Spin the wheel several times. Remove the axle and wipe off the lubricant with a clean, soft rag. Reinsert the wheel into the axle and attach to your car.
How to get graphite out of a wheel?
Tap the wheel several times with your finger to move the graphite throughout the wheel. Hold the axle horizontal and spin the wheel with your finger several times. Repeat steps 2 through 4 several times. Attach the wheel and axle to your car.
How to apply graphite to a car?
Graphite should be first applied before the wheels are attached to the car. How to apply graphite: Insert a wheel into an axle. Hold the wheel down. Shake the graphite tube then squeeze out several puffs of graphite into the gap between the wheel and the a xle. Tap the wheel several times with your finger to move the graphite throughout ...
How many scouts did the Pine Car Derby beat?
annual pine car derby races. He beat out 60+ other scouts to come out on
Can you use dry lubricant in races?
Legal in all races that specify that only dry lubricants can be used.
Can you use Krytox on pinewood wheels?
Krytox can be safely used with any brand of pinewood derby wheels. It is colorless, odorless, non-hazardous, and plastic-safe. The key to using a thin-film lubricant is that " less is best ". Applying too much lubricant will slow your car down. Put one drop of lubricant on an axle.
How much weight do you need for a Pinewood Derby?
Weight - It is vital to have your Pinewood Derby car weigh the proper amount. Depending on your race rules, the car may be required to weigh 5 oz., 5.5 oz. or 6 oz. S&W Crafts suggests a 6 oz car, however many groups have a 5 oz. limit. No matter what that weight limit is, it’s imperative that your car is as close to that limit as possible, without going over. Bonus tip: weight placement is also important. Place as much of the weight as you can approximately 1” in front of the rear axle. This is called the center of gravity or center of mass. Your Pinewood Derby car should be able to balance at this point on the car.
Why does my Pinewood racer slow down?
This may seem like an afterthought to many, but if your Pinewood Racer doesn’t go straight, the wheels will rub against the track, causing it to slow down. Remember, friction is your enemy. Weight - It is vital to have your Pinewood Derby car weigh the proper amount.
What is a polished axle?
Axles – A polished axle will give you a smooth shiny surface for your wheel to ride on. When combined with a polished wheel and lubrication, your Pinewood Derby car will be performing at the highest level. Ensure all burs or bumps have been removed from the axle by using a small file. Most wheel and axle polishing kits will come with the materials needed to properly polish the axles on your car.
How long does it take to apply pinewood lube?
If no treadmill is available, then you can substitute with finger rolling. Just take like 30 minutes per wheel. YES 30 mins per wheel. If mechanical means of rotating wheels is desired or setup, please keep rpms low. NO Dremel or High Speed Rotary Tools!
How long to lubricate treadmill wheels?
Once tuning is complete and you are happy with the wheel play, then it is time to start building up layers of dry lube. Turn the treadmill to full blast! Add a LIBERAL amount of dry lube to all running wheels as it is traveling every 45-60 seconds. Continue this process for 10 minutes. 10 minutes at top speed should yield the equivalent of approximately 400-500 races.
Do you need to lubricate your car after a race?
If satisfied PACK your car up in a racing box, and do nothing with it until race day. No other lubing is necessary. We have not seen any data that shows any additional lube after this point helps.
jeffreyl7 Pinewood Ninja
Our district and Pack have banned oil after allowing it since at least 2005. They are also abandoning a 42' Best Track to go to a "more equitable" wooden track. One of my three boys has won the Pack & our district each year except one since ' 08. We have always used John's products and methods to great success.
Resophonic Racing National Contender
Ok first of all the type of track you are racing on will determine how we proceed. Although lube is major key contributor to speed, alignment is the foundation. Use the DD4H graphite and bore prep - DO NOT USE PTFE on the axles. IMHO weight placement and how you set the car up is going to win the race on a wooden track.
B-4 Racing Pinewood Ninja
I hope this thread keeps going, I'm always interested in where this could go.
jeffreyl7 Pinewood Ninja
First, we need to win our Pack divisions to advance, which is still on a Best Track. It sounds like we are going to have to use two setups.
OPARENNEN National Contender Pro Race Winner National Champion
A common trick used when only dry lub is allowed. They prep the wheel bores and axels like in the DD4H video (or buy ready preped wheels and axles). Then they prep the axles and bores with a minimum amount of oil, 2 drops at the most.
OPARENNEN National Contender Pro Race Winner National Champion
Last year, a mother, father, and a grandpa with two boys came to me bringing thier finshed cars with them, wanting me to make them go faster. The whole family looked like they were righ out of Nerdsville. The two boys had braces on rather bucked teeth and glasses with coke bottle bottoms.
AUPatrick Pinewood Ninja
I saw where you posted polishing the axles with Pledge. I have bought your dvd and your polishing kit. We have to run grahphite on our cars. Do you suggest Pledge after going through all of the grit sandpaper and polishing liquid provided in your kit? Thanks
