It’s Pinewood Derby Day!

Her first. Low friction thoughts and prayers appreciated!

k8s1qu5el9yh.jpeg
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
- Isaac Asimov

Hi-Fi
Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
Cabling by Groneberg
Visuals
https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
«13

Comments

  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    8tbo0u0gug5u.jpeg
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Very nice! Well done daddy! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    xxvjo2actiz0.jpeg
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    agmrzjiqs8ez.jpeg
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,907
    edited March 2019
    Cute girl, good luck!

    My son and I did this many years ago in Indian Guides. He finished 2nd out of 600 entries in district.

    Little trick, use a wedge shaped car and used 3000 grit sandpaper (you can get higher than that now) to polish the axles. Use graphite on the axles after you polish them after using the sandpaper on them. Tell your kid this takes awhile to do so they need to keep working at it. They will be pleased with the results.

    We also did the rubber band powered rockets that run on a string in Indian Guides which was fun also.
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,860
    edited March 2019
    Good tips Milito! We bought 4 kits to finally end up with 4 wheels/axles that didn’t oscillate at speed. Matching the wheel to a smooth axle is key. You’ve got to be able to spin the wheel as fast as you can with your finger and have it not vibrate to win. I polished the axles and sanded wheel burrs to get the wheels true. Won our den, won pack, won city, won regional and took 3rd at state competition with this method. Oh yeah, he just turned 37 last week so this was a while back!
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,860
    Got to be humbling getting whooped up on by the little girl with the pink car! Congrats!
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Yep! My wife pointed out that ours was the only girl to place. I’d not even noticed. :)
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,907
    edited March 2019
    If the rules allow it, you can also set up the car to roll on 3 wheels. Two on back and one on the front. Less rolling resistance. Make sure you check that the car rolls straight after doing this if allowed.

    If you have a drill press, put the axles in the chuck to polish them or use a drill.

    Tell your daughter congrats from all of us.
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    That's great fun. She's adorable! Good luck!
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    The rules to allow this, though the vehicle itself must have four wheels if I’m not mistaken. I think only three have to touch the track. I’ll check the specifics. Really appreciate all the hints here!!
    Milito wrote: »
    If the rules allow it, you can also set up the car to roll on 3 wheels. Two on back and one on the front. Less rolling resistance. Make sure you check that the car rolls straight after doing this if allowed.

    If you have a drill press, put the axles in the chuck to polish them or use a drill.

    Tell your daughter congrats from all of us.

    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Milito wrote: »
    Tell your daughter congrats from all of us.

    We’ve not started talking about addictions yet. So I think I’ll ease her into the idea that I have group of audio enablers. :D
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,907
    You need to polish them after sanding.

    I like that serious look.
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    She is focused. Love it!
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    I thought the 300 grit was polishing. What do u suggest for polishing?
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    edited April 2019
    stretchl wrote: »
    I thought the 300 grit was polishing. What do u suggest for polishing?

    10,000

    I think she's precious! I love her intensity, and, of course, she's as cute as can be in her safety goggles! I wish her the best of results and a little luck on top.
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    OK. I'm on it. We used a friend's drill press yesterday. I guess for the final polish I can put the nail head in an electric drill and do it here at home?
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Try to use the fixed drill press if you can, it'll be more true than a hand held drill, even if it's mounted in a vice.
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Thinking out loud here, I wonder what it might do to coat the polished nails/axles in some sort of clear coat. A thin layer. Obviously having the nail/axle perfectly plum vertically while drying.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,907
    edited April 2019
    Do not use clear coat as it won't be as smooth as the polished axles. Clear coat won't be as round also no matter how you put it on.

    As for polish, use any fine grit one and you can do it with a drill. We used a fine grit and then a ultra fine grit polish.

    A fixed drill press would be easier to use. If you do use a drill put it in a vise so it will be stable.

    BTW when I said 3 wheels I meant run 4 wheels, but only have one of the front wheels touch the track.

    You can do a search on google for pinewood derby speed tips and probably find a site that has them. It has been nearly 30 years since my son raced them. He still has the car that got 2nd in the final meet.

    Just remember , Pinewood derby cars are all about friction and drag going down the track. If your car runs true and it has less friction and drag than the car it is racing it will win as long as it gets an equal start. Make sure you daughter knows to line up the car correctly on the start and tell her why it is important. If the car isn't straight at the start she could lose even if she has a faster car. Also study the lanes as one lane is usually faster than the other and if she has a choice on which lane to use have her pick that one.

    We raced in three different meets before we went to the final round and the competition needless to say got better at each one. My son and a friend of his both made it to the final meet. My son made it to the final race, but his friend got beat a few races before the final race. Some of the kids got pretty upset that they lost. One kid my son beat had been beating every car pretty bad and when he got beat he got very upset.
    Post edited by Milito on
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    I won my Pinewood derby in IL - and I am 61 yo. They have come a long way since 1967
    [
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Ok. Nixing the clear coat idea.

    I understand about the 4th wheel. After the race I pushed the car over our granit kitchen counter and it turns out the LF wheel wasn’t quite touching the surface. Didn’t know that before the race but will make sure to keep it that way for the next.

    Have been lookin at various web sites. But enjoy the brainstorming here, too. So thanks for that.

    The way they do the races these days each car gets a run in each of the three lanes. Then they average out those three and the best avg time wins.

    A scout official places the cars in the starting position. That’s a great thought, though, about making sure the car is placed properly. Don’t know how much input we’ll have though.

    Will keep everyone posted on our progress. :)
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,557
    This thread reminds me of slot car racing. Maybe she would like that as well, if you have a shop/track near you. Unfortunately slot car racing is becoming less and less popular these days.
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    I used to LOVE slot car when I was a kid!! Had a big Revell track with banked curves. Seems like there was a big track somewhere near our house that we went to a couple of times. There is one here in champaign that I’ve been meaning to take her to.

    But my wife and I we’re just talking about her possibly being overcommitted. Scouts & dance Monday’s, tutoring tuesdays, piano lessons Wednesdays, gymnastics Thursdays, family night Fridays, ice skating/swimming Saturdays and church Sundays. And we’re pitting in a couple of bee hives this spring.

    Wish running around for this stuff would exhaust her as much as it does her parents!
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,163
    stretchl wrote: »
    Thanks for the tips, guys! She did very well considering it was her (and my!) first time. She made the cut so we’re definitely planning to tweak the car before heading off to the Central Illinois council races in a few weeks. :)

    2sivt9v4devk.jpeg

    This is my first year not making a car and running the race since 2013. Kinda miss it. We won Den two times out of 5 years. Never did better than that.

    Funny, I was looking at the photos of the cars above and the 2nd car from the right looks almost exactly like my son's first car as a Tiger (the black with red stripes). We called it Black Widow and he won the den that year and placed 4th in the Pack (pack of almost 100 kids). That was our fastest car. Funny how that works. I did the same prep to the axles, improved weight distribution, and a bunch of other tweaks, but that 1st year car was still the best.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    Yeah. I told grace that we’ll see what we can do to improve, but we might not win at that level.

    I didn’t tell her what I’m secredtly afraid of - that we’ll go slower! :D
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,907
    edited April 2019
    Good that they average the 3 lanes, much better that way.

    I also did slot cars for awhile in the 8th grade with my dad at a local track. Also did 1/8 scale gas R/C racing from 1976-1981.
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,421
    In addition to the 3-wheel trick, see if you can get the axles to have a very slight tilt down as they're inserted into the body. Gives the wheels a little camber that a) decreases contact patch with the track (less friction) and b) coaxes the wheels to the outside of the axle, where they will not rub against the body of the car (less friction). Keep this tilt to a small degree, so that the width of the car does not become more than allowed.

    z915bk83jqr4.png

    That picture has the angle exaggerated a bit (and it looks like the axles are bent? Don't do that, just insert each at a slight downward slope).

    I didn't go "crazy dad" with building PW cars for my two boys, but the above techniques let them be competitive every year and place in their pack/win a trophy. The first year we built whatever they wanted and ended up with pretty bricks, aerodynamically speaking. When each decided they wanted to be more competitive in subsequent years, we did a little research and engineered a bit better.

    Whatever the results, enjoy your time with her. My boys turned 16 and 13 last month and I can't believe how fast the years seem to pass...


    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0