Pinewood Derby Car Tools

Tool workmanship ideas:

• Work together with your child. Don`t do all the work!!
• Demonstrate proper safety precautions and use of power tools.
• Sand in the direction of the grain when smoothing and against the grain when shaping.
• Demonstrate detailed shaping. Instead of using a knife, encourage the use of a wood rasp with both fine and coarse teeth.
• Drill and/or chisel out a hole in the block of wood for weight to be added.
• You will need a bench vise, drill and bits, and possible extension cords.
• Weights can be purchased from hobby stores, or you can use lead fishing sinkers, plumbing solder, or other metal weights.
• Weigh the car components (wood block, axles, and wheels) along with the weights. Don`t forget to allow for the glue, sealer, paint, and wax coats to come later.
• After the weights are put in the holes, conceal them with plastic wood.