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Post by Nitro Kid Racing on Nov 26, 2008 20:47:27 GMT -7
I notice many people choose to drill the holes instead of slotting for the axles. Is there any benefit in doing this?
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Post by 2FAST4U on Nov 26, 2008 20:58:44 GMT -7
I notice many people choose to drill the holes instead of slotting for the axles. Is there any benefit in doing this? um, well, We have gave out our best kept speed secrete for 30 plus years...
*** THE BLOCK ***
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Post by Nitro Kid Racing on Nov 26, 2008 21:11:51 GMT -7
So does that mean it doesn't matter?
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Post by Paradise Racing on Nov 26, 2008 21:26:08 GMT -7
First let's address holes vs slots. If you look at all the leagues and look at all the cars that do well, you will see they all use holes. Perhaps the two main reasons for this are: 1. Ability to vary the length of the wheel base 2. Better control over the angle of the axles A. Relative to the track B. Relative to each other
Even if you are not allowed to lengthen your wheel base, the benefit from using perfect hole instead of the slots is very significant. Other builders can give you a longer dissertation on all the other benefits.
The second thing to address is how you put the holes in the block of wood. (Drill the holes in the block before you cut it to shape). If you want to learn everything about Pinewood Derby Racing, then try everything. If you want to save time and money and jump to the best method, get the "Block" from Jewkes Engineering.
Once you decide to use the Block, then you need to know how to use it to get the greatest benefit out of it. Check out You Tube and search for "The Block by Jewkes Engineering". This was posted by MB4Hire. He is currently one of the builders that makes the fastest cars anywhere. He has actually developed a better method than the one you will see in this video, but it will give you a good idea of what you need to do.
Keep asking questions. Everyone here is more than happy to help.
Good Luck
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Post by 2FAST4U on Nov 27, 2008 0:17:33 GMT -7
So does that mean it doesn't matter? I hope that you are kidding...
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Post by Beakerboys Racing on Nov 27, 2008 5:23:51 GMT -7
I notice many people choose to drill the holes instead of slotting for the axles. Is there any benefit in doing this? Nitro, The MOST IMPORTANT aspect of building a fast car is alignment. You can have all other aspects of your build right( ie weight placement, areodynamics, wheel and axle prep, etc), but if your wheels are fighting against each other as the car travels down the track, the car will be slow. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line! With bad alignment, your car may travel a much longer distance to get to the finish line. If you are using the BSA block to build a car there are several flaws in them that need to be addressed. First, the sides are not square relative to each other, and the axle slots are horrible. The slots are not parrellel to each other, they are not square to the sides of the block, and they are not parrellel to the track surface. This is why most guys who race in the leagues drill axle holes. You can achieve a more accurate alignment with properly drilled axle holes. Remember this equation: Potential energy(weight)- lost energy(friction, bad alignment, bad areodynamics) = kinetic energy(speed) at the finish. In other words, start with as much energy as you can, and waste as little of that energy as possible. The axle slots in the BSA blocks lack allot to be desired. These blocks are mass produced, and the quality is, to say the least, marginal. Also, after repeated removal and insertion of the axles, before long, you will have really sloppy axle slots that will be impossible to align and maintain that alignment. Axle holes eliminates this problem. When used,it makes it easier to align the car, easier to keep aligned, and allows you to adjust your wheel base, thus allowing you to maximize your weight placement. So, start drilling holes, if you want to be fast! Scott Beakerboys
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Post by Shade Racing on Nov 27, 2008 7:29:11 GMT -7
good advice guys your right on the money
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Post by Nitro Kid Racing on Nov 27, 2008 18:49:31 GMT -7
I don't have any problem with getting my car to go staight. I can do that easy. I just want to know, if you had two cars that were identical and the only difference between the two was one was hand slotted, and the other hand drilled, and they both went down the track perfectly straight, will it make a difference?
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Post by Bones on Nov 27, 2008 19:15:52 GMT -7
If you want to cant the axles (camber) it is not easy to get the angle of camber equal on both sides of the car with slots. Also if you aren't cutting your own slots the chances they are square to one another are slim and none, When you drill with the block it is a guaranteed they will be perfect.
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Post by Paradise Racing on Nov 27, 2008 21:51:18 GMT -7
Let's agree with your premise that the two cars you described both run "straight". The answer to your question about the difference between slots and holes is probably yes, it does still make a difference. The answer lies in what you had to do to each of these cars in order for them to roll straight. The thing you want to know is how much potential energy are you loosing in both situations. I would say that you are probably loosing more energy trying to get a car with slots to run straight than you would in trying to get a car with holes to run straight. I would also say that it is a lot harder to keep your car with slots to run straight over several races even if you glue them in place. In the end, it is about the time between the starting gate and the finish line over several or a couple dozen races.
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Post by 2FAST4U on Nov 27, 2008 23:33:25 GMT -7
I don't have any problem with getting my car to go straight. I can do that easy. I just want to know, if you had two cars that were identical and the only difference between the two was one was hand slotted, and the other hand drilled, and they both went down the track perfectly straight, will it make a difference? these little cars are very delicate... if you wish to use slots then you can it just takes along time to get the car aligned. to answer your question you say this: if you had two cars that were identical and the only difference between the two was one was hand slotted, and the other hand drilled, and they both went down the track perfectly straight, will it make a difference? Nope!!!the reason i say there would be no difference is what and how are you hand drilling you axle holes and are you using the BSA axle slots... you can take a car and bend your axles so they will give you little cant... then push the axles in and start going through a process to achieve an alignment that will work pretty good... but you are still eyeballing it... you still can make a fast car by doing this, but I think you will still not get it perfect and the fastest the car could be... now if you are going to have the axle straight and parallel to the track and body of the car... you would have to work the slots to death until you have basically drilled holes to achieve a good alignment... this is why my father designed The Block to limit the energy loss with wheels binding... then I redesign it, to give you the cant at any degree that you desire... i can drill the axle holes, test the car, if it is good, then off to paint... then i just push my axles and wheels in and make some final adjustments and she is ready to race... if i need to pull an axle out I can with out hurting the alignment... I am sorry that I bring the block up but this is how I make My cars and this is the only way I do it. so When someone asks how if slots are better or drilled holes are better for alignment this is my awnser... Thank you for your questions Glenn
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