where is it best to put the weights in the front the middle or the back ? when i was a kid we pre drilled and stuffed in lead . Today i purchased weights that will go on the underside of the car . My son is concerned about it doing well .The weights are in a shape similar to a xylophone,.with sections that are perforated to remove some weight if necessary ,Also what are some of the weights of the winners that have won in the past ?

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John,
Please read the previous post "Tips On Weight". It should give you some good information to start with. By the way, make sure you recess the area you put those weights in or the car may scub on the center guiderail of the track. You will find that you may not want to use those after all. There are other weight sources that are more dense (weigh more for the same size) such as lead fishing weights, lead tire balancing weights, tungsten (I've heard that there are tungsten fishing weights too). There are other sources as well but this was to give you an idea. Lead will be the cheapest and easiest to find but also the most dangerous (be sure to wash hands after handling) with metals like tungsten being the most expensive and hardest to find.

Da Graphite Kid

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John there is anouther way to place the weight. It sounds like the type I had for my car. I incorperated them into the design. I placed them on top.So the center of gravity was at 1.25 in from the rear axle.
the concept is to push down and go forward. Balance postioning on the car is important. I will email a picture of the car. I won the adult division and my Daughter got 2nd.

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John,The best place to put the weight is as far back as you can. I mean over the rear wheels I got this tip from hodges hobby house.Ive had success with this. they used to be in the Boys Life magazine. we plan on doing this again this year......

John,Its been proven the fastest PWD is a wedge. but Im going to let you in on a little secret.... You need to open up the wheelbase. dont use the factory axle holes. Did I mention cambering the wheels 3 degrees and as I said earlier get your weight as far back in the car as you can. Our cars all weigh in at 5 oz

John, don't build a wedgie! There is no reason why this design has to be faster than another. What a wedge design does is it forces you to put your weight in the back of the car. Many designs can allow for this. If you think that the wedge is faster due to aerodynamics than you would be wrong as the wedge shape would cause more downward force which would mean more friction (slower car). Many others on another powd posting site will agree with me on this.

If you do have to use the factory slots, make the one closest to the end of the block your rear axle slot. Same goes if you drill holes. This will allow more weight to be placed farther back without causing the front end of the car to lift. Think teeter-totter here. If your rules allow, use the extended wheelbase as the ole man stated.

Da Graphite Kid

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I am trying to help my son with his car. We need to add about 8/10 oz weight to his car. We have drilled out the back and put weight there. Where do we put the other weight? Down the center underneath or on top. Also any suggestions for getting the wheels real smooth? I am trying. Help please.

derbymom

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check out pope place web site
put the back car wheels on a scale
You want 4.0 oz on back wheels
hold the front of car on a screw driver to
hold in place to get a 1.0 oz. on front wheels go on the website.
FREE to see a pitucre of what I an talking about.
More than 4 on back wheels and the car is unstable.
Less than 4 and it wont be fast enough.
He has the best free sight outthere

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Hey all you PWD race fans,We had our pinewood derby last Sunday.I am Happy to let you all know that my sons car came in 1rst place. We all have good ideas, on how to build the PWD's but I think it all has to do with on where you put the weights and how your track is contructed. Is it alluminum or is it wood. How fast does it go down, the slope is it very steep. Last years car did very differently on a different track.