Home >> Hobbies >> Soap Box Derby

How to Build Stock Cars for Kids

The construction of a stock car for a derby is a parent-child activity with the child doing most of the work. The parent assists the child in sketching out how the car should look. You should draw the design at full scale in order to transfer the shape to the wood block later. Ready-made templates are available for purchase online and at hobby shops and home improvement centers. A basic car kit with wood block, axles and wheels is relatively inexpensive. Design your car in any number of ways, with the ultimate goal to make the car fast.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Coping saw
Small file
Sand paper
Drill bit
Electric drill
Tracing paper
Drill press
Paint
Decals and decorations

Instructions

- 1
  Trace the side profile of your design on the wood block and cut out the basic shape of your car with a saw. Use sand paper and files to smooth out the wood and to further shape your car.
- 2
  Prepare the block for wheel mount. Note that a longer wheelbase makes the car faster than shorter wheelbase cars. Set the wheel slots back at least half the diameter of the wheel or you can use a drill press to make the holes for the axle. Be sure that the position for the axle is net set too high. You do not want the block dragging and slowing the car down. Insert the axles in the slots to make sure they will fit. Do not permanently install the wheels and axles until you finish painting.
- 3
  Drill the wood block for installation of some weight. You can add weight to the outside of the car or install weight internally to avoid wind resistance. Either way, weight is essential to help increase the speed of the car.
- 4
  Paint and decorate the car as you planned earlier. Personalize the car to fit your style. When the paint has dried, install the axle and wheels and you are ready to test drive your car.

Soap Box Derby