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How to Mount Pinewood Derby Car Wheels

Since the first pinewood derby in 1953, Cub Scouts around the world have made more than 100 million pinewood derby cars, according to the Boy Scouts of America's official pinewood derby web site. As millions of Cub Scouts have learned, wheel mounting is integral to building a race car that wins races. Reducing friction at the axles can decrease your racing time significantly. There are several methods you can use to make sure your wheels are prepared and installed for optimum speed on the race track.

Things You'll Need

Fine grit sandpaper
Drill and drill bits
Vise
Metal file
Scale
Powdered graphite or silicone lube
Non-resin glue

Instructions

- 1
  Sand the surface of the wheels with a fine grit sandpaper to reduce friction between the wheels and the track. You must use only approved wheels. Smooth the center hole where the axle sits with a drill bit that fits just inside.
- 2
  Inspect the under side of each axle head for a burr that is often created during production. To remove the bur and reduce friction, place each axle in a vise and use a file to file it smooth. Polish the axles with a fine sandpaper to further reduce friction.
- 3
  Slip the axles into the notches on the bottom of the car (once you have finished shaping, painting and adding weights to your car) and weigh it to make sure the weight is correct. To get maximum velocity, you want the weight to be as close to the regulation 5 ounces as possible. If your car is too light or too heavy, you can easily remove the wheels and adjust the weight.
- 4
  Remove the axles and insert some lube. Oil lube is prohibited in the pinewood derby but powdered graphite or silicone are allowed and help the wheels glide smoothly around the axles. Apply more lube to the axle head and along the axle where the wheel rotates.
- 5
  Insert the axles into the car as straight as possible, leaving a 1/8-inch gap between the car and the inside of the wheel. This will allow the wheel to move freely without wobbling. Use a small amount of non-resin glue on the underside of the car to keep the wheels in place. Make sure no glue gets on the part of the axle where the wheels spin. Once your wheels are mounted, you can add any desired decals and your car is ready to race.

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