Our new Pinewood Derby cars are finally complete, after about 1-1/2 months of work. I did the rough shaping and painting, but Kyle and Ian both picked out their designs, sanded their cars, put on stickers, and hammered on the wheels. They look pretty nice, now we just have to wait until February to see if they drive nice.
Left to right:
Skull Candy (Ian)
The Wolverine Wedge (Kyle)
The Green Streak (Me)
I just returned from five days of drift diving in West Palm Beach, Florida. Despite Hurricane Irene passing through in the middle of our trip, it was a great time and we completed a number of good dives.
The swimming pool and cabana at The Scuba Club in West Palm Beach
A view from our suite
Scott preps his gear for our second day of diving
View of The Scuba Club from the boat
Getting ready to head out for a dive. Hurricane, schmuricane.
Thursday morning. Hurricane Irene rolls by.
So we can't dive because of the hurricane. Hey, I know! Let's go to the beach! Here Darrick discusses swimming in a hurricane with the lifeguard.
The pelicans were loving it
It was nice knowing you, Darrick.
The morning after the hurricane passed
Time for more diving!
The diving group on our way back home. (L-R): Terry, Darrick, Laurie, Tom, Scott, and me
Pack 384 held the annual Pinewood Derby today at Oswego East High School. Dozens of cars were raced, and each car was run on all six lanes, so it was an all day event.
There were many, many cars being raced. Kyle's is third from the left in the front row on the foam, and mine is at the far left in the second row on the board with the other adult cars.
Kyle's car ready to race (far left lane)
The drivers eagerly await the start of the next race
Kyle's car squeaks in second (third lane from the left)
My car getting ready to race (second from right)
First place by a full length!
3 100ths of a second ahead of the next car
Kyle's car placed second among all the Tiger scouts. Here Kyle receives his trophy.
My car placed first among the adult cars.
The Winners!
For my pinewood derby car I drew the side and top profile freehand, traced it onto the car body, then cut it out with a jigsaw. I further shaped and smoothed it with my oscillating spindle sander and stationary belt sander, then hand sanded to get a perfectly smooth and regular contour.
My car body after shaping and sanding.
The bottom is hollowed out to allow space for weights.
I cut narrow strips of painters tape to mask the body
After staining, the taped lines show as the original pine color
The finished product
I made Kyle’s car a simple wedge design to allow him to do as much of the work as possible. I cut the shape on the table saw and rounded the corners on the router table. Kyle sanded it with my help, then I inserted weights and spray painted the car. Kyle decorated it with stickers and hammered in the wheels to finish the car.
