Scouting check in

[waverly]

Posting this because I have a specific question regarding pine wood derby cars.   Last year was a disaster because we missed the workshop for the car cutting, and DH had a meltdown trying to get this car cut.  I think it might have involved buying a saw from Home Depot and returning it?  Not sure, but it wasn't pretty, and it was aggravated by the fact our boiler/ heat in our house was in and out for 2 weeks because it was so cold, and there was ice in the exhaust etc etc. So DH was already not in a good mental place.

There is free car cutting at the scout shop 2 Saturdays in a row, and also a workshop for the pack.  I would like to just do the very first car cutting because it is this Saturday and get it cut, to get DH more time to design it etc.  But what do I need to bring with me for them to cut it?  Do I need a picture of the car with dimensions or something like that?  Since I never been to one, I don't know, and I plan to handle this myself without his involvement because he would say no I'll do it and then act all nuts again.  Also, if it were the workshop for the pack he might be traveling that day for work anyway, so I would probably have to handle it anyway.  Last year I offered, and he said no and it was a disaster, so this year I might just tell DH as we are headed out the door oh hey we are going to scout shop to get a belt (which we need anyway) and not mention the car cutting.  I suppose I could ask DH to draw something up for me? 

Anyway you slice it (pun intended), I am having someone else do the cutting, so how do I direct them in how to make the cuts?  It were me, I would say cut a car ha I don't care.  But I think there might be more to it than that,  miranda , and auntie

[orval]

We had a car cutting for our pack. The boys drew in pencil directly on the car where to make the cuts. This makes it pretty easy for the cutter to know exactly what you want. They can just follow the pencil lines on the block. What design does your ds want? My ds did a lego brick, Jeep(put two blocks together for height), car with sparkly paint. Some other kids did a Hershey bar, pencil, just a race car shape.
You could also bring a drawing so they know what you are going for. All you needed in our pack was the wood block for cutting day. They also had sandpaper, hand sanders available to start the sanding process.

[waverly]

orval, Thanks. I was thinking of drawing on pencil. DH was thinking that they would just have the saw there at the shop, and then he would cut it himself, I guess. But there might be someone there to help. There is also a pack event, but I would prefer to just get the cuts going because there is not a lot of time. I think the workshop is the 10th or 12th and DH would likely be traveling for it anyway. So I would rather get it cut this Sat and then hand off to the boys to get it painted etc.


Good to know that if there are no sanders at the shop then there will be at the pack event. I don't think DS knows what shape he wants, so I will work with him on that today and tomorrow.

[orval]

waverly,I would think they would people there that know how to use the saws. I can't imagine expecting novices to use a band saw! Don't want people to lose their fingers!
I am sure there will be people to help with design too if you need it. Scout people are helpful! Some of our kids didn't have their design before they came to cut. It only takes a few minutes to draw it on the block.

[waverly]

Thanks. All I know is I want it to be different from last year and DH's mental breakdown. 99% of that had to do with losing heat in the house, but the pinewood derby car did not help.

[mightymaude]

DS draws a picture of what he wants, then we help him plan where the car gets cut. It's entirely his plan though--our involvement is mostly helping with imagining how certain cuts will transform the car. We have always been primarily hands-off, as DH hated the "Dad create/kid raced" cars of his own Cub Scout youth. He actually runs a Parent Race during the derby to help combat this problem within their own pack.

[waverly]

Great idea mightymaude. I think this was another one of DH's frustrations. DS was not helping much and didn't have the best attitude or wasn't grateful for DH's effort, and it was a lot of effort.

But DS was in 1st grade last year, and I think he can do more this year. Also I think DH doesn't always know how to coach him. I mean I wouldn't either, so I like the idea that he draws the car out.

[jessnpaul]

We had no car cutting for our pack. My FIL did all the cutting for my son (1st grade). We've pretty much had to Google everything!

We did get a list of rules but that was about it. We have a weigh in next Friday. My FIL put washers on the bottom of ours so that you can just screw them off if the car doesn't fit the weigh in. I hope ours is right. I feel like we got little-to-no direction and we're new to all this!

P.S. I don't know if I've ever posted in this group but my son has an IEP due to some physical limitations.

[miranda]

So, yes, if you want DS to be involved with cutting, allow him to draw on it. We cut our first car with a hacksaw! Not pretty, but it got the job done. The first year (DS was in first grade), DS's car malfunctioned and did horribly. We used electrical tape to secure the washers under the car and it came off on race day. DS had a massive meltdown at the race. The next year we were too stressed out to even think about it, so we asked Grandpa to step in and assist. That car ended up getting third place for speed. Then we discovered the precut wedges that you can buy at a scout store or most Michaels or JoAnns. They were a life saver! Our pack doesn't have rules about using precut cars. Lots of kids use car kits where the car is shaped like a racecar already and then just paint it.


DS came in first last year (out of almost 100 kids!). Our "secret" is using the very low-profile wedge, then adding tungsten weights to the rear of the car via drilled holes. Also we use graphite on the wheels (but don't otherwise modify the wheels or axles). We also use Modge Podge Dimensional Magic as a final "sealant". One year DS covered his car with YuGiOh stickers and the next it was Tom Brady. He could decorate it however he liked and then I added several coatings of the DM which levels itself out and creates a very smooth, aerodynamic finish. I take the car to my mail room to have it measured accurately.


Every pack seems to do it a little differently. Our pack is really into "creative" cars. It can be so unpredictable to get the fastest car. There are kids who 3D printed fancy exteriors, and another that was carved like a coffin with a Princess Leia doll inside.

[waverly]

Yeah I have no idea on speed. DS was consistently getting close to last place last year.

I was really pushing the car cutting, but then DH insisted like always to do it himself and he got the tools for it to come out well. DS created it, but it was more of the paint job than the cutting. Otherwise just looks like the same as last year, but they did bake the wood this year. Which I don't remember them doing last year. So anyway I think this weekend is painting. I offered to paint it at the workshop or put wheels on, but DH wants to do it all himself (well with DS kind of). But at least I made them start early enough that they have another weekend to paint and finish it up.