Getting Started in Pinewood Derby

I had to help my 5 year old build a derby car. I’ve never done it before. I bought this book and building the fastest pinewood derby car. My son was able to help or perform almost every step. I can stress enough the need to apply graphite patiently in to the axle head and wheel hub, with a paint brush. Then break in the wheels- carefully spin them up to 15 min each wheel. Other key steps: removing the burs and sanding the axle; we also polished the inside of the hub with polish and graphite. Then sanded down the tip of the nail- the goal is for it to look like a shiny silver cone.I did not align the wheels or build a test track. I did not bend any of the axles.Still, all of this was enough for my kid to place first in 4 of his heats, and 2nd twice. He finished third overall and got a medal. These books were a big part of that. There’s a ton of you tube videos and websites but some of them contradict each other! So this book helped because it was more or less all in one book. Totally recommend.

Just came home from our Pinewood Derby: our twins won 1st and 3rd in their den and were among the fastest in the pack - in our first year.How did we do it? It all started with this book. It's a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide that even those of us who are less than handy can use. Easy steps, shopping lists, clear illustrations, and simple directions. it helped take what could have been a difficult project and make it a great time we had together as a family.Less than a month ago the boys were worried they might each be "the kid with the wooden block." Well, now they're the kids with the winning cars - and I cannot recommend this book more highly.(Troy, we'll be using your other books next year. Turns out now the twins' expectations are just a bit high.)

Heads up to the people who are looking to get the perfect car... this review won't be about that, because we don't have that experience. We're truly not trying to "beat everyone", we're wanting him to do the work, and succeed on his merits.We just finished Pinewood Derby here, and we ran into the classic problem: parents doing the work. We have an 8 year old, and were thrilled to *help* him, but reluctant to do it for him. He sometimes got a bit stumped at what he could do to improve it. We resorted to the internet to guide him a bit, but we frankly ran into the problem of him running out of time, and then being disappointed with the shortcuts he had to take to finish in time.The GREAT news is that he is proud that he did it himself, and is excited that he's going to have an opportunity to try again next year. I think it was so nebulous an event for a first timer. So, he's got this book now, and is thinking and getting ideas. Perfect! I do believe that we will buy a few blanks for the boys to have fun with, practice with, and feel accomplished with. On their own. And getting to try different ideas and see what happens when they change it? Perfect.

This book is a great starter book and how to guide for your Cub Scout!! My son loves Dash Derby and the book is easy to follow and written in an engaging and kid friendly manner. The steps in the book are easy to follow and there is even a place to add pictures and record your memories/race results. The only downside is that the templates in the back are slightly smaller than the BSA wood blocks. However, we traced a little outside the lines and my son had no troubles modifying it to meet his needs. Overall, I highly recommend this book especially for kids who are building a car for the first time!

The best book for your Cub Scout's first Pinewood Derby car. I love how it lays out the build in seven (kid friendly) steps. A Pack or Den could use the book for meetings and work on 1 step at each meeting, or if your scout does it on his own there is a beginning and an end for step. Thus eliminating frustrations and boredom.

This book seems like an abbreviated version of "Building the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car." It has some good material, but it is really a beginner's book that you likely either don't need or won't look at again.

We brought this to our Den workshop and everybody was looking at it and using the templates. Very easy to read and follow instructions. I initially felt the book was overpriced (still do) but at least it turned out to be helpful!

My son is new to scouting, and I wanted a book that would help him build his PInewood Derby car. I refused to become one of those dads that builds the car for the scout!This book is perfect. It is very easy to follow and lays things out in a step by step fashion that is easy for a seven year old to follow. The comic book/graphic novel format really helps keeps the interest.