|
Post by mjpalm21 on Jan 28, 2008 9:53:07 GMT -6
I am looking for the best way to shave the inner wheel material of the standard BSA wheel. My district's rules now allow shaved wheels but only on the inner wheel. I know people use lathes to do this and I have seen lathes that look capable for around $500. I would like to know if there is a good technique for doing this without a lathe and I would also like to know about lathes that people have used with success.
|
|
|
Post by Lucky 13 on Jan 28, 2008 12:09:00 GMT -6
I am looking for the best way to shave the inner wheel material of the standard BSA wheel. My district's rules now allow shaved wheels but only on the inner wheel. I know people use lathes to do this and I have seen lathes that look capable for around $500. I would like to know if there is a good technique for doing this without a lathe and I would also like to know about lathes that people have used with success. I've heard of guys using a bench mounted drill and a razor blade to remove inside wheel material also a dremel tool with a sanding barrel. Never tried it myself, hopefully someone else will speak up. If you have any friends that work at a machine shop, now may be the time to hit them up for a favor ;D !! Lucky 13
|
|
|
Post by Derby Worx Pro Team on Jan 28, 2008 13:33:15 GMT -6
Wouldn't it be easier to just purchase a set that is already done?
|
|
|
Post by Lucky 13 on Jan 28, 2008 15:13:37 GMT -6
Wouldn't it be easier to just purchase a set that is already done? The problem is the outside of the wheel cannot be touched !! All the DerbyWorx wheels are lathe turned on the outside !! Any chance for a special order Bill ?? Lucky 13
|
|
Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
|
Post by Sappington R on Jan 28, 2008 15:33:44 GMT -6
MJ, I have had a lot of experience hollowing out the inner tread with ad-hock equipment (drill in vice, with exacto to be exact) Take my Advice: IT"S NOT WORTH THE TIME AND FRUSTRATION. It takes to long and the results will not be good. Your time will be better spent on other building steps like shaving with the ProShaver, and balancing with the wheel balance tool. Trust me, I know and have all of the tools- they are great!
Sure Derbyworx wants you to buy their wheels- it's their business (with all due respect), but I can see why you want to do it yourself- if my intuition is correct: Your rules probably state that the wheels must be the ones supplied in the box- right? It is definitely a dilemma. I can tell you from first hand experience that you can still win your pack with standard weight wheels if everything else is done correctly. District, however, will be a much, much, different story- I also can say that from personal experience. There will be fathers there that either bought wheels, or they are machinists and own lathe's, or they found a machinist to do it for them (all to stay within the rules).
One of our cars currently racing at WIRL and PWDR, Bondmobile, won cub pack last year, 1st out of 60. At district it came in around 51 out of 400+. Let's look at average times by track and compare them to the top district cars and draw some conclusions: Bond at WIRL 3.12, PWDR 3.06, District 3.08 (no changes in any races other than graphite added) The Top District Car last year averaged 2.95. What is the 2.95 car doing that the rest of us aren't? That's a pretty big delta don't you agree? BTW: Our district wheels last year stated that the wheels couldn't be lightened, if my memory is correct.
I would like to hear Racer X and other's opinion on using professionally done bought wheels at a district race. If others are doing it and it is OK at check-in then maybe it is OK. What do you guys REALLY think.
This is a very sticky ethical question and I'm sure there are varying opinions out there- let's here from the industry guys.
|
|
|
Post by Lucky 13 on Jan 28, 2008 19:18:57 GMT -6
I think you mis-read his post Sappington, he can't use the Pro-Wheel Shaver. No shaving of the outside of the wheel, just the inside !! I would suggest picking up a couple extra sets of wheels and giving one of the above methods a try and see how it goes. Even if you are only able to lighten them a little, it's still an advantage !!
Just my opinion on bought lightened wheels at District (or any other race). If there legal to have, go for it !! I would want my son to have every advantage that he could legally have. No sense in taking a knife to a gun fight !! If it's a matter of trying to 'sneak" them into the race, no way !! What would that teach my boys ? I watched 3 cars get DQed at our District race for having lightened wheels, talk about some upset kids !!
Lucky 13
|
|
Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
|
Post by Sappington R on Jan 28, 2008 20:19:39 GMT -6
Lucky 13, I have to tell you that I have the utmost respect for you and value your advice and opinions, and know for a fact that you are one of the best. As far as the shaver and local rules for mjpalm21: Let's see a copy of the rules. Maybe there is something there that we may see that he didn't see.
mj- if you could cut & paste them or send a link that would be great. We could all review them and help find a viable solution.
The question that I pose is a bigger one, and this thread probably isn't the best place to discuss it- so I'll circle back on it in the future at a more appropriate time. However, I would still like to hear from the industry experts on the topic if possible:
|
|
|
Post by Derby Worx Pro Team on Jan 28, 2008 22:54:07 GMT -6
Here is an opinion, sort of. I think it depends on the rules of the local organization. Some of the different rules we've seen are: 1. Only BSA wheels are to be used. 2. The only wheels that are to be used are the wheels supplied in the kit. Just those 2 statements mean something totally different and the second one is totally open, which kit....the one handed out to the scout, a kit you can purchase at the scout shop, or a wheel kit that you can purchase at the scout shop. The list of meanings could go on and without verification from a local official, a person could be shooting in the dark. There are a number of districts that allow some of the drastic wheel modifications, i.e. the hollowing out of the inner wheel. Without the availability of the "professionally prepared" wheels on the market today, only the scouts whose dad, grandfather, mom, etc. who has access to tooling found in a machine shop would be the only scouts that would be able to make those modifications effectively, not saying that this type of equipment is required but it sure does help. ;D Is it then fair that the scout team who might be capable of putting together a fine car but cannot accomplish the wheel modifications available, as outlined in their rules, have to just "grin and bear" the fact that other teams can produce the wheels? Or. Is it OK that they take the means necessary to "Compete" within the guidelines of their rules. It's really a choice of the scout team as to how they view the pinewood derby; It's just a kid's race, We want our team to win, We want to totally be responsible for completing the car as best we can within OUR Means and building skills, tools, etc.
|
|
Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
|
Post by Sappington R on Jan 29, 2008 8:27:49 GMT -6
Got it Lucky It's all good. Now you make me want me to go back and review our district rules- and at the least find a willing machinist. would still like to hear from others on this!
|
|