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Post by Gravitycraftsman on Jul 26, 2008 22:11:30 GMT -6
I guess that didn't work..new to the photo bucket thing
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Post by Gravitycraftsman on Jul 26, 2008 22:16:31 GMT -6
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Post by Gravitycraftsman on Jul 26, 2008 22:17:45 GMT -6
There we go...
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khouse
Head in the Pine
Posts: 199
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Post by khouse on Aug 3, 2008 16:49:36 GMT -6
Now all you need to do is make two wooden rails to align the block with the wheel. Clamp them to your table and slide your block between them. That's better than how I do it. I'll have to make a jig too!
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Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
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Post by Sappington R on Aug 4, 2008 8:14:58 GMT -6
Khouse, I've perfected the the "K-house groove". I've done it so many times now. I've made jigs and blocks and modified vices and clamps and I have to tell you that after it's all said and done.... I went back to putting the axle in the Derbyworx axle press with squeezing together my left hand (no clamp) and lowered the dremel with cut-off wheel to the head with my right hand with light/medium pressure (again- no jigs or fancy set-up) and my "K-groove" turned out as good if not better than with all of the other methods! and was alot faster to complete. Here's a tip: When cutting the "K-groove" or better yet the "KG" (does anyone know if that abbreviation is already taken in the PWD glossary of terms? if so, please forgive me). Consider aligning the dremel wheel with the seam between the two half's of the Axle Press. It will give you somewhat of a straight edge as a guide to assure that you get the "KG" mostly to the middle of the Axle Head. However, I must warn you that if you go to deep with the Dremel that you may get rough edges on the perimeter of the axle head- in which case additional sanding would be required and could quite possibly defeat the purpose of the time saving Sappington Technique ;D Seriously though, Khouse- I've said it before- I really believe this to be one of the greatest innovations in the sport over the past 6 months!! Long live the "K-groove"
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khouse
Head in the Pine
Posts: 199
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Post by khouse on Aug 4, 2008 8:27:26 GMT -6
Sappington, I got real good at it too. I just did it by hand also. I just barely touch the wheel to the head to see if I'm in the center. Then I plunge the wheel down right in the center of the head. This way the center is deeper. I stop just when the wheel gets to the outer edge of the head. The slot doesn't have to be exactly center either. I did so many at first I have enough for several cars. Now if I could just make my cars go a little faster!
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derbydominator
Head in the Pine
"Zero Gravity" PWDR Pro Modified
Posts: 146
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Post by derbydominator on Aug 4, 2008 11:27:03 GMT -6
Khouse,
I have to tell you that this is a wonderful idea and should dramatically reduce alignment time and frustration for one of the most frustrating and time consuming elements of the project. Exalts on the way!!!!! I can't wait to get home and test on a new car. I'm on vacation now and my wife would not let me bring the drill press, so I haven't been able to test the idea, but what about the following?
Secure the dremel with the cutting tool in a horizontal position in a vise directly under the drill press. Secure the axle in the drill press, line everything up and turn on the dremel. Then lower the drill with the axle onto the cutting tool. The drill press is not on of course. In this case, you have both the cutting tool and the axle in fixed, stable positions and you just lower the axle onto the cutting blade.
Sounds simple and it appears simple but not able to test yet. Thoughts anyone?
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Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
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Post by Sappington R on Aug 4, 2008 11:42:01 GMT -6
Derbydominator- what a great suggestion! You are both a dominator and a genius. I will have it tested out by dinner time! I'm thinking that I could use my drill press vice clamped to the drill press platform thing-a-mabob with the dremel tool extension hand piece clamped in it- might be a little easier to adjust- although making the conversion on the dremel tool does take an extra minute or two! I still think it's worth a try.
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khouse
Head in the Pine
Posts: 199
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Post by khouse on Aug 4, 2008 17:15:18 GMT -6
Sounds good to me! What ever way you get your groove on is fine!
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Post by Gravitycraftsman on Aug 13, 2008 22:12:58 GMT -6
I can feel the "K"GROOVE (KG) catching on!
I will be testing it along with Beaks Tapping at the BGN!
Dominator Nice Suggestion....!
I cuts are simple and I don;t have as much concern about the Dremel Wheel Breaking Off into my eye as the Nail in the Drill Press eliminates the need to "Eye Ball It" as they say that all other methods to date require!
Someone's who has more talent than I must come up with the Music and Words to the KGRoove!
All for now!
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khouse
Head in the Pine
Posts: 199
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Post by khouse on Aug 13, 2008 22:41:28 GMT -6
You guys are killing me! LOL.
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Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
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Post by Sappington R on Aug 15, 2008 7:07:26 GMT -6
Sorry K, this isn't the right place for my post but thought I would start it here because if feels right.
Is there a published list of PWD abbreviations, like glossary of terms anywhere?
If so I would like to officially add "K-Groove" or KG
Some of the others: RR, COM, CG, FDW- would love to see list or at lest a thread. Anyone?
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derbydominator
Head in the Pine
"Zero Gravity" PWDR Pro Modified
Posts: 146
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Post by derbydominator on Aug 15, 2008 12:45:15 GMT -6
Hey Gravity, I can't come up with the music as that might wreck this board but I did come up with the words. Two tag lines come to mind. I haven't put it together graphically but I see it as the line in black with the K in take and the house in K-House in red or just the Khouse in red to stand out. Take it to the house with the KHouse Groove !!! or Take it straight to the house with the KHouse Groove !!! I sorta like the second as it is an alignment modification, but both could work. I know, I know. This pinewood derby stuff is melting the brain. I was up until 3 am this morning putting "The Box" together to stymie the alignment modifications that the postal service keeps performing on the cars on the way to WIRL. You know you have gone overboard when you feel the need to take pictures of the packaging as you are putting it together just for instructional purposes. Steve and Jennifer, my apologies in advance!!! Maybe we all ought to use the KHouse Groove and just write on the registration form the clock time for the mark on each axle for each car. That way, modifications can be made when they arrive to re-align. No problem, right?!?!?!? Something tells me that everyone is laughing now except for Steve and Jennifer who are going to find ways to destroy "The Box". Just joking!
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Post by Gravitycraftsman on Aug 15, 2008 20:17:17 GMT -6
Hey Sapp and D-Dom:
We should create A PWD Officianado's Glossary or PWD_PRO_GL
D-Dom:
Love the first "Crack" at the "K-GROOVE".
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Post by Gravitycraftsman on Aug 15, 2008 20:22:35 GMT -6
D-Dom:
I revolutionary Idea to tranform Proxy PWD Racing.........if any race official can quickly tune the car to the builders specs.
I like the idea knowing "NEWMAN" and Friends at the Post Office could care less what's in the "BOX"!!!!!
Let me know when you want a "TEST DUMMY" ... Sapp...add that to the list "TD"=GC.
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Sappington R
Head in the Pine
"The Sappster" 10oz
Posts: 210
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Post by Sappington R on Apr 1, 2009 18:46:27 GMT -6
Hey Kenny, YOu will not believe this: Last week at our district race in St. Louis, one of the officials inspecting cars at check-in noted K-Grooves on the axle heads of a determined scout car and proclaimed that the axles were illegal. As a quick observer, I noted that multiple other builders had the exact same set-up The incredible thing is that one of the presiding officials said: "No, that car is ok, he's using a K-Groove" ;D
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khouse
Head in the Pine
Posts: 199
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Post by khouse on Apr 1, 2009 19:47:12 GMT -6
Your right. I don't believe it! I'm glad the cars all passed inspection. I'm glad that some people use it and it's working for them. I thought that a jeweler's saw might cut the groove too.
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Post by roosclan on Apr 1, 2009 22:55:39 GMT -6
I tried the K-Groove this year on my 3 boys' cars, and it definitely makes a world of difference in aligning! Last week was the easiest tuning session I've had. Thanks for coming up with it!
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khouse
Head in the Pine
Posts: 199
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Post by khouse on Aug 20, 2009 6:33:00 GMT -6
I see where Derby Monkey is now selling a kit to put a groove in your axle. He is selling a dremel type arbor and disc to cut the groove. I didn't think any money could be made on selling kits. Because most everyone already has the stuff to do it. Or buy it cheap. He doesn't call it the K-groove though. I'm not mad or anything. I consider it a compliment. I have in my head a few more derby tools that for now I'll keep to myself.
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psycaz
Addicted to Speed
Posts: 86
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Post by psycaz on Aug 20, 2009 9:29:07 GMT -6
I'll post a thanks to Khouse again. This makes tuning the easiest I have ever have tried.
I've only had one person mumble about it.
As soon as I explain that no axle is ever straight and it makes it easy to turn the axle to help alignment, they shake their head and say, "that makes a lot of sense.."
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