Getting ready for the Pinewood Derby is an exciting time for Cub Scouts! Building a derby car is a fantastic project that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a little friendly competition. To make sure your Cub Scout has the best experience and builds a car they can be proud of, having the right tools is essential. Whether you’re setting up a workshop at home or organizing a pack build day, this guide will walk you through the must-have Cub Scouts Derby Cars Tools to ensure safety and success.
Setting Up Your Derby Car Workshop
Before diving into the tools, let’s consider where you’ll be building these amazing cars. There are a few great options for setting up a workshop:
- Parent’s Workshop: Do you or another parent in your den or pack have a home workshop? This can be an ideal space, especially if it’s equipped with woodworking tools. Coordinate with parents to see who has space and tools to share. If space is limited, create a schedule to ensure everyone gets workshop time without overcrowding.
- Pack Build Day with Volunteer Tools: Another excellent approach is to organize a pack build day. Ask parents if they have any of the necessary tools and are willing to bring them to a central location. This collaborative effort allows for simultaneous car building and fosters a sense of community.
- Local Scout Shop Build Days: Don’t forget to check with your local Scout Shop! Many Scout Shops host Pinewood Derby build days, providing tools and guidance. This can be a convenient option, especially for packs that are just starting out with the Pinewood Derby.
Essential Cub Scouts Derby Cars Tools for Building
Now, let’s get to the heart of it: the tools you’ll need. Remember, safety is paramount, and in Cub Scouting, only adults are permitted to use power tools. Adult supervision and proper safety gear are crucial whenever power tools are in use.
Here’s a comprehensive list of cub scouts derby cars tools to get you started:
Safety Gear (Essential for Everyone Near Power Tools):
- Safety Goggles: Protecting eyes is the number one priority. Ensure everyone working with or near power tools, including Cub Scouts and adults, wears safety goggles.
- Ear Protection: Power tools can be loud. Ear protection is vital for anyone in the vicinity of operating power tools to prevent hearing damage.
Power Tools (Adult Use Only):
- Band Saw or Scroll Saw: These saws are ideal for cutting out the basic shape of the Pinewood Derby car from the wood block. A band saw is great for straight and curved cuts, while a scroll saw excels at intricate designs. Adult use only.
- Dremel Rotary Tool: A Dremel or similar rotary tool with various attachments is incredibly versatile. It can be used for shaping, sanding, carving details, and fine-tuning the car’s body. Adult use only.
Hand Tools and Supplies (For Cub Scouts and Adults):
- Sandpaper (120, 220, 400 grit): Sandpaper is crucial for smoothing the car’s surface. Start with 120 grit for initial shaping, move to 220 grit for finer smoothing, and finish with 400 grit for a polished surface ready for painting. Make sure to have enough sandpaper to share.
- Small Hammers: Useful for gently tapping in weights or axles if needed. Small hammers are safer and easier for Cub Scouts to handle.
- Pinewood Derby Car Kit: You’ll need one kit for each Cub Scout. Consider having a couple of spare kits on hand for mistakes or extra practice. (Pinewood Derby Car Kit)
- Pinewood Derby Flat Weights: Weights are essential for maximizing your car’s speed by bringing it to the regulation weight. Flat weights are easy to attach to the bottom of the car. (Pinewood Derby flat weights)
- Small Phillips and Flathead Screwdrivers: These screwdrivers might be needed for adjusting weights or axles. Having enough to share will be helpful.
- Paint (High Gloss Acrylic, Various Colors): Let creativity shine with a variety of high gloss acrylic paints! Acrylic paint dries quickly and provides a durable, glossy finish.
- Small Paint Brushes: Provide one brush for each Cub Scout so they can personalize their car with paint.
- Jar of Water: Essential for rinsing paint brushes between colors and at the end of the painting session.
- Pinewood Derby Car Adjustment Tool: This specialized tool is designed for making fine adjustments to axles and wheels to optimize car performance. (Pinewood Derby Car Adjustment Tool)
- Small Digital Scale: A digital scale is necessary to ensure the car meets the weight regulations. Accurate weight is critical for speed and fair competition.
- Wood Glue: For securely attaching weights or other decorative elements to the car body.
- Tiger Handbook (Page 45): Refer to the Tiger Handbook, page 45, for Pinewood Derby guidelines and tips.
- Pencils: For sketching designs onto the wood block before cutting and shaping.
- Scissors: Useful for cutting sandpaper or decals.
- 6ft. Folding Tables and Folding Chairs: Provide a comfortable and organized workspace for building.
- First Aid Kit: Always have a first aid kit readily available for minor cuts or scrapes.
Safety First and Have Fun!
Building a Pinewood Derby car is a memorable experience for Cub Scouts. By having the right cub scouts derby cars tools and prioritizing safety, you can ensure a fun, productive, and rewarding project for everyone involved. Get those tools ready, unleash your creativity, and get ready to race!
