How to Install Wheels on a Pinewood Derby Car
- 1). Straighten the axles using a small hammer and an anvil, and then file off the burr and the stamp marks (from the manufacturing process) that run around the nail near the head.
- 2). File a 1/4-inch groove located 3/16 of an inch from the head of the axles to reduce the friction between the wheel and the axle. Grooves can be cut into the axles using a lathe.
- 3). Polish the axles of your car with polishing compound and fine-grit sandpaper. You can purchase the compound from most auto parts shops. Polish the axles until they shine with a mirror-like finish.
- 4). Dry the axles completely using a lint-free cloth and then apply graphite to the axles. To apply the graphite, take a graphite pencil and press the lead firmly to the polished axle. Rotate the axle along the pencil led to spread the graphite evenly.
- 5). Sand the wheels on a grinder to round out the wheel shape and remove excess material from the manufacturing process. To sand the wheels, place all four wheels onto a nail and then sand them all together until they spin in unison. Mount the wheels onto the axles for installing to the body of the car.
- 6). Mount the axles into the slots of the derby car body. Axles should be placed at a 90-degree angle from the side of the car; check the angles with a carpenter's square and make adjustments where needed.
- 7). Glue the axles into place with cyanoacrylate glue to prevent the wheels from falling off during the race.
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