CNC Shark Forum

I was asked to design and build a "Pinewood Big Rig" truck for a competition next month. So here's the start of it. Made within the race parameters, I glued (3) 1x6 and and (2) 1x6. The larger half will be altered to add weight inside and lighten the front. The rules say it needs 18 Boy Scout pinewood wheels. I drilled for the wheels axles so they are all aligned.

This represents a lot of programming and about 3 1/2 hours of carving so far. I'll post updates here as more gets done. This is the right half.

Bill great job.You are whaling with Aspire I like the Design. Basecircle

I want to know the race results when completed. The design speakesfor itself, nice.

cool. fun making it I'm sure, and more fun racing it.

Finished the left side, polished the wheel axles. Now I need to weight it. Have to come in under 4 pounds. May have to hollow out the inside for a little weight add.

Thanks for your comments.

I read an article recently about how to get the best results with these type of vehicles. Putting as much weight as you can, as far back as you can is supposed to give a longer boost in the starting ramp. The idea was the weight being higher up, it pushes just a little longer. I don't know, sounded logical at the time.

Keith, I read the same thing, then I did the calculations. You do get a boost at the point of the transition from the inclined section of the track to the flat section. So that's why I went with this 3/5 2/5 split so I could hollow out the 3/5 side both in the front to take out a little weight and in the back to add some shot. The 3/5 side came in at 2.27 pounds. The total limit is 4 pounds. Will do another weigh in today to see where we are before the hollowing out now that the 2/5 side is carved.

That is beautiful work Bill.

Here's a little update. The sides are stained and lacquered. Pockets were added to the inside, the one in the front to lighten, the one in the back to add ballast. The net result to shift the center of gravity back. The weight limit is 4 pounds and this will put it at 3.90 lbs. Glue and paint will add some weight.

Last post on this until the race in two weeks. Painted the rest of the truck with automotive metalic dark gray. Got all the wheels well aligned and pressed to depth. We're also building a test track to try a few runs before the big day.