Building a Pinewood Derby car is a fantastic project that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and friendly competition. One of the most crucial steps in creating a winning car is shaping the wood block. Choosing the right Pinewood Derby Car Cutting Tools can make all the difference in achieving your desired design and ensuring your car is race-ready. This guide will walk you through the best options for cutting your Pinewood Derby car, focusing on accessibility and ease of use for builders of all skill levels.
Essential Pinewood Derby Car Cutting Tools
When it comes to shaping your Pinewood Derby car, several tools can get the job done. Let’s explore some of the most effective options, starting with the top recommendation and moving to readily available alternatives.
Band Saws: The Professional Choice
For those with access to more advanced equipment, a band saw is undoubtedly the ideal tool for cutting Pinewood Derby car blocks. Band saws offer precision and speed, allowing for clean and accurate cuts, whether you’re working with straight lines or intricate curves. Their stationary nature and continuous blade make them easier to control for complex shapes compared to handheld saws. However, band saws are not always readily available to the average home builder and are often more expensive.
Coping Saws: The Accessible and Versatile Option
If a band saw isn’t accessible, a coping saw is an excellent and affordable alternative. Coping saws are hand-held saws designed for cutting curves and intricate shapes in wood and other materials. They are particularly well-suited for Pinewood Derby cars because of their ability to navigate tight turns and create custom designs. While they require a bit more manual effort and control than a band saw, coping saws are readily available at most hardware stores and are very economical, making them a popular choice for Pinewood Derby enthusiasts.
Coping saws use thin blades which can sometimes be prone to drifting if you’re not careful. It’s important to pay close attention to your cut lines when using a coping saw to ensure accuracy. Interestingly, coping saws cut on the pull stroke, unlike many other saws that cut when you push. This pull-cutting action helps to prevent the thin blade from buckling and provides better control.
Other Useful Saws
While band saws and coping saws are the primary tools for shaping your car, other saws can be helpful in specific situations:
- Keyhole or Compass Saw: For cutting straight lines, especially if you find a coping saw challenging for straight cuts, a keyhole saw or compass saw can be a good alternative. These saws are designed for making straight cuts and can provide more stability than a coping saw when working on linear sections of your car design.
Preparing Your Pinewood Derby Car Block for Cutting
Before you start cutting, planning your car’s design and preparing your wood block is crucial. This will ensure accurate cuts and help you visualize the final product.
Designing Your Car and Creating a Template
Begin by sketching out your Pinewood Derby car design on paper. Experiment with different shapes until you find one you like. Remember to keep the design within the regulations of your race, particularly regarding dimensions and weight.
Once you’ve finalized your design, create a template. Start by tracing the outline of your Pinewood Derby block onto a piece of paper. Make sure the axle holes are facing upwards and mark their positions on the paper. Then, draw your car design inside this block outline, ensuring that your design remains at least 1/4 inch away from the axle holes. This clearance is important for maintaining the structural integrity around the axles.
Carefully cut out your paper car outline – this is your template.
Transferring the Template to the Block
Place your paper template on one side of the Pinewood Derby block. Align the axle hole markings on the template with the actual axle holes on the block. Trace around the edge of the paper template onto the wood block with a pencil.
Next, flip the paper template over and place it on the other side of the block. Ensure the front of the car remains at the same end of the block for both sides to maintain symmetry. Trace the outline again. You should now have the outline of your car design traced on both sides of the wood block, ready for cutting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting with a Coping Saw
Now that you have your design transferred, let’s get to cutting with a coping saw.
Starting the Cut
To begin a cut, position the coping saw blade on the marked line where it meets the edge of the wood block. Hold the saw at a 90-degree angle to the block, ensuring it will cut through both sides of the block evenly. Push the saw away from you to create a small groove in the wood – this is your starting point. Lift the saw, bring it back towards you, and place the blade in the groove you just made.
Sawing Techniques
Begin sawing by using push and pull strokes in a back-and-forth motion. Apply gentle pressure on the blade, but avoid bending it. Focus on keeping the blade aligned with the traced line on both sides of the wood block.
If the blade starts to veer away from your intended line, gently twist the handle of the saw to guide it back on course. Remember, coping saws are designed for curves, so take your time and make gradual adjustments as needed.
Tips for Smooth Cutting
- Starting Assistance: It can be challenging to start a cut, especially at a steep angle. Use a file or rasp to create a small notch or bevel along your cut line to make it easier for the saw blade to bite into the wood.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Using a coping saw effectively requires practice. Before cutting your actual Pinewood Derby block, practice on a piece of scrap wood to get a feel for the saw and develop your technique.
- Secure Your Work: Clamping the Pinewood Derby block to your work surface is highly recommended. Position the block so that the section you are cutting hangs slightly over the edge of the surface. This allows for cleaner cuts and better control.
- Start Gently, Increase Stroke Length: Begin with short, gentle strokes to establish the cut. Once the saw is a quarter-inch or so into the wood, you can lengthen your strokes.
- Go Slow and Steady: Patience is key. Cut slowly and deliberately, constantly monitoring your progress to ensure you are staying on the line. If the cut starts to wander, try starting from the opposite side or approaching the cut from a different angle to correct it.
- Sharp Blades are Essential: Ensure your saw blade is sharp and in good condition. Dull or damaged blades will make cutting much harder and less precise.
By choosing the right pinewood derby car cutting tools and following these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to shaping a fast and visually appealing Pinewood Derby car. Whether you opt for the precision of a band saw or the versatility of a coping saw, remember that careful planning and patient execution are the keys to success. For high-quality coping saws and other Pinewood Derby supplies, visit our Tools Page.
