How To Build a Pinewood Derby Car/Glossary

AlignmentThe process of aligning the wheel vertically (camber angle) and parallel to the direction of travel (toe and steer angles). Axle Drilling Jig A precision tool used to drill axle holes into the car body at exact angles, ensuring consistent camber and proper alignment across all four wheels. Unlike a standard drill press, an axle drilling jig positions the holes at the precise height, spacing, and angle required for competitive racing setups including rail riding configurations. Using a jig eliminates the guesswork in achieving the three critical alignment parameters: rear wheel camber, fore/aft level, and side-to-side steer offset.Turbo Jig – Pinewood Derby Axle Drilling Jig https://www.turboderby.com/product-page/turbo-jig 2026-04-03 Turbo Derby LLC Axle SlotOne of two slots cut in the stock BSA kit block. Bevelingtapering the axle to reduce the contact area between the axle head and the outer wheel hub. BalancingWheel modification to achieve an equivalent mass distributed about the hub. BlockThe 7 x 1-3/4 x 1-1/4 pine block. Bore polishingPolishing the inner surface of the hub to reduce friction between the wheel and axle. BSABoy Scouts of America. ConingModification of the inside wheel hub to reduce hub-to-body friction. Center RailOn wood tracks, a lane guide that is approximately 1/4" inch tall and 1-5/8" wide that the car straddles to keep it on the track. DeburringAxles are essentially one-inch nails that have two burrs under the head from the stamping process. A typical axle treatment consists of removing these burrs followed by sanding and polishing. Dominant WheelThe front wheel that touches when the car is on a flat surface. In a raised front wheel configuration, this is the wheel that is not raised. Extended WheelbaseThe largest distance possible between the axles such that the wheels do net extend past the end of the block: 5-3/4" with the axle holes 5/8" from the end of the block. GraphiteA form of carbon that is found in pencil lead. It is one of the favored dry lubricants GroovingNotching of axles to reduce the contact area and thus the friction between the axle and the wheel. H TreadA wheel modification in which the tread is cut with a "H" cross-section to allow contact with the track surface on the inner and outer parts of the tread only. KitThe Official BSA "Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit" with block, 4 axles, 4 wheels and instructions. KrytoxA liquid synthetic lubricant (MSDS)., Krytox oils and greases are perfluoropolyether (PFPE) synththetic lubricants made by DuPont Light WheelsWheels that have been reduced in mass, typically by removal of material from the inner side of the wheel. Matched WheelsWheels taken from the same mold number. MoldThe plastic injection mold for pinewood derby wheels. Mold NumberThe number on the inside of a wheel, indicating the injection mold. MolyMolybdenum disulfide lubricant. Molybdenum disulfideMolybdenum disulfide is a dry lubricant similar to graphite. Nickel platingNickel plated axles can be polished to a smoother finish than stock zinc BSA axles. Notching or GroovingAxles can be notched or grooved to reduce the contact area and thus the friction between the axle and the wheel. NyoilA liquid synthetic lubricant (MSDS). thumb|200 px|right|Pinewood derby car "outlaw" wheels Outlaw WheelsThin wheels machined from a high-performance polymer such as delrin that are typically allowed only in open class races. Oversize AxlesOversize axle (e.g. 0.091 diameter) axles can reduce wheel wobble. Official BSA axles are 0.087 inch in diameter. Rail RidingAdjustment of the dominant front wheel alignment to induce a slight steer toward the track center rail to cause the car to hug the rail as it goes down the track. Raised WheelOne wheel (typically front) raised approximately 1/16 inch on the car body. This wheel is not in constant contact with the track and thus contributes less to the rotational inertia. SiliconeA polysiloxanes organic/inorganic polymer lubricant. thumb|right|250 px|Nickel-plated speed axle Speed AxlesNickel-plated aftermarket axles. TeflonThe trade name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer. Powdered Teflon is a common Derby car lubricant. V TreadA wheel modification in which the tread is cut with a "V" cross-section to allow a single radial point of contact with the track surface. WheelbaseThe spacing between the front and rear wheels from wheel center to wheel center. The standard pinewood derby wheelbase is about 4.5 inches and the extended wheelbase is 5.75 inches with the wheels 5/8 inch from the end of the 7 inch block.