It was in 1978-79 that I had to make a pinewood derby car for the first time.
Now, 33 years later, I had to make another pinewood derby car, this time for one of my children. Here is how I made it.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby02.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby03.jpg)
I used sandpaper to give the curve. I had a severe cramp in the arm afterward.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby04.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby05.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby06.jpg)
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I used manicure paints!
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby08.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby09.jpg)
Masking tape helps.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby10.jpg)
Making space for placing lead weight.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby11.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby12.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby13.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby14.jpg)
The black ink got smeared when I was applying the topcoat.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby15.jpg)
So I had to repaint the whole window area with thick black.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby16.jpg)
A custom-made box to keep the car.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby17.jpg)
The background images are from a magazine.
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby18.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby19.jpg)
![](http://soonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/derby20.jpg)
Overall, attaching the wheels was the trickiest part, and perhaps the most critical element for a successful race. My car had difficulty going straight and I still do not have a good idea of how the wheels should be attached and aligned. The car failed miserably in the race; it couldn’t even get to the finish line.