Starting Box - Round 2

Preacher Wednesday, 6/26/2013

Hey it hasn't been a week after making the "Pancake Flipper" starting gate...that was suppose to eliminate any issues with the cars starting off at the same time. I noticed a problem after a few runs...First the pins were dropping straight down, thus allowing cars or trucks with higher front bumpers to leave the gate sooner. Sooooooo back to the drawing board. I checked out some Pinewood Derby starting gates and think I've found my solution. The gate is operated by the same "Nitro" button, but releases a hinged piece of wood holding wooden 1/4 inch pins that drop and fall forward thus allowing all cars regardless of their bumper height to leave at the same time. And it works great...and I really mean it this time. Check out the pictures below for a better understanding of my confusion. The parts were less than $8 dollars at Home Depot.

Had to notch out the starting ramp for the pins falling forward.

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

Side profile 1 gate in the up position

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

Side profile 2 gate in the down position

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

The drop gate is held in place by a magnet. I just glued a washer on the "Nitro" hole to make this work.

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

The magnet drilled and recessed in wood for flush fit.

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

Now I'm just waiting for Sunday's Big Race...this should be good!

Preacher


Discussion

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shadowracer 6/26/13

I like what you've done. Only thing I don't get is that the pancake flipper one seems to me (still) a perfect option.

It would seem to me, having not actually seen it working, that simply dropping the gate fast enough would eliminate any advantages by cars that sit higher. Is that not actually the case?

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Preacher 6/26/13

I like what you've done. Only thing I don't get is that the pancake flipper one seems to me (still) a perfect option.

It would seem to me, having not actually seen it working, that simply dropping the gate fast enough would eliminate any advantages by cars that sit higher. Is that not actually the case?


The Pancake flipper, worked fine, but for someone that is nitpicky like me it wasn't good enough. There were some cars that would have the advantage due to the height of the bumper. With is new starting gate, it is much faster...once the magnet releases...Bam! The pins drop down and forward with a smooth rotating forward motion and no car can have the advantage with this method. The Pinewood derby has this science down...and now I can see the light.

Preacher

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redlinederby 6/27/13
Site manager

I understand the issue of the pins not falling just right...but looking at your photos, I can't tell if the hinged part springs back up or not? The spatula would "bend back" on its own, how does the hinged thing do that now?

Of course, you just attach the knob shaft to the hinged part and then put a spring around the shaft so it bounces back?? Maybe...dunno...looks right in my head

Or maybe the solution with keeping the flipper is to just move the shaft closer to the end of the flipper so the result is the pins moving less straight down.

Great reporting, Preacher. It's great to see this project evolve.

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Preacher 6/27/13

I understand the issue of the pins not falling just right...but looking at your photos, I can't tell if the hinged part springs back up or not? The spatula would "bend back" on its own, how does the hinged thing do that now?

Of course, you just attach the knob shaft to the hinged part and then put a spring around the shaft so it bounces back?? Maybe...dunno...looks right in my head

Or maybe the solution with keeping the flipper is to just move the shaft closer to the end of the flipper so the result is the pins moving less straight down.

Great reporting, Preacher. It's great to see this project evolve.

The release gate is free swinging...which means once its released it falls away, and needs to be gently pushed back into place where the magnet hold it for the next race. Depending on what you are using for a table or stand, the gate only needs to drop just below the track surface. If you will notice, I added a piece of velcro on the bottom of the gate when it drops it has sort of a cushion as it comes in contact with the table top. But I can honestly say, this is the best system by far...the cars leave the gate at the same time, every time.

Preacher

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redlinederby 6/28/13
Site manager

Magnets. Duh.

Could probably attach a string or something to the hinged part too so it doesn't drop too far, just as a convenience.

Lots of ideas with this whole project...I can see several variations on your themes for a quick-n-easy build.

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Preacher 6/28/13

Magnets. Duh.

Could probably attach a string or something to the hinged part too so it doesn't drop too far, just as a convenience.

Lots of ideas with this whole project...I can see several variations on your themes for a quick-n-easy build.

Yeah...your right. But for my simple brain, this is all I could come up with...for now at least. I like things that are simple, and yet practical...and this seems to fit the bill. Now when Sunday comes we will see how it works for the race!

Preacher

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model40fan 6/28/13

AS FAR AS MATERIALS, WE USED TO REPLACE THE "PAN" INSIDE A MODEL A OOGAH HORN WITH STOVE PIPE, IT IS SPRING STEEL, TIN SNIP A STRIP AND CLAMP IT IN A VISE OR VISE-GRIP IT TO A HANDRAIL FOR TESTING... THE STUFF LASTS.
YOU SHOULD FIND A 6" X 4" SECTION FOR FREE AT A STOVE SHOP...LET US KNOW

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Preacher 6/28/13

The 3/4 inch wood that I'm using gives the drop gate the extra weight needed so when the magnet releases it falls away quickly. Plus it was just something I had at the house to use and didn't have to buy.

Preacher

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