Cub Scout Space Derby

Idaho Jarhead

Idaho Jarhead

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
1,415
Hey All,

Junior has a Cub Scout Space Derby this weekend. Always the procrastinators, WE just now finishing shaping and sanding this thing.

I really hate these scout derbies! The point is to do something constructive, exciting, educational, and competitive with your boy. Unfortunately, if the boy takes the lead on this project he will not do well in the second half of the project which is the race and the design competition. I have never been to one of these things and left without SOMEBODY in tears!

Rant Off!

Anyways, it has been a few years since I have done a space derby. Anyone have any pointers or secrets you would like to share with me? Anyone know how thin I can make the walls before they start getting weak?
 
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Well, as a former cub scout leader and dad, we did our share of space derbies.

I actually built a nice track for our pack before we left, as we were always borrowing another pack's track.

Anyways, you can remove quite a bit of material and still remain strong. I never went any thinner than 3/8" to 1/4", but that is up to you. Do not leave it too thin in the back, where the little plastic nub sits holding the wound-up rubber band. I also left some beef where the mount sits on top. I used a regular wood glue for gluing it together, and gluing in the mount, but don't let the glue make beads inside the tube, as the bands could catch on them.

But in my opinion, the trick to making a fast flier is two things. The first is the proper install of the propellor assembly. Make sure to use the plastic tube liner thingy, and that the propellor is installed the right way. There are two distinct sides to the propellor holes, so make sure the rounded over side is making contact with the nose cone. I can't recall how many of these things I saw that were not installed properly. Also, make sure the propellor shaft is not bent, otherwise the prop will not spin smoothly.

They also recommend soaking the rubber bands in a solution like mineral oil or similar, as when the bands are wound tightly, they sometimes stick to themselves. I also think there is something to be said for being selective about the size of the bands, as they vary. We always went for the smaller ones, as we felt they wound tighter and provided more takeoff power.

You probably knew all these things already, but these were things we did. My son and I had alot of fun at this and other scouting events. All too soon, they find that stuff "lame", so enjoy it while they are that age.

Good luck!

Glenn
 
Forty years or so ago, I actually won first place in the Space Derby! (Or rather, my father did.) He sprayed the propeller assembly with teflon spray (which was new at the time.)
 
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