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Anyone build a soap box derby car before? Pics of our build.

Started by PocketThunder, July 08, 2011, 11:20:05 AM

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PocketThunder

July 08, 2011, 11:20:05 AM
My son is in cub scouts and there is a soap box derby race comming up in September.  I'd love to build a car but i'm not spending $455 for a kit + $110 for the wheels.  
http://www.soapboxracing.com/browse.cfm/4,91.html

Have any of you guys built cars and what did you use for wheels and axles?  Brakes?   :shruggy:

Paul
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

Tilar

#1
July 08, 2011, 03:54:15 PM
Damn, thats high.
Dave  

God must love stupid people; He made so many.


GordonGriggs

#2
July 08, 2011, 04:08:17 PM

I made one when I was about 11. But mine did not have a full body. I used old wheels off of a lawnmower that somone was throwing away. The lumber I got from the scrap pile of a construction site. I think the only thing I had to buy were the rods to make axle's out of, and a large bolt to hold the front steering board onto the 2x8 frame. I used a piece of rope to steer it wth. I did not have any brakes. If I got into trouble I just jumped off  :smilielol:.

Budnicks

#3
July 10, 2011, 02:32:35 PM
Many moons ago like 40+ we (my step father & I) made 1 out of a bunch aluminum angle bolted together & a sheet of 25 ga. for the body & floor, with simple go cart type shaft steering & cheapo spindles with 12" air filled wheels & tires off a stroller we got at a garage sale,  a home made wind screen & seat lever brakes like to old go carts, it was impressively fast, but wouldn't hold more than 80 or so pounds of driver...
"fill your library before you fill your garage"   Budnicks

PocketThunder

#4
August 28, 2011, 09:34:37 PM
The build is on baby!  This is what i spent 6 hours on this weekend.  We need brakes and a body and we are ready to race!

1.  The donor wheels. We had the scooter and i bought the bike of CL for $10.
2.  Square up the frame.  We used some 2-1/2" steel studs that i had.
3.  Thread the wheels on.  We took 1/2" pipe and put the nut from the wheel inside the end and welded it on.
4.  Making sure we have 36" wheelbase.   :2thumbs:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

PocketThunder

#5
August 28, 2011, 09:36:45 PM
1.  bolt the axle to the frame.
2.  bolt the steering rod on.
3.  more steering rod going on.
4.  drill the steering arm on to the handle bars of the donor bike.
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

PocketThunder

#6
August 28, 2011, 09:39:10 PM
Finished for now.  We need brakes and a body.  We took a couple test runs down the street and it tracks straight and steers nice and tight.  My daughter took it for a ride and turned to fast side to side and slipped off the side though and skinned her butt.  So a rod on the side of the seat goes on next.   :pity:

Paul
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

bakerhillpins

#7
August 28, 2011, 09:59:35 PM
That's lookin sweet!  :yesnod:  Great job on the seat of the pants design!  :2thumbs:

Just don't let the Mrs find out that ya almost killed one of the kids.  :icon_smile_wink:
One great wife (Life is good)
14 RAM 1500 5.7 Hemi Crew Cab (crap hauler)
69 Dodge Charger R/T, Q5, C6X, V1X, V88  (Life is WAY better)
96' VFR750 (Sweet)
Capt. Lyme Vol. Fire

"Inspiration is for amateurs - the rest of us just show up and get to work." -Chuck Close
"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.
Science flies you to the moon, Religion flies you into buildings.

Orange_Crush

#8
August 29, 2011, 08:35:41 AM
Probably too late, but here you go.

http://semo.craigslist.org/for/2569165488.html
I ain't got time for pain, the only pain I got time for is the pain i put on fools how don't know what time it is.

RallyeMike

#9
August 29, 2011, 09:37:33 AM
What a fun family project. Don't forget the seat belt!
1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

PocketThunder

#10
August 29, 2011, 10:01:00 AM
Quote from: Orange_Crush on August 29, 2011, 08:35:41 AM
Probably too late, but here you go.

http://semo.craigslist.org/for/2569165488.html


Wow thats a good deal!  But then you are not building the car with your kid and thats the fun part.   I could buy it and take it all apart and put it back together though and paint it a different color.   :yesnod:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

PocketThunder

#11
August 29, 2011, 10:03:58 AM
Quote from: bakerhillpins on August 28, 2011, 09:59:35 PM
That's lookin sweet!  :yesnod:  Great job on the seat of the pants design!  :2thumbs:

Just don't let the Mrs find out that ya almost killed one of the kids.  :icon_smile_wink:
I think i could build another one in a fraction of the time now.  I might offer to some of the other cub scout parents to show up with the materials and we can crank a couple of them out in a few hours and have more kids racing on race day.   :drive:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

Budnicks

#12
August 29, 2011, 02:50:55 PM
Looks pretty good, Good to see the little ones, boy & girl out working on it, that's the real fun, spending quality build time with them...
"fill your library before you fill your garage"   Budnicks

PocketThunder

#13
August 29, 2011, 09:20:02 PM
Got the brakes done.  (well, just 'brake' done since there is only one)  Its a piece of 2x6 with two angles on the sides up to bolts in the frame.  I'll get a piece of rubber from an old bike tire screwed onto the bottom edge so it grabs the road well when the pedal is pushed down. 

Now we need to figure out how to build the body.   :scratchchin:   :scratchchin:

Paul
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

moparguy01

#14
August 30, 2011, 01:29:17 AM
Looking good. What are you after for the body? When I helped on a custom model t body we made a wood body buck to set our shape. 


PocketThunder

#15
August 30, 2011, 08:08:55 AM
Quote from: moparguy01 on August 30, 2011, 01:29:17 AM
Looking good. What are you after for the body? When I helped on a custom model t body we made a wood body buck to set our shape. 

In the interest of time i was thinking about wrapping it with sheetmetal from the side of the frame over to the other side and using some self tapping screws to hold it on.  Or i thought about wrapping it with chicken wire and having the kids paper mache a body for it.  More messy but probably more fun for them.  Either way i need to take a break on it for a couple days, the women in my house are starting to get upset about me being in the shop for hours and hours everyday not sharing Dad time with everyone equally.   :slap:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

GPULLER

#16
August 30, 2011, 08:32:01 AM
Quote from: PocketThunder on August 30, 2011, 08:08:55 AM
Quote from: moparguy01 on August 30, 2011, 01:29:17 AM
Looking good. What are you after for the body? When I helped on a custom model t body we made a wood body buck to set our shape. 

In the interest of time i was thinking about wrapping it with sheetmetal from the side of the frame over to the other side and using some self tapping screws to hold it on.  Or i thought about wrapping it with chicken wire and having the kids paper mache a body for it.  More messy but probably more fun for them.  Either way i need to take a break on it for a couple days, the women in my house are starting to get upset about me being in the shop for hours and hours everyday not sharing Dad time with everyone equally.   :slap:

Time for the girls of the house to come out to the garage and get their nails dirty!
Looking good, you have some sort of return spring on that brake?

PocketThunder

#17
August 30, 2011, 08:43:16 AM
Quote from: GPULLER on August 30, 2011, 08:32:01 AM
Quote from: PocketThunder on August 30, 2011, 08:08:55 AM
Quote from: moparguy01 on August 30, 2011, 01:29:17 AM
Looking good. What are you after for the body? When I helped on a custom model t body we made a wood body buck to set our shape. 

In the interest of time i was thinking about wrapping it with sheetmetal from the side of the frame over to the other side and using some self tapping screws to hold it on.  Or i thought about wrapping it with chicken wire and having the kids paper mache a body for it.  More messy but probably more fun for them.  Either way i need to take a break on it for a couple days, the women in my house are starting to get upset about me being in the shop for hours and hours everyday not sharing Dad time with everyone equally.   :slap:

Time for the girls of the house to come out to the garage and get their nails dirty!
Looking good, you have some sort of return spring on that brake?
A 69 Charger spring ofcourse!!!!  Its off an extra set of brake drums from my 69 C500.  So actually it a 69 Charger 500 spring!   :2thumbs:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

69rtse4spd

#18
August 30, 2011, 06:01:59 PM
Looks good, could use an old sandal or tennis shoe sole for a brake, old Chevy motors work to.  :smilielol:. What color will it be, FJ6, B7, EV2, you get my drift, win or lose its all about having fun & sportsmanship. :2thumbs:.

PocketThunder

#19
September 06, 2011, 05:29:16 PM
Finished the hand formed body yesterday.  Just need to slap a number on it and we're ready to race on Saturday. 

The sheet metal is from some old shelving stand that came with the house when i bought it.  I used a piece of vinyl hose slit down the long way to cover the sharp edge down the hood of the car.
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

69rtse4spd

#20
September 06, 2011, 05:33:33 PM
Looks good, nose cone the front, less drag & 43 would be nice.

FlatbackFanatic

#21
September 06, 2011, 06:48:59 PM
Great looking racer, Paul. You guys did a great job. When's the race?
Flatback Fanatic, Kurt  , MN

RallyeMike

#23
September 07, 2011, 12:23:00 AM
Building some great memories there. Looking forward to the full race report.
1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

64dartgt

#24
September 07, 2011, 08:20:49 AM
Where is the hemi orange paint?

PocketThunder

#25
September 07, 2011, 08:30:33 AM
Quote from: FlatbackFanatic on September 06, 2011, 06:48:59 PM
Great looking racer, Paul. You guys did a great job. When's the race?

This comming Saturday morning in Wayzata..   :2thumbs:


Quote from: 64dartgt on September 07, 2011, 08:20:49 AM
Where is the hemi orange paint?

Actually our cub scout pack number is 426.   :yesnod:  I'm thinking "Pack 426 hemi racing" would look good on the side somewhere..
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

moparstuart

#26
September 07, 2011, 09:52:16 AM
Quote from: PocketThunder on September 07, 2011, 08:30:33 AM
Quote from: FlatbackFanatic on September 06, 2011, 06:48:59 PM
Great looking racer, Paul. You guys did a great job. When's the race?

This comming Saturday morning in Wayzata..   :2thumbs:


Quote from: 64dartgt on September 07, 2011, 08:20:49 AM
Where is the hemi orange paint?

Actually our cub scout pack number is 426.   :yesnod:  I'm thinking "Pack 426 hemi racing" would look good on the side somewhere..
:2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE WE ARE ALL STOCKED UP HERE

PocketThunder

#27
September 10, 2011, 09:00:04 PM
Ok, we showed up today and unloaded our car and were ready to race.  We won the first heat, but lost the next two.  So we were done for the day.   There was no real perfect car that won everytime.  Some "official kit cars" were winning and losing to the handbuilt-odd shaped cars.  So i'm thinking the race is won in the wheel bearings.  Next year we'll have to spring for better wheels. 

The other dads did check out our car and they made comments about how cool the steering was and how they liked the rough-ness of the build.  I told them i built it out of what i had laying around the garage, rat-rod like.  So, we went home with a couple tears because we didnt win, but thats a part of being a kid and learning the lessons of life.  We will try a different car next year..  :yesnod:

Paul

Pic 1:  Lined up in the "pits"
Pic 2:  Drivers meeting
Pic 3:  First race, we beat that guy.
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

69_500

#28
September 11, 2011, 09:34:34 AM
paul do you think that if you had located the seat closer to the front it would have made a difference? Seems that most of the other cars have the seat in the middle if not offset to the front somewhat. Yours on the other hand seems to be just a tad back of the center of the car.

1970Moparmann

#29
September 11, 2011, 09:51:09 AM
That's cool...

At first I was thinking "Pine Wood Derby"....

Not you have to put an engine on it? :2thumbs:
My name is Mike and I'm a Moparholic!

Budnicks

#30
September 11, 2011, 12:30:31 PM
Looks like a fun day, kids must have had a blast.. What's the old saying "you can't win them all", I learned that lesson early when I was racing go-carts as a child, 1st couple of races got lapped, I remember I didn't  care for it much, learned to drive better, kind of made me the over competitive butthead I am now...LOL... Good luck next year...
"fill your library before you fill your garage"   Budnicks

FlatbackFanatic

#31
September 11, 2011, 01:33:28 PM
It was a nice day for a race, as long as everyone had fun.  :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
Flatback Fanatic, Kurt  , MN

PocketThunder

#32
September 11, 2011, 02:36:36 PM
Quote from: 69_500 on September 11, 2011, 09:34:34 AM
paul do you think that if you had located the seat closer to the front it would have made a difference? Seems that most of the other cars have the seat in the middle if not offset to the front somewhat. Yours on the other hand seems to be just a tad back of the center of the car.

Some cars were the kit cars you can buy with the stream lined bodies and the kids tucked inside.  Some cars were just a wooden box and they were fast as hell.  I dont know what the secret is yet, but we've got 6 more years to figure it out..   :icon_smile_big:   :yesnod:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."
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