Customer Reviews

Pinewood Derby Weights - Tungsten 3oz

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Proper weight distribution is a part of the puzzle in producing a winning pinewood derby car. The use of a dense material allows you to concentrate the weight in the proper position. The exact position depends on if you are using a wood or metal track. Metal tracks allow weights to be further back in the car to allow for more stored potential energy on the downhill run.

Weights too far back on a wood track can lead to a car that jumps the track with the slightest sign of uneven surface.

I have read that the car never achieves a velocity where air resistance is a problem. Still I have never seen a block pinewood derby car do very well.

We used these tungsten weights for my son's car and along with a lot of prep on the wheels, we were able to win first in our division at the district races.

The weights are 3/8 inch wide and about 1/2 tall. They fit tightly in a hole drilled with a 3/8 inch bit. If you don't drill all the way through the car body, you don't have to putty the other side of the car.

I would use tungsten putty to get the car to the maximum weight. I drill a hole in the bottom of the car and remove weight till the car qualifies. The best weight for a car is not 5 ounces it is 5.0499 ounces.

Whatever you do make sure your son is involved. The competition is about spending time with your son creating a car. If you get quality time with your son this is the most important part of the project.

Good Luck

I had a low profile/low wood content car design, so I needed weights to fit in the back of my car. The tungsten version (vs. lead) allows for a more compact weight. They fit great, and I used all 6 pieces on one car (an "I-beam" type of design).