Why is Tungsten the best pinewood derby weight?

Tungsten is the best pinewood derby weight because it is about 1.8 times denser than lead (a heavy metal) and 3 times denser than zinc.
To demonstrate, below is a picture of a .5 oz tungsten cylinder (top) and a three-segment zinc cylinder that is  .7oz.

The single tungsten cylinder on top weighs .5 oz and is 7/16" long.
The bottom zinc cylinders weigh .7 oz and are 1 5/8" long.

To determine the amount of weight you need, weigh your wheels, axles and car body AFTER it is cut and shaped. Then subtract that weight from 4.8oz. This is the rough amount of weight you need. This leaves .2oz for additional weight from paint or stickers. Once the car is completed, you can add small amounts of weight with tungsten putty or BB's to bring the car up to the maximum 5.0oz

What is Tungsten Putty Why Use it

Pinewood derby tungsten putty is a moldable material made from tungsten powder and a polymer binder. Tungsten putty will not harden under normal conditions, and has a density of 10 g/cm3.

Tungsten Putty is an easy way to fine tune the weight of your pinewood derby car. Made to be malleable, you can quickly and easily place the last bit of weight to any derby car. Pinewood derby tungsten putty can be used at home when building your car or brought to the track to help bring your car up to weight on race day.

Simply add the tungsten putty to any small crevice or hole. Our tungsten putty is very sticky and doesn't need glue or anything added to help keep the putty in position. It can be pulled, pinched, cut and formed into whatever shape you need.

How to Use Tungsten Putty And Advantages of Using

Pinewood derby tungsten putty can easily be used for final adjustments to the weight of pinewood derby cars. Simply pinch off a small piece of the tungsten putty, knead it until it's pliable, and press pinewood derby tungsten putty into any cavity or hole in the car.

Pinewood derby tungsten putty has many advantages:

• Pinewood derby tungsten putty saves you time because you can easily add just the right amount without breaking off weights or having to worry about finging the right size weight you may need.
• Pinewood derby tungsten putty can be easily molded to any shape, so you can use it anywhere on your car, regardless of your design.
• Pinewood derby tungsten putty is nearly 2 times denser than lead, so it adds lots of weight in a very small area.
• Pinewood derby tungsten putty is very sticky, allowing it to stay on your car fairly well.
• Pinewood derby tungsten putty is child-safe, there are no toxic materials in it.