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Boost Pinewood Derby Car Speed with Proper Weights | Pinewood Pro

Learn the best weights and tips for enhancing your Pinewood Pro Derby car’s speed and performance.

Joe Gargiulo
December 10, 2017
Pinewood Pro Blog

Pinewood Derby Weights Make Your Car Fast!

Stick-On, Screw-On, Tungsten Round, Cube, Putty and Zinc Weights

You must add weight to your Pinewood Derby car to make it fast.  If you don't have enough weight, your car will not have enough inertia to reach the finish line.

Gravity is the force moving your car down the track. Therefore, the more your car weighs, the more inertia it has and the faster it will race to the finish line.

Pinewood Derby weights come in a variety of sizes, such as 3/8" round cylinder weights and 1/4" cube weights that can be hidden inside the car; stick-on weights that can be placed anywhere on your car instantly; or screw-on weights that are typically screwed to the bottom of your car.

Weights also come in a variety of materials, such as zinc, lead, and tungsten. These materials have different densities and costs. Lead is dense and inexpensive, but it is toxic, so we do not sell lead weights. Zinc is inexpensive and non-toxic, but it is not very dense so it takes up lots of space on your car, making it difficult to get the optimal center of gravity. Tungsten is non-toxic and 1.7 times denser than lead so it is a good choice, but it is expensive.

Advantages and More Information on Tungsten Weights

The maximum weight limit for a Pinewood Derby car is 5 ounces.

Plan on adding 2 to 3.5 oz of weight to your car, depending on your car design and the weight of your pine wood block. A chunky car design has more wood so it needs less weight. A thin, small car design has less wood so it needs more weight.

To get the exact weight you need, use stick-on weights, tungsten putty, or tungsten BB's to add small incremental weight anywhere on your car.

Consider purchasing your own scale to avoid last minute adjustments on race day. We offer a portable mini scale that's accurate to .005 ounces!


Flat Stick-On Flex Weights

One strip easily cuts to any length with scissors 

stick-on flex weights

Stick-on backing allows you to easily place these flat stick-on flex weights anywhere on your car. Just cut to any length with scissors, peel off the backing, and stick on.

Flex weights are a composite weight that is non-toxic and child-safe.

Approximately 3 oz total weight

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Cylinder Flex Weights

Two 5" cylinders can be easily cut to any length with scissors

cylinder flex weights cut with scissors

Hide cylinder flex weights inside your car. Just drill a 7/16" hole in the back, side, or bottom of your car.
Cut the cylinder to any length with a scissors to get exact weight placement.

Flex weights are a composite weight that is non-toxic and child-safe.

Approximately 3 oz total weight

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Tungsten Putty

Add weight on your car anywhere, at any time!

tungsten putty pinewood derby weights

Our special Tungsten putty formulation is soft and malleable so it can be changed into virtually any shape or broken off into pieces.

This putty will not harden. It is the best weight to easily and quickly add or subtract weight on the spot at weigh-in!

Tungsten putty is non-toxic and child-safe. There are no toxic materials in it.
Packaged in 1 oz pieces.

Learn more about the benefits of tungsten weights here.

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Tungsten Canopy

A cool way to add weight to your car!

tungsten 2.5 oz canopy weight

The Tungsten Canopy adds either 2.5 oz or 3.5 oz of weight while adding a sleek, decorative look at the same time.

The 2.5 oz canopy has a 3/8" diameter with a 1/2" mounting stud on the back. Just use a standard 3/8" drill bit, put glue on the backside and insert. Fast, easy and cool looking.

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The 3.5 oz canopy 1-1/8" wide x 1-1/2" long. The same installation instructions apply.

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Tungsten is non-toxic, child-safe, and is paintable.

Learn more about the benefits of tungsten weights here.
Packaged in 2.5 oz or 3.5 oz pieces.


2 Oz of Tungsten Cylinders

A graduated set of five 3/8" tungsten cylinders for precision weighting

tungsten 2oz pinewood derby weights

Total weight of all cylinders is 2 oz.
Three 0.5 oz cylinders, 7/16" long
One 0.3 oz cylinder
One 0.2 oz cylinder

Just use a 3/8" drill, insert them, and cover the hole with wood filler.

Tungsten is non-toxic and child-safe.
Learn more about the benefits of tungsten weights here
.


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3 Oz of Tungsten Cylinders

A set of eight 3/8" tungsten cylinders for precision weighting

tungsten 3 oz pinewood weights

Total weight of all cylinders is 3 oz.
Four 0.5 oz cylinders, 0.44"long
Two 0.3 oz cylinders, 0.27" long
Two 0.2 oz cylinders, 0.18" long

Just use a 3/8" drill, insert the weights into the hole, and cover the hole with wood filler.

Tungsten is non-toxic and child-safe.
Learn more about the benefits of tungsten weights here.

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Tungsten Spheres

Add small amounts of weight for ultra-precise weighting

tungsten sphere weights

1 oz bag of spheres (also known as BBs) allows you to bring your car to precisely the 5 oz limit by adding just the right amount of weight in very small increments.

Precise weight placement

Maximum car design flexibility

1 oz total weight
Learn more about the benefits of tungsten weights here.


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2 Oz of Tungsten 1/4" Cubes

Pack the exact amount of weight needed

tungsten sphere pinewood derby weights

Each tungsten cube is 1/4" on a side (0.25"x0.25"x0.25") and weighs 0.167 oz (4.8g)

Cubes pack together perfectly, so you can create a square cavity in the back of your car and pack the exact amount of weight you need. Glue the cubes in place, then seal the area with wood putty for a nice, clean look.

Precise weight placement

Maximum car design flexibility

2 oz total weight
Learn more about the benefits of tungsten weights here


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Stick-On Zinc Weights

Two weight-segmented strips

stick-on pine car weights

Stick-on weights are easily applied anywhere on your car. Just peel off the backing and stick them on.
This set comes in 18 convenient segments so you can apply the exact weight you need.

Approximately 2 oz total weight

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Screw-On Tapered Zinc Weights

Perfect for race-day fine tuning

pinewood derby screw-on zinc weights

Adjustments are easy, just cut off a segment, even on race day!

Attach weight to bottom or counter-sink under the car. Screws included.

Approximately 2 oz, zinc.

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Zinc Brick - Snap onto Any LEGO® Part

Zinc Brick for cars built with LEGO® parts.

LEGO Derby zinc brick weight

Zinc Brick Weights for LEGO® Derby Cars
Each package includes 2 zinc bricks weighing 0.44 oz for a total of 0.88 oz

Easily snap your zinc brick anywhere on a car built with LEGO® parts. Move the weights to change your center of gravity so your car reaches maximum speed.

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Pinewood Derby Portable Mini-Scale

pinewood derby scale image

Don't be surprised at the weigh-in!
Weigh your pinewood derby car with this pocket sized, portable mini-scale during your car building stage. You can even slip it into your pocket and bring it with you on race day!

This scale is very precise, weighing up to 500g and highly accurate to within .001 oz

Bright blue backlit LCD is easy to read.
Remove protective cover to increase tray size. Perfect size to weigh your car block, wheels and axles.
2 AAA batteries included.
More info on Pinewood Derby Mini Scale


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Winning Tips and Hints

Pinewood Derby
Tips & Hints

Looking for a Pinewood Derby car design template? Select from over 30 of Pinewood Pro's award winning Pinewood Derby Car Designs. They include everything from race cars, to military cars, to a Nike sneaker!

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Wheels Tip

Lighter wheels turn easier (they require less inertia). Lighten your wheels, as much as your Rules allow, which will give you a fast start out of the gate and faster speed down the track.

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Winning Hint

Winning Pinewood Derby Secrets contains all the tips you need to win your race. Updated annually with the latest tips and speed products, our book has proven results with 1000s of winners... but don't take our word for it! Read over 100 customer reviews and check out our Winners Gallery!

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