In this book, author Troy Thorne, a graphic arts designer and father of a Cub Scout, has joined that club with a detailed, clearly-illustrated step-by-step "how-to" and idea book for wannabee race winners and their parents. The designs are gorgeous and, in many cases, quite elaborate, with high wings, flame decals, wire exhaust pipes, windshields and slick paint jobs. Thorne also shows several performance-enhancing tricks such as adding weight and polishing wheels and axles. The book is written directly to the parent, with the expressed intention that all the tricks and techniques in the book should be shared with and taught to the Cub in a rewarding and bonding experience for both.
"The idea is to use the least amount of wood, with the most amount of weight in the back," Thorne says. LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - TROY Thorne has carved out a niche in cutting-edge race cars that fit in the palm of his hand.
Toolmonger wholeheartedly recommends Pinewood Derby Designs & Patterns to anyone looking to introduce their children to woodworking and the shop via building a 'Derby car. This book will serve as an excellent guide to the entire process, and will dramatically improve your chances of turning out a winning car - regardless of your past carving and woodworking experience.
Pinewood Derby Designs and Patterns: The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Coolest Car, by Troy Thorne, features 34 patterns with measured drawings. Here's a chance to let your kids make something fun in your shop. The book provides detailed instructions such as what size drill bits to use and how deep to drill. But what kid (or parent) doesn't want to build the fastest car? Tips, such as where to place weighted sinkers are included. It also covers painting and making decals.
Officially licensed by the Boy Scouts of America, this 118-page softcover (ISBN: 978-1-56523-341-6, $12.95) by Troy Thorne includes easy-to-follow steps for building various pinecar racers, patterns and designs, techniques for creating custom decals, applying a high-quality finish and helpful tips for preparing wheels, axles and weight for the race. For more information, call 1-800-457-9112 or e-mail Sales@ FoxChapelPublishing.com.
This complete guide will help you to create the coolest derby car in your troop! From Safety, Tools, Painting Supplies, to Adding Weight, Patterns, and Race Day Prep, you will be fully prepared for the big event! Color photos and diagramed patterns provide great visual help, too!
Pinewood Derby races are a classic childhood memory, an icon of American boyhood. They can be a challenge to a son's creativity—and to his dad's patience—making an incredible bonding experience for both of them. Dad dreams of the fastest car, while his son dreams of the coolest looking car. Excitement builds and plans start spinning as they wait to receive their Derby kit. For some, the excitement cools when they are faced with a small, plain block of light wood and tiny plastic wheels. What can be made from that? Troy Throne has written an awesome book that can tell you exactly what can be made from that! It's called Pinewood Derby Designs & Patterns: The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Coolest Car. The book is officially licensed by the Boy Scouts of America, and it offers so much more than a tutorial for Derby cars. The guide is written to the parents, providing them with everything they could possibly want to know from start to finish. I love that the introduction begins with a reminder of what the car creating process is really about. Safety and integrity are stressed throughout the book, with excellent suggestions and tips. I love that it is written at a level that anyone can understand, regardless of experience level. Detailed descriptions of the tools needed and how to use them are offered, with full-color photographs and very clear directions. At first, three basic designs are shared, with step-by-step instructions and a photograph for each step. Later, 31 amazing patterns are provided, with full-scale templates and even a page of decals. The amazingly detailed photographs and simple instructions make this guide very easy to follow. From preparation to Weigh-In, readers are given every detail in building, painting, and prepping their cars, even down to polishing the axles.
TM reader Brenda wrote to ask where she might find help with teaching her son to make a Pinewood Derby car. And it's a great question: Where does a parent who's not that handy turn to give their kids the full Pinewood Derby experience? I can think of one suggestion: Start with long-time Toolmonger reader (and friend) Troy Thorne's book Pinewood Derby Designs & Patterns. Troy is the creative director over at Fox Chapel publishing, and he's definitely a handy guy. By day he lays out awesome woodworking books. But he spends his nights in the shop, tweaking his home-built Cobra replica and building furniture and canoes. He knows a thing or two about Pinewood Derby cars, too. Designs & Patterns presents the whole building process from start to finish along with specific plans for a couple of hot-ticket cars.
