Cub Scout chapters hold a type of miniature car racing event called the Pinewood Derby.The cars are easy to drive.They are typically made out of a block of pine, which has 4 plastic wheels held in place by 4 metal nails that act as axles.There are many ways to personalize your car for the Pinewood Derby.One way to remove burrs and imperfections from your car's mold is to polish the nails.It is possible to give your Pinewood Derby nails a shiny chrome-like appearance by polishing them.
Step 1: The top half of the electric drill should be sticking out if you secure a nail in it.
Remove the drill's chuck to slip the nail into it.The top end of the nail is left exposed when you slide it into the chuck.The nail is in place if you tighten the chuck all the way.Make sure you only use straight nails for your axles.If you watch the nail spin, you can double-check this.You should replace it if it looks wobbly.The nails are 1 in long and 0 in diameter.The bottom half of the nail is inside the car's wood block, so you don't need to polish it.
Step 2: Attach the drill to a table vise.
The vise's jaws should be open to slide the drill in.Hold the drill upside-down between the jaws of the vise and tighten them to hold it in place.If you are a kid, have an adult help you with this part to make sure everything is safe and secure.A friend or family member could hold the drill for you if you don't have a table vise.
Step 3: Use a mini file to file the top of the nail.
If you are working alone or have a helpers hold the drill down, tape the power button down.Hold a mini file in both hands and move it against the top of the nail.The head of the nail is where your car's wheel spins.You can use any mini file that is 4 in (0.64 cm) wide or smaller.A flat jeweler's file is great.You only need to do this for a short time.It is possible to remove too much material from the nail if you do it too long.You should wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes.
Step 4: There is a strip of fine-grit sandpaper in the water.
Use very fine-grit sandpaper for this.If you want to get it wet, fill the cup with water and dip the strip of paper in it.You can either buy pre-cut strips of sandpaper or cut them yourself with scissors.
Step 5: The spinning nail needs to be held against the sandpaper for 15 seconds.
The end of the strip of sandpaper should be in each hand.Pull the nail away from the middle of the strip if you hold it there for 15 seconds.As you hold the nail against the sandpaper, you can move it side-to-side.It doesn't get ripped out of your hands if you have a tight grip on both ends.
Step 6: If you want to repeat the process, go to fine-grit sandpaper.
To make your cup of water moist, dip a strip of sandpaper into it.Hold it against the nail and move it side to side for 15 seconds.You can use something like 600 or 800-grit next if you start with 400.You can repeat this process until you are happy with how smooth the nail is or you run out of sandpaper.
Step 7: Put a polishing compound on a strip of cotton.
Any type of compound will work.The strip of cotton has a bead of the polishing compound on it.You can use an old T-shirt or cotton cloth to make some cotton strips that are about 15 cm long.
Step 8: For 15 seconds, move the cloth strip back and forth against the spinning nail.
The polishing compound is against the spinning nail.Pull it slowly back and forth across the nail to apply the polish.If you apply the polish correctly, you will see a dark form on the cloth.Try again and press harder.The best way to apply the polish well is to hold the side of the cloth with thepolish against the nail and pull it back and forth.
Step 9: For 15 seconds, rub a cotton strip against the nail.
Press the center of the strip of cotton against the spinning nail.If you want to shine the nail, pull the strip back and forth across it for 15 seconds.After stopping the drill, you can inspect the nail.If you see any leftover polish on the nail, you can buff it for 15 seconds.
Step 10: The process should be repeated for the remaining nails.
The first polished nail should be removed from the drill.At the beginning of the polishing process, put another nail in the drill.Sand, and apply polishing compound to the remaining nails.Make sure that each nail is straight before polishing it.Your derby car will slow down no matter how much you polish it.