The Pinewood Pro-Hub Tool from Maximum Velocity is a precision instrument designed to enhance the performance of your pinewood derby car by optimizing its wheels. This guide will walk you through how to use the Pro-Hub Tool effectively.
The Pro-Hub Tool tackles three key wheel preparation procedures: hub squaring, hub coning, and bore reaming. Let’s break down each process:
Hub Squaring with the Pro-Hub Tool
Hub squaring ensures that the wheel hub is perfectly perpendicular to the wheel bore. This is crucial for accurate and consistent rotation, minimizing friction and maximizing speed. The Pro-Hub Tool simplifies this process, providing a precise and reliable way to square the hub. It also easily removes the raised ridge found on many BSA wheels.
Hub Coning with the Pro-Hub Tool
The inner hub of a pinewood derby wheel can sometimes rub against the car body, creating friction and slowing the car down. Hub coning involves shaping the inside of the wheel hub to reduce contact with the car body. The Pro-Hub Tool allows for accurate and controlled hub coning, minimizing this friction and improving performance.
Bore Reaming with the Pro-Hub Tool
Wheel bores, the holes in the center of the wheels, can sometimes be too small or inconsistent in size to fit properly on a wheel mandrel. The Pro-Hub Tool’s reaming function enlarges undersized bores and ensures consistency across all wheels, allowing for proper mounting and truing. This leads to smoother and more efficient wheel rotation.
Using the Pro-Hub Tool: A Step-by-Step Guide
While the original post doesn’t provide a detailed step-by-step guide, the included information suggests the following general process:
- Mount the wheel: Securely attach the pinewood derby wheel to the Pro-Hub Tool.
- Hub Squaring: Use the appropriate component of the tool with the included sandpaper to square the wheel hub.
- Hub Coning: Utilize the coning feature to carefully shape the inner hub, reducing friction against the car body.
- Bore Reaming: If necessary, use the reaming function to enlarge the wheel bore to the correct size for your wheel mandrel.
- Inspect and Repeat: Visually inspect the wheel and repeat any steps as needed to achieve optimal results. You can also spin the wheel on the tool to check for wobble, indicating an out-of-round wheel.
The Pro-Hub Tool is compatible with wheels from various pinewood derby kits, including BSA, Awana, and PineCar. It comes with 220 and 600 grit sandpaper to ensure a smooth finish. Remember to consult the official instructions included with the Pro-Hub Tool for detailed step-by-step guidance.
Conclusion
The Pinewood Pro-Hub Tool offers a comprehensive solution for preparing pinewood derby wheels. By addressing hub squaring, hub coning, and bore reaming, this tool ensures optimal wheel performance, contributing to a faster and smoother race. Properly utilizing the Pro-Hub Tool can significantly improve your chances of winning.
