We’re partnering with the Youth Advocacy Program to present the “Demystifying Autism” Workshop. Our presenter, William Stillman is a nationally-known autism spectrum speaker and author. William has worked in the human services field since 1987. And he’s written several books on the topic of autism.
The workshop is August 12, from 9 AM- 4 PM. The workshop is designed to benefit professionals, parent, and individuals on the autistic spectrum.
For more information, contact Pastor Larry at Grace Church.
Here’s an interesting post from Tim Stevens, the Executive Pastor at Granger Church. I read this thinking two things. First, we’ve got a great youth pastor here at Grace. I’m so thankful that Pastor Jason is a part of our team. Secondly, I totally agree with his opinion that parents shouldn’t give their middle school children the option of going or not going to youth group. After you’re convinced that the youth program is excellent then make your student come. If the program is truly excellent, then your teen’s resistance will evaporate.
Before we get into the nuts-and-bolts if building your pine wood car, let’s remember the goal: The car and the race are just excuses for your and your child to spend time together. You’re making a relational investment in each other that will strength your family. You’re making a memory. The car you create should look like it was made in partnership between the parent and the child. You should absolutely provide help (and lots of help if your child is young), but please don’t take over.
It takes between four and six hours to build a race-worthy car. So give yourself a lot of time to build the car, broken out over several evenings.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1)Plan the shape of your car. Take some time to sketch out your design on a piece of paper. Or visit http://home.simplyweb.net/bosworth/template.htm to check out the template that this scout troop came up with. But remember, your car can’t be longer than 7” or wider than 2.75. (You can add wood to make the car as tall as you’d like). Use your imagination; you can shape your block to look like a car, a boat, a rocket, or a cartoon character. But the more complex your shape, the harder it will be to cut it out.
2)Gather Tools and Materials. You’ll need a car kit (available at the bookstore, a coping saw (or a scroll saw), a small file, tracing paper, sand paper or assorted grit, metal polish, weight (available at the bookstore), wood putty, wood primer, and finish paint.
3)Cutting the Basic Car Shape.Transfer your design that you created to the car. You can cut out your template, tape it to the pinewood and trace around it, or use carbon paper. Next use the coping saw to cut the shape from the wood. Consider using a vice to keep the block from sliding as you cut.
4)Wheel MountPreparation: The wood on the car kit has slots pre-cut for axles. Some car builders are convinced that more distance between axles makes for a faster car. You are welcome to cut your own axle slots to improve performance, just remember your car can only be 7” long. If your wheels stick out past 7” then the race won’t be allowed to race. I’d recommend this step for only the more experienced woodworkers.
5)Adding weight: Your finished wood block with the wheels, axle, and trim will weigh about 2.5 oz and your finished car is allowed to weigh 5 oz. Don’t skip adding weigh or your car won’t be competitive. The easiest way to add weight is to use the taper weights available at the book store. You can break off the weight you don’t need and fasten the remaining weight to the bottom of your car. Some car builders prefer to use a router or a drill to make holes in the thick part of the car. You can then fill through holes with bb’s or fishing sinkers, or zinc weights. Please don’t use lead due to safety concerns.
Add weight until your car is at about 4.5 oz. If you drilled holes, you’ll be adding the putty filler. The paint will add weight as well.
6)Seal the holes: If you drilled holes for the weights, seal them with wood putty. The wood putty takes a lot of time to dry, and you might need multiple applications. So budget time. If you are in a hurry, Bondo (a car body putty) works fast.
7)Sanding and Sealing: Sand the wood body to remove the blade marks as well as any small blemishes on the wood surface. Start by using 100 or 120 grits paper. Then use 220 grit paper to smother the sanding marks. Finally use 400 grit sandpaper to get an excellent finish. (IMPORTANT: Don’t wet-sand unpainted wood.)
Painting and Sealing: A bare wood surface will act like a sponge. If start out painting, it will take you several coats. Instead, apply a wood sanding sealer to the wood. Sand the primer coat with 400 grit sandpaper and then apply the paint. Use fast-drying enamels.
9)Wheel Work: Feel free to sand and polish the wheels. Make sure that there are no plastic burs that on the surface of the wheel that would slow the car down.
10)Axle Polishing: You have a choice of using the nails or the axles to fasten your wheels to the car. Use sand paper to remove any burs. Feel free to apply metal polish to make the surface of your axles smoother.
11)Lubrication: Use a graphite based lubricant. You can get a tube cheaply at Michaels. Avoid Petroleum products like motor oil, WD-40, CRC, and 3-in-1 oil as they have the potential to soften the plastic on your wheels over time.
12)Wheel Attachment. Carefully press your wheels in the axle slots. Keep them in place with glue or epoxy.
Check out www.JellyTelly.com. Phil is the creator of Veggie Tales. His latest venture is a web based way to bring the Bible to kids online. Check it out!
We’ve moved the Car Clinic back one week, to July 17. We want to be able to serve as many families as possible. And between the 4th and the holidays, I think we pushing the Clinic Back a week will help get the word out more effectively.
I’m hearing some positive reviews of Ed Young’s Kid CEO book. The book covers topics such as providing consistant and loving discipline, watching the family’s pace, and moniroing the entertainment options that enter the house.
We’re down to six kits. I had to order 25 more. I also ordered several taper weight sets to help you all get your cars to the required the 5 ozs. (You can go under…just not over.)
Hey gang, sorry I missed posting a podcast last week. Within a handful of days I did the Kids’ Retreat and the Staff Retreat. And then I needed to get home and attend to my very own “Home Team.”
Here’s the third podcast. This one is a little different. That skit we did last Home Team Night was pulled from a book I wrote a few years back. Here’s the soundtrack to the skit as created by the professional actors. Now, personally, I’m partial to the acting of David Case and Michael Silvis– but this will do fine.
