The workings of a base

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

I have researched and researched the net on how to tweek bases with alot of success. I have tweeked my fair share but recently I started thinking about the workings of a base. What are the front pegs for? What do the back pegs do? Which pegs controll the direction or do both? Is eight pegs better than four? Does the color and hardness of the pegs matter? If these questions could be answered it can maybe make me or anybody else a better tweeker of bases. Thanks!

Here's my take on bases... more specifically on prongs. The prong acts like the shock absorber on a car. The idea behind a shock absorder is to dampen the effects of road conditions and keep all four wheels on the pavement. With that in mind, the more effectively a base can absord board vibrations (road conditions) the better the base.

As for direction some people believe that the front prongs steer and the rear prongs drive. I do not believe this to be true. Again using the car analogy the base is 4 wheel drive. All prongs are responsible for direction.

In most cases for a speed base you are typically looking at a reduced contact area. Where the prong meets the game board. And the opposite to create a base that has good strength.

I hope this helps.

[WEIRDWOLF]

I know that for steering, at least in my tweaking experiences, If a base out of the bag runs right and I want the base to run straight, I will gently pull the front prong on the right to lengthen it slightly. Usually the result is straight. If I pull it too long then the base will turn left at which point I will then lengthen the left one slightly. It's easy to learn by experimenting and always only making one change at a time. Tweak, then test, then tweak, then test etc....and take notes so that you remember what you did.

Strength is still somewhat a mystery to me because I can duplicate what I see on bases that I have gotten from the Tweak Masters but I am never quite as strong as what they have sent me. I am getting better though and it may come down to needing a new pair of pliers with more squeeze abiltiy.

Speed is usually a result of using my lighter and flashing the prongs.

These are just my observations and they may be completely different from anothers.