I am very pleased with how the track works, even without any rubber build up for traction. I had not thought about taping over the power taps. It would be for appearance only if I did. This is the same set up I used on my HO track and even the HO cars pass over the taps without no ill effects. The slots the taps sit in are only 1/8 inch wide, and the taps are even with or below the running surface. The cars don't even see them when they pass over.
5,051 October 27, 2011 10:37 am
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
5,052 October 26, 2011 5:33 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
So the big question; does the magnetic primer make a difference you can notice?.................................YES
Here's the test cars:
Scalextric A1 GP, pretty much stock.
Slot.It HRS chassis with a Strombecker Ford J body. This is a HEAVY magnet car (2 traction magnets).
My non-magnetic Ninco Porsche 997 ran well, but it was obvious there is no grip on the track yet. The car was very loose, even with the softest compound NSR tires. The Scalextric A1 GP ran similarly to an Aurora Magnetraction HO car. The car slid but it was very controllable, unlike a magnet car on plastic track where it will slide out until the magnet loses contact with the rail. At that point of lost contact to the steel rail on the track the car flies. It was more like the car had tires that were hooking up really well. The Slot.It HRS car would also slide, but not nearly as much. Just from the initial test laps it looks like this track is going to be much faster than I thought it would be.
Wiring is the next step. ---------------------Bill
5,053 October 26, 2011 5:08 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
IT RUNS !!!!!!!!!
Couldn't help myself. Had to hook up the power supply and try it out. Had good power all the way around, even without any jumper wires.
5,054 October 26, 2011 5:06 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Finished soldering the power taps and lap counter dead strip tonight.
5,055 October 25, 2011 6:03 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
It's taped!
5,056 October 24, 2011 8:08 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Well.................in my mind's eye anyway....................
5,057 October 24, 2011 6:31 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Thanks Rico....I can see 'em runnin' already!!!!
5,058 October 23, 2011 4:19 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Yes, it smooths it somewhat as it lays it down. After the tool lays it down you need to go back over it. I used a Bic type lighter like Luf says to burnish the tape.
I laid 336 feet of tape today. Two of the three lanes are taped.
5,059 October 23, 2011 12:31 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Track builders, if you use copper tape on your tracks and you have not picked up one of Luf's track taping tools, DO IT before you build your next track! This tool is amazing and simple! I wish I would have found it years ago! I just laid down 40 feet of tape in less than 5 minutes! If this tool cost 5 times what he sells them for I'd still buy it!!!! --------------------Bill
5,060 October 23, 2011 11:35 am
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Correct, the alligator clips connect to the tubing's edge or rim. The inside diameter of the tubing is 1/2 inch so no, the standard electrical type plugs or banana plugs will not fit. The hook ups will be alligator clips only.
Just finished making up all the L shaped pieces of copper rod to use as the conductors from the tape to the wiring, all 42 of them!
5,061 October 22, 2011 4:04 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Today I built the driver's stations/controller hook-ups. Photos 203 through 222 in the "Slot-Tech" section under "NEW track at TooBad Motorplex" show how I built the controller hook-ups. -----Bill
5,062 October 20, 2011 3:30 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Beau, This will be a no glue track. The other 1/32 routed tracks that I have raced on have had very good luck with rubber tires, and no glue once the track is rubber'd up. NSR makes rubber tires in various compounds, the two softer compounds work very well on wood routed tracks. Some of the softer Slot.It tires work well, and so do urethane tires, so there are a lot of tire choices for use without glue. I will probably discourage the use of silicone tires as they tend to remove the rubber build up from the track surface, which hurts the effectiveness of the softer rubber compound tires. if I were setting up a scratchbuilt 1/32 car, I'd go with the softest NSR tires (I've had very good luck with them on Monte's track). ---------------------Bill
5,063 October 19, 2011 8:51 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Thank you Beau. It's been a LONG process, but I have not been in any hurry. At this point I am pretty much on schedule for my goal to have it up and running by November 1 (that's 2011....for REAL!!!). I should be copper tapin' within the next week or so!!! I now have you on my official invitee list for the track break-in ceremony!!! ------------------Bill
5,064 October 17, 2011 6:33 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
I finished up the prep work for the power taps tonight. The track surface has been readied for all four power taps and the lap counter dead strip.
Here is what the completed dead strip area looks like with power tap provisions on either side:
5,065 October 16, 2011 9:48 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
I have updated the photos and description (152 through 202) of the build up of this track. If you are interested in seeing more of the process click on the "Slot-Tech" tab on the NASTE Home Page, and then look in the "NEW routed track at TooBad Motorplex" gallery. --------------------Bill
5,066 October 16, 2011 8:10 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
I'm not sure if I'm actually progressing????...............I don't have a Halloween car done.................. --------------Bill
5,067 October 16, 2011 5:27 pm
Re: New Track Under Construction at TooBad Motorplex in Fairview (178 replies, posted in Track)
Been "off track" or "side tracked" for awhile but back on it today. I started the work for the power taps today. With an 84 foot lap length I decided on power taps every 20 feet. In the early 80's I restored a 1/24 track built by Dave Smith of Salem. A friend of mine Hugh Ellsworth helped me with the track and designed this type of power tape for copper tape tracks. I have not seen any other style that to me works or looks better. This system is easy to install although it looks harder than it really is. Thanks again Hugh! -------------------Bill
First I lay out where the tape will be in relation to the guide slot.
Then I drill a hole on either side of the slot.
Using my Dremel mounted in a router base attachment I route from the hole up next to the guide slot where the copper tape will lay.
This is the "ditch" or recess I end up with from the hole up to approximately 1/8 inch from the guide slot.
I use a piece of copper plated welding rod with a bend in the top portion as the conductor between the copper tape and the power supply.
The copper rod extends through the hole below the track. The tape is laid below the horizontal bend in the rod so that when the rod is pulled down into the recess the tape is captured below the rod. I then apply solder to the rod and tape within the recess.
So today I got one power tap done, and the lap counter dead strip section.
5,068 October 10, 2011 4:40 pm
Re: NASTE for 2012 (17 replies, posted in NASTE)
Photos from NASTE 2012 race number 2. Thank you Dorothy!!!
http://www.facebook.com/l/rAQDr3GO_AQBh … ?start=all
And video:
5,069 October 9, 2011 8:02 am
Re: NASTE for 2012 (17 replies, posted in NASTE)
Monte & Victoria, Thank you again for another fantastic fun filled night of racing! Daine, Cailin, and I had a wonderful time! Cailin is pumped and ready to go to the NASTE Halloween Race! Our NASTE races have become top notch events, not just from a slot racing perspective, but just as much of a fun social event with friends where even new folks fit right in and can feel comfortable. I think what we have going on is very special, and I really enjoy being part of it. I have to give credit for our success to all of the NASTE host tracks and track owners!!!! Thank you all!!! --------------------Bill
5,070 October 3, 2011 7:01 am
Re: Penguin Point 1st Sunday- October (2 replies, posted in Penguin Point Raceway)
I'll echo that.....Thank You Monte & Victoria!
I had a great time as usual at your place!!! Great friends, great racing, & great food (well it sure smelled great anyway!)!!! -----------------------Bill
5,071 October 2, 2011 9:53 am
Re: Potential Classes for NASTE Racing (63 replies, posted in Cars)
Yes it is............
I'm bringing this thing out today to test on your track................
5,072 October 2, 2011 8:45 am
Re: Kilpatrick Ridge (17 replies, posted in Track)
I like the looks of the layout Drew. What radius are the tightest corners?
I tried to post a comment on your BLOG, but evidently I did something wrong. I did not see anything post? -----------------Bill
5,073 October 1, 2011 7:25 pm
Re: Potential Classes for NASTE Racing (63 replies, posted in Cars)
The chassis is done.
Finishing up the body mounts.........
She's a little porky at 124 + grams.............
5,074 September 29, 2011 6:43 pm
Re: Ninco Ferrari 360 GTC Pro Race Kit (5 replies, posted in Cars)
Monte's First Sunday is coming up in 3 days so it's back to work on the Ninco Ferrari.
Here's the completed repair with the .055" wire brace in place. I used JB Weld epoxy exclusively on this repair. We'll see how she holds up on Sunday.
5,075 September 26, 2011 8:57 pm
Re: Potential Classes for NASTE Racing (63 replies, posted in Cars)
Latest spy photos............................VWomp????
