I'm afraid to ask how you know that Doc............
1,301 September 7, 2020 1:41 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
1,302 September 7, 2020 10:45 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Completed the braid recess this morning. DONE with the router and Roto Zip! What a freaking mess! If there is anything messier that routing wood I sure don't know what it is!
1,303 September 5, 2020 12:20 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
In a spur of the moment decision to get some work done on the track I was able to finish up the routing of all four new lanes. All the lanes of the circuit are again continuous. Thanks to Diane for her help today!
1,304 September 4, 2020 7:48 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Thanks for the positive feedback guys! I've spent a great deal of time thinking and planning for this renovation. This track has a lot of history and is important to our slot racing community. I do not take cutting up and changing anything on this track lightly!
1,305 September 3, 2020 3:22 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
This morning Howie, Beau, and Bart came by to give me a hand on the track. My goal for the day was to get one lane routed on each side of the new sections. We were able to surpass my expectations by completing those two lanes, plus 3 more lanes on one side. Due to some differences in the lane spacing on the existing lanes I still need to tie the new lane ends into the existing lanes, but with almost half of the new lanes routed the track is looking pretty good!
Thanks again Howie, Beau, and Bart!
I used wood finish molding as a guide for my router on the first lane cut.
The additional lanes were routed using a jig that mounts on my router base with locating pins that ride in the existing slot.
1,306 September 2, 2020 9:32 pm
Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread (2,156 replies, posted in NASTE)
Doc, I really think you need to get to work on that track!.............Funny stuff though...........Thanks!
1,307 September 2, 2020 3:28 pm
Re: The NASTE chassis! (49 replies, posted in Rapid Raceway)
Thanks Zack!
1,308 September 2, 2020 10:26 am
Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread (2,156 replies, posted in NASTE)
Thanks for posting Doc, it is September already and time to open up some dialog regarding the NASTE 2021 season. The annual Halloween race is on the calendar, but that's it so far.
I'm not sure when everyone would like to get some racing scheduled, and I know there are still concerns over the COVID 19 stuff. I have attended a few races during this COVID 19 issue and have not experienced any problems. The races I have attended were attended by fewer than 20 racers and everyone was being cautious to some degree. The basic rule has been if you don't feel well, don't come.
As far as classes to race for the point series, I am open to any suggestions as I have no preferences. The schedule is open for discussion also in regards to tracks interested in hosting races, scheduling for Odd Thursday Night racing, Saturday races, or any other ideas.
1,309 September 2, 2020 10:14 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Thanks Zack. I don't think this addition will make it any harder. So I guess that part is good news!
1,310 September 2, 2020 9:32 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
This morning's work consisted of sanding the Bondo in the joints and screw holes I applied yesterday. I broke down and pulled out my small orbital sander, I had always completed this step with a sanding block by hand. This morning I decided I'm too old for that crap! I really should've gotten smarter sooner! I still have a second finish coat of Bondo to lay down but I may go ahead and get some of the router work done first.
1,311 August 30, 2020 9:20 pm
Re: Thank you (5 replies, posted in Rapid Raceway)
Sorry Doc. I'd hire ya but, I can't afford ya!
1,312 August 30, 2020 4:24 pm
Re: Thank you (5 replies, posted in Rapid Raceway)
You're welocme Rico. The real thanks goes to Howie for doing everything to make this happen!
Thanks Howie!
1,313 August 28, 2020 3:01 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Haven't posted any updates in the last few days but, I have been doing a little work on the track most everyday. Today I finished fitting the joints of the new sections of MDF track/roadbed. I shimmed and filed each joint to level them to the old sections of track. The pieces are now all shimmed and secured in place with screws. It's now time for muddin' and then firing up the router!
1,314 August 23, 2020 11:42 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
docdoom wrote:
Didn't aomeone get killed at construction site a few years ago were they were putting one of those concrete walls up and it fell and smashed a worke rin Portland? What a bad way to go. Not there is really any good way to go
Well maybe one.
Yes. That was a few years ago.
I wanna go with a controller in my hand!
1,315 August 23, 2020 11:39 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Today I trimmed up the MDF sheets and fit them into place for mock up. I also installed some more legs to help further support the track table in different areas.
1,316 August 22, 2020 6:47 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
Pretty corny Doc! I remember those safety videos! The ones I remember involved FIRE and EXPLOSIONS! We always viewed them as a challenge!
1,317 August 21, 2020 6:51 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
DUDE. you have NO idea! This IS my PC photo! What you don't see are the beer bottles, no safety glasses anywhere, safeties on power equipment bypassed, etc., etc.
1,318 August 21, 2020 6:47 pm
Re: some east coast builds (7 replies, posted in Track)
Hey Doc, if Home Depot doesn't have what you're looking for go to Shur-Way Lumber on St. Johns. I made two trips to Home Depot for something they didn't have but Shur-Way did have it. Their prices are comparable and they load it for you!
1,319 August 21, 2020 1:01 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
John Gill came over to help me manhandle the sheets of 3/4" MDF. We were able to get both sheets cut and fit into their respective places between the hairpin and the rest of the track.
Then Stuart Wall showed up and we discussed the track design that will fill in the gaps.
The Official PASER Track Design Team in action!
1,320 August 20, 2020 3:37 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
You're absolutely right Chris! I have already removed all the existing shims from the straight section exiting the bank (the track is just hanging there unsupported. It is twisted from being screwed into place for so long). The end of that straight will be screwed down flat at a slightly elevated position above the tabletop to meet up with the new straight that leads into the hairpin. Same old scenario....change this and you screw up that!............
1,321 August 20, 2020 7:07 am
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
kidvolt wrote:
Looks fantastic. In an imaginary way.
Yes, there are currently two sections for "slotless" cars........
"All the old track records are now obsolete, you'll/we'll have to start over."
Depending on when I get all this work done, maybe I'll have another open house for the track re-opening?
1,322 August 19, 2020 6:58 pm
Re: DOCDOM's Scalextric Digital Track in Vancouver - By Dan Fritz (43 replies, posted in Parkside Raceway)
That set up looks pretty cool Doc!
1,323 August 19, 2020 1:12 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
What I accomplished today:
1. Another trip to Home Depot (and NOT finding what I actually wanted......again....).
2. Another trip to the lumber yard (to get what I actually needed at about the same price as Home Depot....if they had it).
3. Cut, fit, and installed tabletop plywood surface.
4. Added additional 2x4 bracing to the tabletop framework.
5. Played around with lane designs to reconnect the hairpin turn to the rest of the layout (most fun part).
I used 1/2" plywood (OK, 15/32") for the tabletop. The original portion is 5/8", which you can't find anymore. Even 1/2" and 3/4" is undersized by 1/32" now days. I mean come on, how much can 1/32" actually save them?
Here you can see where I drew in the proposed new slots that will tie the hairpin curve back into the rest of the course.
1,324 August 18, 2020 9:30 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
This is a very good question Doc, one I have contemplated myself. I guess it's just nostalgia. I want to retain as much of the original track and its history as possible. It would probably be easier to just re-route a new corner, and it would only cost an additional $30 for another sheet of MDF. But there's that stubborn part of me I constantly deal with, and there's the "challenge" part of the endeavor..........We'll see how it goes, it's not over yet.....
1,325 August 18, 2020 1:32 pm
Re: Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - Renovation (199 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)
It definitely helps relieve a little stress Doc!
I don't have much to show for today's efforts. I spent a little extra time trying to find materials. It seems as though every time I restore or re-construct an existing track I find myself wondering if it would have just been easier to start over from scratch. Today some of the "challenges" that come up when re-constructing an existing track made themselves known. First off this track surface is 5/8 inch MDF. Now the easiest way to make changes in the layout is to use like materials, so that all the joint line up easily. Well guess what, I found out after visiting Home Depot and our local lumber yard, 5/8 inch MDF is no longer easy to find. So I went with 3/4 inch MDF. I'll use 1/2 inch plywood for the tabletop instead of the 5/8 inch used on the rest of the tabletop. This should put my track surface joints even where the track is flat to the tabletop. Where the straight from the exit of the banked curve comes down the hill, I will have to do some fancy shimming to make the 5/8 inch roadbed flush with the 3/4 inch roadbed.
The next challenge was with the 180 degree hairpin. As the hairpin was originally mounted to the tabletop. the entry into the corner was elevated making for downhill travel through the curve. With the layout reconfiguration the lead into the hairpin will be with a flat transition. This meant I had to remove all the screws screwing the MDF roadbed to the tabletop. Not terribly difficult but time consuming. I used a magnet (I've found many "useful" uses for 1/32 slot car traction magnets) to locate the screws, and then dug out the bondo covering them with a knife so I could remove them. I had to remove almost every screw so I could knock out the shim materials under the roadbed. The profile for this curve will be totally opposite of what it was originally.
So now it's hot and I'm done for the day!
I cut and installed a couple 2x4s in the framework for cross bracing.
In this photo you can see the 18 or so screws I had to remove to get the shims out from under the roadbed.
This shows the original profile of the corner when it was positioned at the exit of the banked turn. Not gonna work where it is located now!