Track Size

[kenny_dilger]

Hello,

I want to build a track. My first attempt was pretty laim. I went to Home depot and bought two 2'x4' 1/4 inch hard boards and some rope. I soon figured out that the rope is not high enough and the car can go over it.

Does anybody have any recommendations on side rails that are tall enough and let the car skid on if it hits a wall?

Also what is a typical track size? I am thinking that 4'x4' is not going to be big enough. It would be nice to keep the track modular because I live in an apartment and don't have much space.

Thanks,
Kenny

[Bryan4691]

I am using a 4'x8' sheet of .125" plywood. For the walls I used 1"x1" and nailed them up from the bottom. The track is in 4 sections that fold up on hinges (This idea was taken from another user). When I am racing the track is a full 4'x8' and when I am done, the track folds up roughly to 4'x2'x6". The lanes should be at least 8" wide and if you have any "S" curves or hair pins the lanes should be a little wider (10"). I painted the track with flat black wall paint, about 6 coats. It seems to give the cars nice grip but not too much where they will flip. Good luck.

[kenny_dilger]

Do you have any pictures? What did you use for your hinges? For the walls you used 1"x1" what? Was it wood? If so how did you get curves?

Thank you,
Kenny

[Bryan4691]

you are correct, the walls are made from 1"x1" wood. For the curves I used .5"x6"x6' wood. Each curve used 2 pieces of wood that i glued together and then nailed. I will try to post some pics.

[Rogue]

Hey Kenny,

I also am new to all of this stuff. I am not very creative and rely on the creativity of others. If you look in the tracks section of the TinyRC forum, you will see a lot of ideas that you could use. Some people use styrofoam for the sides, others use foam board that is available at Home Depot. I have seen side rails made from car window trim, to strips of 1/8'' hard board, to plastic, to pvc pipes, to rope, to whatever you can get your hands on. I like the idea of a changing track and one that is modular. Check out the vinyl tile tracks that are in this forum. You can set them up on a table or floor (or anywhere) and take them down when the space is needed and pack them away in the closet. An added feature to them is the ability to change your track at will. There is also a good track making program that might help you (Trackmaker). You will have to do a search to find the link to it. I believe that there is a link in the tracks section. There are a lot of ideas hidden within the walls of this forum, just search them out (that's what I did). I hope that this helps.

Rogue

[ripper7777777]

For walls I used polystyrene and angle aluminum works well and the cars slide along it nicely, no damage, and its cheap.

[Rogue]

The country I live in is not as developed as the good 'ol U. S. of A. I really have a hard time finding some of the materials I would like to have. I am a little envious of you that have a good home supply store nearby. I was able to find some styrofoam in a small, local shop, and made the walls of my modular track with the styrofoam. I then printed off some designs on card stock (thick) paper the same height as the walls and glued it to the inside of the walls to help the cars slide along it instead of stopping dead on the styrofoam. I will probably build another track in about a month with a sheet of plywood. I am not sure how I am going to make the inside walls, but I want a track with a changable layout that looks good. I can nail hardboard to plywood for the outside walls, but the inside is the problem. Any suggestions?