50 foot future track talk (thread moved from Red,White,Blue)
Started a new thread to discuss everyone's track lengths. Again, I'm trying to get ideas on dimensions on a new track I plan to build this summer. I'm a teacher, so I will have some extra time during the summer. I have a long way to go though. So far I only have one roll of 50' Red, White, and Blue Hot Wheels track. I plan to grab another roll when I see one on eBay. As of now, my dad and I are going to get some cardboard to try and make a mockup of how the track would perform at different heights, downhill to straight-away ratios, etc.
I tried to copy and paste everybody's comments over from the other thread. I couldn't think of an easier way to do it. Any input anybody can provide on track dimensions helps, just keep in mind that the track is 50' long. I'll worry about the start and finish gate later.
Hmm......I didn't even take into account lowriders and making sure the transition at the bottom of the track is smooth. I'm sure a 16.7' drop starting at 5' high should have a decent enough transition. I'm a math guy, so that should have an angle of 17.46 degrees. I'm assuming that should be good enough.
@Jason - That 6' height and 24' drop actually has an angle of 14.48 degrees. I'm sure it's a little different because it's not a hard angled transition, the curve helps.
Wow, I didn't even think about the track expanding or shrinking from the sun. My idea was to have one section of wood cut out for each lane (deep enough for the track to fit in) and just a little wider than the base of the track. That way I didn't think I would have to adhere the track down anywhere. The friction from the walls of the track against the wood would hold it in place, or at least I was hoping so. This also prevents the track from moving at all. The cuts in the wood would have to be PERFECT though. I'm not sure I'll have access to the machinery needed for that, so I might have to come up with a new idea.
Question: how do you guys keep your tracks in line? Do you use some sort of adhesive? Duct tape? Do you roll up your track after the race is over?
Sorry, one more question. I don't mean to bombard you with all these questions at once, but when I told Jason that his angle of his track wouldn't be so bad because it curves in the transition, it's not a hard angle, I started thinking about the transition. My question is, how long is that transition on your tracks? Basically, what is the distance from when your track starts curving from the drop to the flat part of the straight-away? Is it a short transition or really long?
I use popsicle sticks to keep my track inline but still removable. Two sticks fit perfectly in the track groove and sometimes even snaps in. Easy and cheap.
The run-out section of the track is elevated 12"... so you'll have to add that to the calculation. Sorry, I thought the pics were posted here somewhere..
On my two lane track, I have a roll of adhesive backed magnetic strip that is attached to the underside of the track. Another strip of magnet is attached to the topside of the track bed. It just rolls out and snaps into place. A little nudge here and there and you're set to go.
On the eight lane track, I have 1" washers mounted to the track for a temporary fix. I was planning on routing grooves to drop the track into, but had a time crunch before the convention and had to put that on hold. The washers are working out pretty good and not creating the bumps I had expected. It will get changed one day, but there's no rush on that.
The 1" fender washer will slip right into the groove on the bottom of the track. Place a second, smaller washer under that one to elevate it and the track will slide on from the end. You may have to countersink the screw into the washer to get it completely flat. (Bumps are bad)
As far as the transition, The 10* is a really easy slope. Even if you go with more, the track will not hold the exact shape the the race bed and it will smooth the transition out on it's own
I tried the washer route once too and it did seem to work quite well but I ended up using the popsicle sticks instead. I think I picked them because they folded up better since my track is just some hinged boards.
http://www.redlinederby.com/2010/09/kee ... -straight/
And here's an old post that shows the washer in action...
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=87&p=584&hilit=washer#p584