Sling shot launcher for drag strip?
Does anyone use a slingshot launcher for their dragstrip, and if so, did you buy one or build one? I am considering building a second dragstrip with a slingshot.
Discussion
I've made a couple, some custom from scratch, others were 3D designs someone else had put on thingiverse. I don't like the standard HW launchers because the slot through the launcher is often so wide, cars will have a weel fall into it. I prefer a plunger type that comes through the back instead.
I saw this a day or so ago
makezine.com/projects/toy-car-launcher/
could you adapt it to multi lane launch is the question
- I have some ideas in mind. — Freedom_DieCast_DragRacing
- I like the flat surface of the plunger head, but question the reliability of using elastics for energy. At what point do you determine a replacement is needed to provide consistency? — Chris_Hood
- indoor plane people use an elastic banding that comes in 25ft long for $6. and a lube for it. maybe ya could "tune for car weights/classes" Unlimited gets the super wind, 25g not so muchand various sizes. — dr_dodge
- https://www.indoorffsupply.com/shop/custom-cut-tan-super-sport-rubber-25ft — dr_dodge
- Great idea, somebody gets an attaboy for that one. — alva1370
I just picked up a Hotwheels track set at Ross that included one. It fuctions using a rubber band, wich is cool for replacement I suppose. It's fun but I did find that at least on the one I have, the bumper/car height and shape affects how the car launches. Thought maybe I could still use it for like truck jump distance competitions or something.
- Yes, I cannot escape the feeling that any launcher would need a finely tuned design to enhance performance, reduce variability and mitigate harm. I am not a builder of cars, I can only say that I resist the idea of something I worked on being raced this way — Chris_Hood
- I tested one before I did the hill climb, and off road wheels don't fit it, but one truck would do a loop from where it hit. — dr_dodge
- @Chris_Hood. Not sure if this is how i reply to a reply lol. Ya the moment I noticed the variance I realized I couldn't use it for anything competitive. — Diecast_Autosports
- @dr_dodge. Mine does fit off-road. I only mentioned the truck jump because most of my off-road/trucks seemed to have similar bumpers and height. Which seemed to reduce that launching variance. — Diecast_Autosports
It will probably only end up being an entertainment thing for youtube content.
- have ya played with boosters yet? — dr_dodge
- I though about using them for the hill climb, too — dr_dodge
- @drdodge: That was what Chaos Canyon used on his single-track hill climb layout and his stadium layout. — SpyDude
- Some shows are squarely in the realm of entertainment and not "serious competition." Even channels that mainly have big tournaments will sometimes hold fun exhibition races, so don't feel locked in to one style — Chris_Hood
We're talking some spring powered kinetic launcher, like what is used in 3DBotMaker's demolition derby series? As a wee boy, I had a couple of playsets that either used exactly that or had a shift handle that activated a lever to push cars along through one of the two hairpin turns. With the sudden motion and energy imparted to small cars, even heavier modified builds, I feel you are risking the cars jumping the track, crashing out, and most importantly suffering potential damage.