Wood starting gate plans, Pinterest
It is with a little bit of shame that I found something kind of cool on Pinterest. I started using Pinterest as a way to market RLD but in exploring the app found a cool post from someone that made a wooden starting gate. Just another take on a DIY solution.
http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011 ... track.html
Personally, I think it looks big and clunky but I love how they used the dowel rod as the release action. I can see some variations on this for our more "professional" needs that would make it even more awesome.
Discussion
Simple & effective. I might suggest the use of low friction Teflon on the dowels that hold the cars. Wood will lift up certain cars if their front end(s) "dig" into it.
The issue with this, is that cars with a shorter front end have a huge advantage over taller cars. Cars like the Speed Blaster especially with the sloped front would benefit from this because the gate only needs to lift a fraction for it to be off down the track before the car next to them.Cool though.
like the homemade and functional starter gate...
I.M.O. only...to stop the wedgie's advantage... maybe use 3" postal elastics [free, they show up around "bills" all the time ], a bump stop and a catch/ release lever, [appx. 3/8" tube, conduit clamped to the side of the track's upright with an appx.1/4" tube with a handle on the downhill end, slid inside the 3/8" tube, slide the handled tube over the existing elastic loaded handle...
... to start ; gently pull downhill on the handle, releasing the loaded start pins] ... if you lift the pins fast enough there will be no advantage... maybe get the tubes from different size ink pens ...
I think the flames are neeto!
You could exchange the dowel rods for pieces of plexiglass. Just notch out the main dowel rod enough to slide the plexiglass and some adhesive in. This would give a clean look, and if made long enough, wouldn't give any advantage to any lower profiled cars.
Tyler
I like your forum. I also get what you want to told us. I learned who you made a wood Starting gate. I will make this. I have two sons and they will liked very much when I made this for them.
welcome aboard "wolfie",
these are the folks that can help you build your track, there are also some builders of the fast car here on RDR !
I like your forum. I also get what you want to told us. I learned who you made a wood Starting gate. I will make this. I have two sons and they will liked very much when I made this for them.
ummm, Welcome "adelwolfsmith"(?)....no offence, but your OT sig has the subtle aromma of gilled aquarian life.
Fun project! It needs a catch box though =)
I prefer wooden fences because it’s looking so quiet.A wooden fence is not complete, without wooden fence doors. The wood fence gate marks the entrance and exit of the fence and also serves as the focal point, as well. This is the reason, why wood fence gates are installed by, most people.
WOW !
Schmitty, I just knew you'd be able to understand all that!
The issue with this, is that cars with a shorter front end have a huge advantage over taller cars. Cars like the Speed Blaster especially with the sloped front would benefit from this because the gate only needs to lift a fraction for it to be off down the track before the car next to them.
Cool though.