[Alan Bean]

Hi there,

Well i'm building a track in my garage and thought i'd share my progress on the forum. this is the first time i have tried anything like this so may from time to time ask for help or advise. Please see photos below of the first part of my table i have built

Here is the table with a small track i have setup just to give me something to do until i get more wood to complete the rest

i'm building the track against the back wall of the garage but i'm keeping it narrow so i can reach if a car comes off. The rest of the table will be to the right and i plan for it to be a "U" shape.

I haven't thought of a theme yet for the track or any layout. After looking round the net the best advise seems to be to build your table first and experiment with different layouts till you find one that works great. Only thing I have managed to come up with is the name and a logo.

I will update my status as i make more progress

Alan

 

[loosesalute]

Looking like a great start Alan.
Welcome to SF & we look forward to seeing more pics.
Cheers,
Kev.

 

[Aurora]

It's gotta have a lunar theme, don't it? Ok, tired joke, you've probably heard that enough to last a lifetime.

Welcome to the board Alan. Looking forward to your progress.

 

[Alan Bean]

I've been trying some different layots on my table, just trying different corners and trying my cars out. here's some pictures of the best layouts i've played with so far.

my first

This is my 4th and favourite so far, but seems very short

I've also placed a tunnel on this track, which is a off cut of pipe sawed in half.

As you can see it's a lovely size and covers the track and cars great.

I plan to paint the inside of the tunnel grey like concrete and place some lights in there. I will also build on top of the tunnel so the cars actually go under a hill with maybe the track above as well.

I don't know what to use for lights in the tunnel though, LED's, high power blue LED's, xmas tree type bulbs (wife's idea) or whatever looks good at maplins. Has anyone got any suggestions or tips if they've done this before? I also plan to have lights round the track so I can have night races.

Alan

 

[sealevel]

Is that drainage pipe? What is the diameter?
Looks great to me.

Seems it is easier to get low power LEDs from Asia on the "auction" site and power them with a separate transformer for lighting.
That seems to be the trend for pit bay buildings on this forum.

Others will offer suggestions, I am sure.

Cheers!

 

[MrFlippant]

Great idea for a tunnel, Alan!

Say, what are the exact dimensions of your table? I have an idea for a track, but I want to use as much space as possible.

 

[Ember]

I like your tunnel support.
If you're interested in lighting it it's easy enough.

Not a tunnel, but an overhang. Done with pre-wired super bright 3mm LEDs from that auction site SeaLevel mentioned. They're mounted in 'diffusers' made from the textured edge of a CD case.

Tunnel lit with 3 'wide angle' super bright LEDs from local electronics store. These have since been given a coat of Tamiya Clear Yellow because I didn't like the cold white light.

Have fun
Embs

 

[Alan Bean]

Hi Sealevel,

The pipe is drainage pipe and is 9 inch or 230mm diameter. Where i work is storing 10m lengths of it in our yard for our sister company. They use these short offcuts as spacers for the banding that holds the bundles together but they always come loose and end up getting blown round our yard so I borrowed some as they looked ideal for a tunnel.

Also I'll have to try those LED's, they look good on Ember's photo's. I think I might get some orange clear paint and give them a coat of that as the tunnels in the uk have orange lights in them.

Mr Flippant,

I haven't measured the table properly, as it is made up of some chipboard and loft floorboards which myself, my dad and my brother had spare between the 3 of us. The track is my project but the pair of them have volunteered to help with it and are onating things so I can't complain. I'll measure it tonight and let you know the dimensions.

Alan

 

[sealevel]

Thanks.

BTW, I love the logo for your track!

Cheers!

 

[JJJ]

One simple tunnel light with 2 leds can be done with a white straw like this:

Light posts for the track can be made many different ways with leds. I made them with Bic razors and 1/4" pipe. I also used diffusers made with the CD case edge. Like this:

Love that tunnel Ember! I did graffiti in mine too!

 

[Ian B]

JJJ,
Those street lights are a great idea simple but really effective thanks for showing us,

now do I have to have a shave first?

 

[Robb]

QUOTE (Alan Bean @ 28 Jun 2011, 17:11) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats go to be one of the best 'off the shelf' tunnels I've seen!

Reminds me of the Dunlop bridge or Michelin man.

QUOTE (JJJ @ 29 Jun 2011, 20:03) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Love this, it looks great!

 

[JJJ]

QUOTE (bleep @ 29 Jun 2011, 21:51) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>JJJ,
Those street lights are a great idea simple but really effective thanks for showing us,

now do I have to have a shave first?

Thanks bleep! and you're welcome. Yes, these streetlights can only be built after many years of shaving and collecting razors, lol! Actually bought 5 packs of them at the dollar store here. Since you like them, here's a few more ideas for yall and Mr. Bean:

Antique copper streetlights made from 1/4 copper pipe and diffusers from a Bic pen. Bic Razors, Bic pen, hmm, I seem to have a thing for Bic. Even the yellow helipad barriers above are made from the Bic razor covers! I used them on my bridge (old picture):

Made a few old-fshioned streetlights from markers, pipe, and Christmas light diffusers:

OK, sorry for highjacking your thread Mr. Bean. You mentioned lighting and so I give some examples, and offer assistance if need be, hope 's'OK!

 

[Alan Bean]

Don't worry about hijacking the thread, those lights look great and better than anything i could probably make, even from everyday objects.

Been a busy weekend and I've got my table built. here's a plan of the size of the table and some photo's of it. Hope it's big enough to make a good circuit. i was limited by the shape of my garage.

I've also been working on my tunnels. My dad found some stone effect spray paint so we've used that on the inside to make it a concrete effect, please see

I also found out my old box of electrical components, which included some orange LED's I had forgot I had, so I am going to use these as the lights in my tunnel. They're not that bright and gives the tunnel a dark and dingy feel. Here's one I've monted in place, will wire the others up one night in the week.

I will update as more progress is made, and thanks for the previous comments and feel free to add anything you think i may find handy

Alan

 

[Alan Bean]

It feels like it's been a busy week.
After several different layouts, my brother and i havd decided on this layout:-

Here's a photo of it:-

Also got the full lighting done on the tunnels, we decided on orange LED's and three down the centre of the roof. These look effective enough even though the picture doesn't

Here's some photo's of various parts of the track

Pit lane & Start straight:-

Overpass:-

"Esse" bend leading up to overpass:-

Tunnel:-

The Far corner:-

Plan to put some grandstands on the outside of this turn

Lap Counter:-

I've also polished up the old classic track as it was grubby and the cars were slowing down on it, used a dremmel with a littler wire brush on it and the track came up good and the cars fly round now. haven't timed them yet though.

More to come as I progress

Alan

 

[Ember]

Tunnel is coming up well. I like the stone paint you've used on the interior. Hope the track is a fun challenge.

It'd be a good idea to treat the power rails with something seeing as you've buffed them up with an abrasive. Something that would coat them and protect them against further rust. Because of the minute scratches you've created on the rail, they will be more prone to rust, mainly at the sharp edges of those scratches. Doesn't really matter greatly what you use, there are many suitable products out there. WD40 will work but will need frequent re-application. RP7 and CRC5.56 will also do the job, both will require frequent reapplication. Of course, my favourite is Inox MX3, if you can get it, which doesn't dry and will only require re-application every 3 to 6 months depending on use.

Embs

 

[Alan Bean]

Thanks for the advise ember, I can get Inox MX3 in the k so i'll probably get some, but use some good old wd40 for the moment.

Started work on my infill. wasn't sure what to use but my dad got me some insulation foam he'd seen. I've stapled this to my table, placed my track on top and then cut round the track. I will then carefully remove the staples and glue the foam to the table. A single layer of the foam wasn't thick enough so have double layered it. I will then paint this and add some flock.

Not done my cut round the pit lane yet.

Also went to my first slot swap meet this weekend at Ossett and the wife let me buy some new cars, bought two le mans cars a focus RS and autoart Peugeot 206 which doesn't like the old track, think it's cos i cleaned the track and it's abrasive

Porsche & Merc le mans cars

Focus & Pug

More to come as i progress,

Alan

 

[Alan Bean]

it's been a while since i last posted, work has been slow on the track at the moment due to lack of free time 9don't know where it goes!!!) anyhow wasn't 100% happy with the track as it wasn't living up to it's name of the AB Speedway, as even though it was fun to drive there wasn't any long enough straights to get any speed up. so after many tries and configurations have come up with the below new layout, which you can get upto speed on. but had a really bad accident with my tvr which left the track, went end over end over the barrier and then bounced off the table onto the garage floor and split the rear spoiler

thinking about putting some sort of fencing, like the one slot car svenics sell, round the track, especially on corners.

here's the new layout schematic, will post some photos shortly.

 

[Alan Bean]

It's been a few months since i last posted anything, but work hasn't stopped.

I've finished the foam and have started to paste some old newspaper on top of it.

Have also been buying some scenery recently, starting with a tyre wall from slot track scenics. These are very good as they fit just right next to the wall where the track gets close to it and they stop the cars from rubbing against the wall and scratching them.

Need to fasten them up as they keep falling over and it's a problem when that happens!!!

As well as the tyres have started work on my pit lane by buying a control tower, and will be buying some pit garages in due course. Have also bought a Dunlop tyre bridge as when i was younger my dad used to take me to Donnington Park to watch the motor racing and it is the one must have i have always wanted for any circuit.

 

[Alan Bean]

Not updated since October, due to holidays, xmas and talk talk poaching our phone line when we never said tehy could, then them disconnecting us and not giving the line back!!!!!!

But anyway, due to xmas santa was good to me and brought me a start light gantry, lap counter and pit crew. Have also bought a scalextric Grandstand and pit garage to add to my layout.

The light gantry:

The Granstand:

The Pit Garage and Pit Crew

Have also started the landscaping too as well as adding the buildings. Have started by sticking down polysterine and cardboard and building up round the tunnel.

Have also rolled up old newspaper and stuck them down with masking tape so and placed on top of the cardboard:
Tunnel:

Small hill in front of Grandstand

I have also bought some plaster cloth and have started plastering the small hill:

Put ran out when i started onthe big hill/tunnel:

That is where I'm at and need to but some more plaster cloth to cover the rest of the big hill and to smooth out other areas of the track.