[davoq]

Thanks mate.

A man needs projects and hobbies!

 

[2FER SLOTS]

This track is coming along well

Its is fun watching you build !
You have made comments about your planning and thinking methods.... looks like they work.
Did you start with a "Grand Plan" drawing ? How detailed did you have to plan this out?
I am wondering if a guy could build benchwork to fit a room then fill the bench with track!

 

[davoq]

Thanks 2FER.

It was the space that really influenced things first.

Before I built the bench work, I drew out the space in Visio and printed out about 200 copies at roughly 2 inch square. I then used this as a doodle pad in spare moments to work out where abouts in the space the track would go.

Once I had determined the location of the track, I switched to a three dimensional model, easier for me to think and check spaces, but what scale to build the model, 1:32 of course!

Happy with that, I went on to check har far I could reach in to the different areas and drew out some ideas on large sheets of cardboard 1:1, drew the outline of the bench work, built it and then transferred the actual bench back to the Visio drawing. Printed out more sheets and doodled some more:

I then switched to bigger sheets, did a whole load more big doodles and this was the "final" one, youl'll see that it is by no means an accurate drawing as I let the three dimensions of the space figure that out as I go along.

 

[Graham Lane]

A great and novel approach! Lots of doodles, a 1:32 3D model, design as you go.

I like the combo of two lane and single lane. You can race or you can rally. It's hard to get bored when you can switch about like that. Have fun on your own or race with friends.

I'm looking forward to seeing how you do the scenery.

 

[knight rider]

wow, i've been reading this thread but couldn't see the pictures at work as they get blocked, great track, have you planned the scenery already ??

 

[knoath]

You're bloody mad mate!
Love it!!!

Air Con, fridge full of sherbert and some cool tunes.
Could want for nothing more!

 

[2FER SLOTS]

Thanks davoq for the explanation of your planning stategies

If anyone wonders "can this be done with routed?" all they have to do is read your thread....great imagination!

One more question,if ya don't mind, How do you manage to get the slots to line up so well from one section to the next?
I am to that stage of a track build and due to past "experiences" I'm hesitating

 

[davoq]

Graham, thanks, yes, I wanted a track that would have plenty of interest to race on my own. I'm really looking forward to the scenery too, I have been casting rocks in spare moments to build up some stock. I have also worked on lighting towers and individual lights, it will be a while until I can start putting these elements in place though as I want to make sure the track runs properly first.

Thanks Knight Rider, I have a few plans and ideas for the scenery. I would like to put a pub at the top of the hill climb. I want an impressive pit building, a grandstand and a large observation tower to hide one of the real roof supports. Nothing concrete yet, I'll see what shapes, lines and levels the track brings before deciding.

Knoath, agreed on all points, loved your post, made me laugh out loud. Thanks.

2FER, thanks for the kind words. So far, all of my joins have been a single lane or two lanes with an exact spacing of 3.5 inches. This is based on Luf's router kit. I keep all lanes at this standard spacing, but since I am attempting to do a BLST stlye track, the more interesting racing lines are overlaid on this basic pattern. I generally cut the shape of the track out first, this is a reverse of the Luf method and brings with it a problem, but it does allow me to place the track in situ and clearly mark the joins and to draw a smooth flow from one section to another. The problem that this method brings, is that I don't always have enough space to nail down the Lexan guide and still fit in to the minimum 3 inch router base option supplied by Luf. I over come this by bringing together the new piece of track alongside a peice of scrap MDF and nailing them both down to a larger piece of scrap MDF, this allows me to nail down the Lexan outside the bounds of the new track piece.

Don't worry though, as long as it is a permanent track, any small errors in aligment can easily be fixed with a chisel and some filler. I hit that today. Worst case, the section of track cut in error becomes an excellent template for the piece that you will get right, this is a hobby, it brings us pleasure. Measure twice, cut once, but if you stuff it up, just do it again.

Analysis paralysis is a terrible thing, I experience it, but I always find that action brings clarity.

 

[ronMcRain]

Very impressive work, davoq! ... rebuilding [almost] the entire house to get some free space for a track. Dedication, I'd say! [or lunacy?]

But seriously, the approach in reply #23 is very interesting ... to say the least!! Doodling is also good fun. Of course you have planned to make the smaller table as an entity in itself? For variation, swap it for another kind of track configuration or different scenic solution ...

-- ron --

 

[knight rider]

If your boards are 9mm, how deep are you routing the slot ??

 

[Savage]

I will hazard a guess at 7mm, I used 9mm and slotted to 7.5mm deep.

Nice work davoq, looks great so far

 

[davoq]

Thanks Savage.

The slots are about 6.5mm, 1/4 inch.

ronMcRain, thanks for the encouragement, the smaller benchwork will be part of the main circuit, joined by a bridge, but yes, I want it to have a different feel scenerywise, definitely fewer level changes.

 

[davoq]

Results of the time I was able to spend this weekend.

Joining the remaining part of the track on the first bench to the bridge.

Mesuring up and aligning.

Cut out the track shape and draw on the slots, roughly.

Route the slots and the racing line, glue and screw into place:

I forgot to put in the racing line slot on the first big bend I built so had to route it in situ:

That's better:

Lots of filling and sanding, not my favourite job.

So started planning the next section of track on the other bench.

But that's for next weekend.

Here's a shot into the other corner of the space where I have built my workbench, bit messy at the moment.

Pull out shot:

 

[joegraphix]

simply amazing use of space!
love the hill climb section!

 

[davoq]

Thanks joegraphix, the undulations on the long straight of your new track influenced my design.

So, on to the other bench!

Planning and marking out, small boards so I can get them into the roof.

Routed and screwed down.

Building the bridge:

Yay, filling and sanding

Some shots of the other bench with a lick of paint.

That brings it up to date for now.

 

[ferraif40]

Why cant I live next door to you???

 

[davoq]

Thanks Jon, you actually live close to my brother, but he doesn't have a track.

 

[pace1970uk]

This track looks like it's going to be a blast to race on. Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[davoq]

Thanks pace1970uk, I'm certainly looking forward to getting the tape down and running some laps.

Not a huge amount done this weekend, I had other duties, building things for my partner's retro clothing stall, she's very supportive of my hobby so I'm happy to help her with hers whenever I can.

Painted the track on the other bench and tidied up the whole room. Took out all the power tools and vacuumed. Entering a new phase of the track now, very exciting.

Some other shots:

 

[MrFlippant]

This is so cool.

I look forward to seeing you build out your lane changers. Even though you're using Ninco with dead strips, I'm sure a lot of your techniques can be put to use for other digital technologies. Please be as detailed as you can.