[4.3 ZOOK]

Hi all...
I'm diving in the lake without looking..

Start off with the general concept:.a two lane routed/digital(scx) 70ft track with a one lane switchback section due to lack of insight on how much space a two lane turn actually takes up....On a two lane turn I figured 9.5"radius.That gives the outside car 4.5".

the plan:after 7 or 8 drawings,pretty much had it..(foreground photo)

and a few blurry pics of the room and the foundation table,all materials are recycled from a house remodel I,m doing.(pine and hollow core doors)
table dimensions are 4'x15'

I started routing some of the turn sections,got about seven feet routed and the 1/8" bit broke,wasn't even hot...
How long do they usually last?

Hopefully more photos in a few days...

 

[Kellerkind]

Ah ha! Another infected!

Well, the best thing is to get started. In the end it will be fine! Have fun and please post further photos of the building progress. Regards Jens (Kellerkind)

 

[Lala]

Nice room and an intresting layout there

My first router bit was a cheap one it lasted about 7 feet like yours, the next one
costed me around 25 dollars and is still going strong after 65 feet of 4tracks.
Dont force it, route in the right direction and set the router to 3/4 of its topspeed.

 

[1 32 slotter]

I like the idea of going SCX digital. Just love the fact that you don't have to buy lane changers. You will be able to throw quite a few in there. Looking forward to this build.

Joel

 

[2FER SLOTS]

I like your track plan

Curious how you plan to support the track that loops over the straight,I have a similar spot on mine and haven't decided how I want it to look.
We cut a complete track with a Freud bit,broke it after 20 ft on the new track and broke another after 5 ft. I got warrantee on the second bit. I think what really happened was I was starting the router in the previous slot with the strip nailed against it. Next 140 ft went just fine starting the router and plunging it into the wood.

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

Killerkind-yes I am and you helped

Lala...thanks...I ordered two carbide spiral up-cut types,i'll give them a go....

1 3/2- as soon as I get the basic set,I'll know how to make them...lol

2fer-there's going to be a tunnel under the loop area,this is truly form follows function,I had a vision of what the terrain should look like,but I see now it will change.I would like to have a valley and a few ridges....possibly two bridges....

some more progress,please forgive the camera,think it has a cataract....
in case anyone is wondering what is on the wall,I call it poor man's terrazzo .carpet padding from when I tried to be a rock star

one of the hairpins (5 " radius)

most of the one way sections

The two lane straight which will partially be in a tunnel

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

I need some racers advice as to where to place the cross overs..
since I am routing them,they can go anywhere..please help!

 

[1 32 slotter]

Probably a Dumb question....... Why not make your table wider so you could have 2 lanes all the way around the track? It looks like you have the room. At least in the photos it does.

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

Not at all,I think the photos are a little deceiving though,once the track is elevated(around 22" at highest)the far right corner(16")is almost a 4' stretch to reach the cars....

 

[gmac118]

Hi Zook, Good luck with your track.
Just a wee word of concern, based on my own mistakes. I have a long track set up along a solid wall. Looks like a similar space to yours

I have found it a big problem with 5 or 6 racers as the folk at either end of the track cant see the opposite end. Cant see = cant drive. I am now having to move my whole track away from the wall so racers can stand either side of the long straight.
dont want to put you off , but i Thought it was worth mentioning. Might save you some hassles. Its a big job moving my whole track. I basically have to rebuild the bench

Good luck

Grant

 

[ju5t1n]

thats a valid point and perfectly timed too

 

[Kellerkind]

Hi Zook, will it be digitally powered? How many crossings do you want to make? Obligate crossing (cars have to) or optional (cars can if they want)? In my opinion crossings or flippers etc. should be easy to be reached (higher risk of flying offlane or crash in these areas). Thus meaning that one of the curves in front of the track could be best. By the way, all the over-the-edge designs have visibility-problems more or less. Why not use the space you get when all drivers have to stay back to keep everyones visibility for making the track bigger

?

Regards Jens (Kellerkind)

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

First I'd like to say thanx for the comments and suggestions,I understand the blind spot in my design but decided to just work with it.I doubt if more than two racers will ever be on it....
So here are some more progress shots....

Here is a minor mistake,so I cut some thin strips on the table saw,glued and press fit into place.
then rerouted new path..

These two shots are trying too show the different depths for the lane changes(6mm and 10mm)
and another minor change can be seen......I cycled a car with the lane change device in the down position and they work!

I used the plunge router with a counter sink bit and adjusted the depth, it made quick work of it..
And a shot of the section splices (I overkill everything)
Figured there would be lots of torque and torsion when banking and flexing the track..

Most of the pieces spliced

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

Jens, I added a single lane change where you drew in the red double and another single at the following turn..
Yes it is SCXD.....
And hooking up the power base remotely is fairly straight forward, more later on when I get to that point...

 

[1 32 slotter]

Hello I see that you have gotten more done. Very good. It's going to be a hard track to pass. Does scxd have ghost cars? If yes it would be a blast starting in the back Field and seeing just how long it takes to get up front.
Are you planing this track to be a rally? Keep up the good work.

Joel

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

Thanks Joel..
I couldn't make up my mind what kind of track to make,I'm fascinated with the hill climbs and I like the rally tracks
so kinda combined several types .I don't think SCX has ghost cars(have to look into that)Guess I could always tape
up a couple of controllers

alittle searching got me this...
"bswan72 ..SCX Digital does offer a Safety Car which functions as a ghost car on the track."
now if I can change the bodies,that would be cool..

 

[Kellerkind]

Great progress, looking fwd to see more! Regards Jens(Kellerkind)

 

[4.3 ZOOK]

Thanx,I'm gettin' somewhere...

Kerfmania;this should be enough for some bankage EH?

Started messing around with elevations,I had higher expectations,then reality set in...
sorry for the photo quality,camera is on it's last leg,but you get the idea...

I did some more searching for the SCX safety cars,it appears that they are hard to find due to the fact,they are no longer in production!

 

[MrFlippant]

That looks great. Should be a blast to drive!

 

[Kellerkind]

Yyyyesss, yapp,yau! Nicely with elevation, you know I like hills! Now show me the scenery! Regards Jens(Kellerkind)