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Track planning - digital, routed or plastic...

1684 Views 16 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  Damo, 
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Hi there. I've decided my 2 week old son needs a hobby when he's old enough
and as such I'm thinking about ideas for a track in my garage. I have done some reading and it seems slot racing is massively different to how I remember! I have some old track and bits in boxes in the loft, so I'll get some of it down at some point soon to give me more ideas. I don't expect any of it to actually work though, so am deciding my parameters for a track based on:
  • My garage is a single garage, with power and light. It's not clogged up with stuff, but I can't let the finished circuit take over the whole space. So, I intend on a hinged lightweight base board (polypropylene?) with a 6mm MDF 'top'. The hinge will attach to the wall at waist height and legs will 'fall' out as it's lowered into place. At the moment, I'm thinking of one, maybe two boards in line, so a maximum of 16x8.
  • I would like digital, it makes perfect sense to me.
  • I love the idea of best racing line too. Not sure quite how to achieve it yet though.
  • I also see the benefits of a routed track - no magnets to do the work for you, cheaper construction and so on.
  • Digital in wood - I'm likely going to get Scaley stuff to butcher and transplant, as the majority of tracks I've seen are built this way and the availability of bits looks to be greater.
Since I'm starting from scratch I think it's good to get people's opinions (and please do share your mistakes!) so that I get the plan right before I buy anything at all.

My ultimate plan is to have my son's mates over racing at the weekends, and both my father and father in law to help out with modelling duties. Hope that it's going to be a kind of focus point and hobby we can all enjoy!
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Damo
I started with a similar excuse to you which was an enormous lie, I wanted a slot car set for myself and I suppose the kids could join in too if they had to! I chose Scalextric Digital and have really enjoyed it so far. What appeals most is the ability to modify and tune cars which makes it a very intriguing hobby. I may go routed one day (it has some real appeal, especially BLST) but find that what I have and what I plan to do with it is a great way to learn and start. Having plastic to try different corners and lengths of straights etc... gets you better prepared to know what you want in a permanent or semi permanent track.
I drew up a plan for a track and as I get more pieces towards the total amount, I set up different corners and modify the plan as I see fit. When it is finished I am sure I will be really happy with it and that it will suit me for a good few years at least.

Good luck with it!
Damo.

P.S. the kids will love it! My 5 year old daughter does and even my 17 month old son can drive, he isn't strong enough to push the trigger all the way in so he never deslots!
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