Search found 47 matches

by Hurly64
Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:16 pm
Forum: Commercial
Topic: 20' Test Track
Replies: 4
Views: 12752

Re: 20' Test Track

I know this is an old topic, but I'll put in my 2cents anyway. Testing a car at a slower speed that a 2 foot height offers is actually much more informative than testing at full speed, as it allows one to see exactly what the car is doing. Is it riding the rail consistently? Is it banging the rail, ...
by Hurly64
Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:44 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Mini-Lathe on sale
Replies: 2
Views: 3488

Mini-Lathe on sale

For all the nuts out there that insist on turning wheels to within thousandths:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offe ... ct=Details
by Hurly64
Sat May 10, 2008 1:37 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Nickel plating: stainless steel vs. zinc
Replies: 9
Views: 9786

Re: Nickel plating: stainless steel vs. zinc

The plating process won't work unless you are bonding to bare metal.
I don't think the weight would be a factor-All the wheels and the axles together account for about .6 oz of the whole car.
by Hurly64
Sat May 10, 2008 8:28 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Nickel plating: stainless steel vs. zinc
Replies: 9
Views: 9786

Re: Nickel plating: stainless steel vs. zinc

If you use the zinc-plated axles in the BSA kit, the zinc needs to be taken off before you nickel-plate the axle. This can be done by soaking them in a mild solution of muriatic acid, or spending countless hours sanding the zinc off of each axle. I wouldn't recommend either practise to a cub scout. ...
by Hurly64
Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:17 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Talk Me Out Of This Test Track
Replies: 16
Views: 29645

Re: Talk Me Out Of This Test Track

If you have a tablesaw, I recommend 1-1/2" wide by 3/4" MDF trim & rip the thickness down to 1/4". That way, you get factory edges for the wheelguides. If the car is out of alignment, its out of alignment. If its aligned, the car will run good no matter how wide the lane guide is.
by Hurly64
Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:06 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Lane Guide Edges
Replies: 4
Views: 11480

Re: Lane Guide Edges

I use 3/4 x 1/1/2 inch MDF trim, ripped in half to net 1/4 x 1-1/2 pieces. The sawn edge faces down onto the track surface. That way, The wheels end up rubbing on factory edges. To answer your question, the edges need to be fairly smooth, as any saw marks will create inequalities from lane to lane. ...
by Hurly64
Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:23 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Any Experience with the Track from Make Tracks?
Replies: 8
Views: 13151

Re: Any Experience with the Track from Make Tracks?

There is another thread on this forum about that track. Do a search. From what I understand, Its basically a bunch of pieces already cut that you put together from what I understand. For about the same price, I could make one out of 1/4" MDF w/ a factory coat of vinyl, already put together. I d...
by Hurly64
Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:16 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Test track from [no advertising for this vendor].com any good?
Replies: 3
Views: 8013

Re: Test track from [no advertising for this vendor].com any good?

Speaking from experience, one can learn alot about the car by running it at half-speed.(place the car halfway or less than that up the ramp). You can really see how the car behaves that way-where it rubs, etc. Fine tune it, then run at full speed.
by Hurly64
Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:23 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Building a track - need advice
Replies: 17
Views: 29906

Re: Building a track - need advice

"Try this, place a 12" x 8' piece of 1/2" or 3/4" or even 5/8" MDF between two milk crates and stand on it. Be careful! Would you expect the same result with even the cheapest 3/8" plywood, it will bend but not break like a toothpick. Why I questioned it's structural i...
by Hurly64
Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:54 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Building a track - need advice
Replies: 17
Views: 29906

Re: Building a track - need advice

Home Depot should have the 1/4 MDF. In my neck of the woods, its only about $15/sheet. I used mine for 3 years, outside, under a covered porch in foggy weather. It never expanded or swelled due to moisture, and the radius never cracked on me. Its actually alot floppier than plywood and bends real ea...
by Hurly64
Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:28 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Building a track - need advice
Replies: 17
Views: 29906

Re: Building a track - need advice

If you really want 1/2" birch, try calling around to lumber stores. Its fairly common, hard to imagine any part of the country not having it. 1/4 birch will potato chip on you. 3/4 is too thick and wont bend easily. 1/2 inch arauco will also work. I've had great success with 1/4" vinyl coa...
by Hurly64
Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:47 pm
Forum: Trading Post
Topic: WOOD Track For Sale
Replies: 4
Views: 9627

Re: WOOD Track For Sale

I know its a hassle shipping a track, but it can be done. You'll widen your market if you are willing to ship. I just shipped a used two-laner via UPS across the country. I wrapped it up in saran-wrap type strapping to keep it together, and then wrapped the whole thing up in a 4 x 8 cardboard sheet....
by Hurly64
Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:57 pm
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Lets Talk about Storage
Replies: 6
Views: 11313

Re: Lets Talk about Storage

The big problem with 3/4" MDF is weight. It is heavier than plywood by far, and you have to use pnuematic-driven fasteners to hold it together. Although I am a fan of MDF as a track material, my vote would be plywood for the storage box. I'd recommend an exterior-grade plywood like araucan. Ara...
by Hurly64
Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:22 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Friction question
Replies: 4
Views: 4831

Re: Friction question

A metal insert inside the bore sounds like a bushing, if you ask me. Check the rules that come with the kit before you try that one out.
by Hurly64
Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:06 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Straightening a warped body
Replies: 10
Views: 10417

Re: Straightening a warped body

All wood has a natural tendency to warp, to some degree. It is a function of species, grain pattern, knots, humidity, you name it. Pine is one of the more stable woods, and at such a small size, warpage shouldn't be very noticable. If you are concerned and can pick your blocks, try to get a a block ...