11 replies to this topic

[Ken]

Hi all

Well, it's nothing flash compared to most of the works of art in here, but I am giving it a go and loving it. Table is done, track layout is basically finalised and I am about to start on the landscaping (none done so far as you will see from the pics).

Overall layout so far:



Layout from another angle:



Track goes to ceiling thanks to four 6-inch eye-bolts through beams in the roof. Ropes are tied off through brackets attached to beams in the wall. For backup, I hook four ockie straps from the eye bolts in the ceiling around onto the bottom of the four bolts through the table. (No pics of the ockie straps sorry).



Same eye bolts through the struts along the edge of the table give us something to hook onto, but un-clip when table is lowered onto trestles for use:





Table is basically three main beams lengthways for strength, then thin pieces of pine for support. Surface is about 6 sheets of 3mm MDF. Not sure what the total weight is, but my 15y/o son and I can stand on either side and lift it over our heads.



Fence around the edge is plastic gutter mesh - cheap as chips from a hardware store, plus some cheap metal brackets, bolts and washers at the corners and along the long sides of the table:



I don't have any pics of it raised because it's too much fun building the track, landscaping and driving, so the car is still in the driveway most of the time

I think I will go the newspaper, masking tape and plaster cloth route for landscaping, using the heaps of useful tips I have found here on the forums so far from you all.

Anyway, hope you like it so far and I will post more pics as I make better progress.

Cheers and happy slotting
Ken

[waytofast]

i like your idea using gutter mesh. would make for a softer hit for deslotted cars.

[Ken]

waytofast, on Mar 9 2009, 11:14 PM, said:

i like your idea using gutter mesh. would make for a softer hit for deslotted cars.

Cheers, yeah works a treat. I have pulled it nice and tight around the metal brackets, and I am taping it along the side of the table at the bottom just as a precaution so there's no way cars can slip down between the table and the mesh.

K

[Bigfela]

Great layout Ken, However the only problem I have is that maybe you should put the chicane on a short chute rather than break up your long straight.Other than that both the table (that mesh is great), & track look the goods.
CHEERS!!!

[enginemusic.com]

waytofast, on Mar 10 2009, 02:14 AM, said:

i like your idea using gutter mesh. would make for a softer hit for deslotted cars.

Yeah but do watch your naked arms as they brush over it! Ouchie. I'm wondering if running a flame across the top edge would melt it enough to soften the pointy bits...

[Ken]

Bigfela, on Mar 10 2009, 10:54 AM, said:

Great layout Ken, However the only problem I have is that maybe you should put the chicane on a short chute rather than break up your long straight.Other than that both the table (that mesh is great), & track look the goods.
CHEERS!!!

Thanks BF, not a bad idea at all. I am a little limited because the chicane is SCX track and the track is about half and half SCX and Scalextric Sport, so that cuts down my options a little since I have to put the converter straights in the right spots etc. But there is a straight section at the back-right corner of the photo that I might be able to shift the chicane to.

Cheers for the tip.
K

[Ken]

enginemusic.com, on Mar 10 2009, 03:59 PM, said:

waytofast, on Mar 10 2009, 02:14 AM, said:

i like your idea using gutter mesh. would make for a softer hit for deslotted cars.

Yeah but do watch your naked arms as they brush over it! Ouchie. I'm wondering if running a flame across the top edge would melt it enough to soften the pointy bits...

Now there's an idea! I might do a run around with a lighter and see how I go. Cheers!
Ken

[numbers]

Ken, on Mar 10 2009, 08:49 PM, said:

enginemusic.com, on Mar 10 2009, 03:59 PM, said:

waytofast, on Mar 10 2009, 02:14 AM, said:

i like your idea using gutter mesh. would make for a softer hit for deslotted cars.

Yeah but do watch your naked arms as they brush over it! Ouchie. I'm wondering if running a flame across the top edge would melt it enough to soften the pointy bits...

Now there's an idea! I might do a run around with a lighter and see how I go. Cheers!
Ken

Aaaahhhhhhh!!!!
The plastic mesh guttter guard works very well (i use it on my temporary set-ups on the table tennis table) & has saved many cars from the floor, but is definately scratchy & grabs loose clothing very well.

Out with the lighter then!

Numbers

[pitlane3]

Why not use a product called "pinchweld",
we used to get the thing from the "purple pig".
It is like a car door seal without the seal, just covering the bare metal / gutter guard.

[Ken]

Hi all, just a quick update with some photos of the landscaping I have done so far. A few disclaimers beforehand... ;-)

• I have only done about half of the track
  
• I haven't done the flat parts yet - will probably just lay some plaster cloth and paint it etc. so I am waiting to see how much I have left after finishing the rest of the hills
  
• Apologies for the white PVA glue that is still wet around the boulders in some of the shots
  
• This is the first time I have tried landscaping anything that isn't 1:1 scale
  
• Done on a budget

Anyway, hope you like it so far. Please feel free to ask any questions. There are about 16 more photos below, if that's too many to add to a post please let me know and I will cut back.

Cheers and happy slotting
Ken

[SlotsNZ]

Good on ya.

Once the car has been in the driveway a year or so, and the track hasn't actually been winched up..... the missus will probably cotton onto what's happening.

[Ken]

SlotsNZ, on Mar 22 2009, 07:15 PM, said:

Good on ya.

Once the car has been in the driveway a year or so, and the track hasn't actually been winched up..... the missus will probably cotton onto what's happening.

Haha winch system was completed 3 weeks ago. Track has been winched up once, for one night, to check that it worked and held ok. Winched back down the next afternoon. God help me if she starts reading this forum