Bould journal : Cardboard mountain V2
Previously , I made a track out of cardboard , tape and hot glue . But i'm not satisfied . It has a bunch of problems : the paint job is ugly , there's no scenery , the cars get stuck a lot at the first turn , paint don't stick well on the tape and fall everywhere ...
The first track : www.redlinederby.com/topic/build-journal-cardboard-mountain/5067
So , I decided to use the experience I gained making that first track to make a second one . It is also the occasion to try new things , like 3D printed roads .
I didn't have a storage space for my cars , so I made parkings into the mountain :
The blue 3D printed roads are only half a milimeter thick , so I used cardboard to consolidate them . 
I took off the electronic components of my first track , and modified the finish lane system .
Now , it works with a laser and a photosensor :
Next , I redesigned my starting gate mechanism . It is still pretty similar to my orignal design , exept this time , it is entirely 3D printed .
It can be opened manually or electrically .
It works great !
A bunch of support was needed to secure the first drop in place .
Here is what I've done so far .
Discussion
This is the same method my Dad taught me to make Railroad dioramas, (mountains, hills, tunnels etc.) You are at the point where we would have started paper mache and plaster of paris for texturizing the landscape. Looking great so far.
- I was planning to use paper mache — Deedose
- Do cars roll well over paper mache ? — Deedose
- Not really, I'd just do a thin coat of paint at most on track and sidewalls. — Redline_Salvage_Inc
I'm starting to paint the track . I am planning to go for a rallye-themed track .
I designed my first ever PCB . I really learn a lot from this build .
A lot of soldering later :
It's working !
It's looking great. I like the design of your start gate. We use servos for our gates as well but I like how your pins sit flat ont he track to let the cars roll past.
Small update : I added more cardboard , now the track starts looking like a mountain .