Here's my track
Overall length is 15-1/2 ft, only because the room is only 16 feet. This afternoon I built the starting box and it works great. In the last pic you can see the stand I made to support the starting end of the track. It can be adjusted to 3 different heights, 24", 36" and 46". The angled portion is 4-1/2 ft. The kicker is also 4-1/2 ft., and the final straight is 6-1/2 ft. I played around a bit tonight with it set at 36" and 46". At 46" the cars scream down the track, which I wouldn't mind if I could add another 8 to 10 ft. of track. Monday night I'll try the 24" height and at that point decide which one I'll use when the Middleweight and Drag cars get here. What's not in the pic is my catch box (building a new one) and the yellow Hot Wheels finish gate. It works well but I'm thinking about getting something a little better.
http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Dadvbal ... sort=6&o=4
http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Dadvbal ... sort=6&o=3
http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Dadvbal ... sort=6&o=1
Ok, so the new PB has me screwed up. Can't figure out how to just post the pic instead of making everybody hit the link. I liked the old way better.
Discussion
Nice to have adjustable starting heights and a simple design to do it. Looks like you can keep running the track right out the door! I like that coke bottle green starting gate as well. It all looks good.
Thanks! If the weather is halfway decent I might just do that. I would have preferred clear plexi but I got it for nothing and didn't realize it was green until I peeled the paper off. It'll do for now.
I bet those cars are MOVING at the end of the track. Nice set up, with room to change height and length......very cool.
I might steal your design for the starting height bars. I need to build myself a new track and was trying to think of a fancy way to allow adjustable heights and hill lengths....but as usual I was overthinking it, looks like you've got a great solution. I also like that your "kicker" is adjustable as well...just slide it up down the hill. You could even add little ledges on the hill for preset heights or something. Still very portable and easy storage. Hell of a start!
Thanks for the comments! It is pretty portable and easy to break down and set up. Track is held to the 1x4 with velcro. And Brian, on the kicker I angled the leading edge where it meets the first portion of the downhill and it stays there using Velcro. I've got a small 3/4" x 3/4" block screwed to the bottom edge of the top track so it acts like a stop against the cross pieces of the stand. Used Velcro again to keep it from shifting. I should have invested in velcro.
Thanks for the comments! It is pretty portable and easy to break down and set up. Track is held to the 1x4 with velcro. And Brian, on the kicker I angled the leading edge where it meets the first portion of the downhill and it stays there using Velcro. I've got a small 3/4" x 3/4" block screwed to the bottom edge of the top track so it acts like a stop against the cross pieces of the stand. Used Velcro again to keep it from shifting. I should have invested in velcro.
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had a WWII vetran buddy, he was in San Lo, France, 2 gi's were guarding an intown crossroads...the had just gotten the new C4 explosive...there was a bank in town...they packed all their C4 onto the bank's door...laid down behind a dirt mound...it blew the door of the bank.... and the structure off the theater nextdoor ! only the seats were left... they got $4,000 cash each... on the ship home a soldier asked him to invest in his new invention...VELCRO... my buddy said no, it will never stick...rest in peace Dick...
Nice story Velcro, Post-it notes...I can only imagine all the things people didn't invest in because they sounded dumb at the time. It would have been fun to work for 3M back in the day with all the stuff they invented. Of course, working for any place circa 1950-65 would have been an incredible experience.
Nice to have adjustable starting heights and a simple design to do it. Looks like you can keep running the track right out the door! I like that coke bottle green starting gate as well. It all looks good.