Portable pipe track ramp for charity Xmas give-aways

model40fan Friday, 10/17/2014

the pieces ;

glued, anchor holes tapped ;

1/2" CTS drag ramp, [4] 90*s, [2] tees, [3] 3", [1] 2", [2] 3/4" and [2] 3/8" sections of tubing ;

*                     *                       *                    *

1/2" PVC track ramp  

you need [3 or 5] 90* elbows. [1 or 3 ] tees. [1] end cap. [3] 3" sections of tubing. [1] 3.5" section. [1] 2.5" section. [2] 1.25" sections... I welded a couple 1/4" x 20 countersunk screws into [2] 1" flat washers as track connectors... tapped [2] 1/4" x 20 holes in the upright  PVC section, rotating on the base's cross section...

the upright rotates on the base's cross shaft to change the track's pitch...

the track sections slide onto the 1" flat washers... assembled unit...adjustable pitch ;

gonna give the kids the launcher, [2] 24" track sections, [1] purple connector and some cars ;

the kids are often shuffled from place to place to keep them safe, this should be easy to grab and take with them, that is why I tried to make it compact. also by being short it can fit on the kid's bed if noise might get him / her in trouble with a short fused adult... 


Discussion

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redlinederby 10/17/14
Site manager

That's pretty awesome! Great portability, store-ability and durable. Perfect!

What do you think would be a good way to do this without the welding part? Just screw from top through washer into the plastic?


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model40fan 10/19/14

welded up a few track anchors this AM... if some of you want to make one of these track ramps for your local shelter or charity group I will ship you one of these anchors...

this ramp is made of much smaller 1/2" CTS, the orange one was made of 1/2" PVC...


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model40fan 10/19/14

but wait, if you swap the 90* on the upright for a tee with both ends capped you can drill and tap it, screw in 2 anchors and it is now set up for drag racing ;

adjustable upright lets you change the starter angle.... either table top or off the table racing ;

shallow pitch [table top or floor] ;

steeper pitch for off table racing ;

about $3.45 plus the track anchors...



  • cost savings, i inserted [2] 3/8" tubes instead of the caps, for depth of thread... — model40fan
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redlinederby 10/20/14
Site manager

Damn, this just keeps getting better and better. Who knew PVC pipe was so versatile?!

I'm gonna try to make one of these for my kid for Christmas. Just something she can have in her room and carry around, even outside. Of course, it'll probably have to be colored pink or purple, but that's makes it all the more unique :)


  • do you want a track connector/ screw ? — model40fan
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model40fan 11/2/14

Could not help myself, small diameter steel rod, washers, nuts, welder and a drill ;

Small rods have washers welded about 3/8" from their ends as stops,

Starter pins up ;

Starter pins down ;

Turn the washer counter clockwise releases the cars... let's race !

 


  • Very clever, Smitty! You could also mount the pins fast and use the lobe of a cam to lower them — 72_Chevy_C10
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redlinederby 11/2/14
Site manager

Ha...way to go! Now you got me thinking how to create this without the need to weld. Hmmmm


  • use theaded rod for the cross shaft with jam nuts... — model40fan
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model40fan 11/2/14

Hmmmmmm..... no welding  .... all nuts tight except the two on either side of the PVC / CTS tubing ;

hope it helps...

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model40fan 11/2/14

got me thinking "no weld".... I had built a dozen of the one lane wonders for the xmas thing... [only had to supply 1 track pack each]... just unscrew the single track anchor and screw in the dual lane connector... from stunts to a drag strip ;

adjustable track angle ;


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model40fan 11/13/14

For the charity kid's single lane slow tracks i used one of the short / extra conns. to make a "STOP CONN"... Heated with a candle bent 90* with needlenose plyers..The 1/2" thick foam was adhesive on one side, went around the upright with chrome duct tape, slide it into your track end ;

assembled ;

" The STOPPER" ;


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model40fan 11/13/14

Unable to restrain myself, I plotted out a dual lane anchor, with the anchor plate heated with a candle and bent 90*, 1/2" foam pad glued and chrome duct taped to the vertical...

hoping these help keep the kids cars from getting stepped on...


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model40fan 11/13/14

This is the stuff I will give to the safe voices "boss", it is dual lane as the rascals will get 1 lane tracks, hopefully they will combine the sets to have a "big" race...

 

Dual lane starter paddle, dual lane adjustable track ramp, dual lane stopper and 4 track sections, hoping the kids get together and  add some more track sections...I want them to share the toys...

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Stroller 11/27/15

I applaud you, Smitty probably the league's best innovator.  Keep on rollin, Smitty.  I think I will build one for Dragon Tooth he has no track......Stroller.



  • thanks roller... being over 50 i forgot about some of those gadgets... — fordman
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