169 replies to this topic

[Bigdogbro1]

This is I hope the last layout change "Test 4 N Four Inch".

I increased some radii and have decided this is my choice.

 

Two banked turns, Bank1 and Bank3.  The Turn2 is flat with a slight twist from Bank3 exit.

 

I have to get started with the next phase of planning the build.

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[Dfsmith001]

What do the Professional builders use to seal the track? After its sanded and ready finish. Clear poly? Primer? Latex paint? Epoxy paint? Oil base enamel?

[Steve Ogilvie]

I used to use a coat of clear gloss solvent base polyurethane. Let it soak in and dry overnight then sand it with 120 grit with an orbital sander, vacuum it off, wipe it with a tack rag and then paint.

[Bigdogbro1]

Hi All,

 

Has been some time since my last post and I'm finishing the design with some assistance that has helped greatly in the planning.   

 

I have been recovering from a stupid motorcycle tip over in the grass up a slight hill on the first ride of the season and it landed on my LH foot/ankle six weeks thus far.  Nothing broken or fractured just squished and bruised.

 

The track layout is stable with some refinements.  I have added two banked turns with a few minor turn banks to keep the car on the track on the loop and elsewhere.

 

The large LH sweeper (Sections 12-13) is a 20 degree bank, 12 degree in Section 2 and flat on Section 4 (S4 and S7) with S8 and S9 a minor bank.  Refining the fabrication methods for this track.

 

I wanted to see what the track would look like so I created the 3D model for fun.  The banking in the two large turns was not calculated properly so the banks are a bit wavy but I got the feel for it.

 

A warning about the 2D track layout seen below....it has dimensional information on it but it is for a flat track without any banking. 

 

I am looking into getting the section outline panels cut on a CNC router so I have been working on the CAD files for each section.

 

Well that's all for now.

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[Paul Menkens]

Your final design looks great! With the planning you've put into this it should come out great, one change I'd suggest is to change the driver's stations to allow for clip hookups along with the XLRs that you show, you will have other racers there from time to time who will want to use their own controllers which are not set up with XLRs, I'm an audio tech and I started setting my track up with XLRs and if you have a lot of controllers it can get expensive, also, some people tend to just pull them out without pushing the button which can cause damage and also, there are some sockets that don't have the release buttons but some cheeper Chinese plugs don't fit these well and can pull them apart when unplugging which will shut that lane down until it's replaced.

[Bill from NH]

I agree with Paul, I've used a track with both. An alternative would be to make an adapter with connector posts wired to a male XRL plug.  Not the best idea, but it works. I think adding components to a circuit increases potential trouble points.

[Bigdogbro1]

Thanks for the tip.  I have had the same thought but my solution is to have short adapter cable harness from three alligator clips to a male XLR plug for the racers running three clip wired controllers.

 

An update:

I have been finalizing the layout and creating DXF files for the track panel sections.  I have a local Maker Works shop that has a 4x8ft ShopBot CNC table that uses Vcarve software that I have been allowed to load at home to prep the CNC files for cutting.  I can use the CNC table for a small membership and trainning class fee or I can hire a member to cut the section panel outlines.  I am meeting with them next week on the details.  That will off load some labor on me and move things along faster.

 

Thanks Steve for all your help!

[Paul Menkens]

The adaptors will work, just make sure they don't touch each other, good luck

[Bigdogbro1]

They will have alligator clip matching color boots on the adapter cable side as well.....no concerns there.  Thanks!

[Bigdogbro1]

Update:

 

All 13 track sections and 34 sets of legs have all been cut on the CNC table and are back at my home.  I need to check the sections and begin fab on the joint blocks.

Boy what a stack of MDF I have.  Picked up other needed materials for assembly today.

 

Shall return again.

Rob

[Bigdogbro1]

Been working all day to move things around in the walkout basement. Cleared the designated track area and layed the track sections on the floor to see if my layout plan fits in real life. It does and should be a great high speed layout. 

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[Mr. M]

Looks good! How about moving the pole between the front and back straight?

[Brian Czeiner]

Getting access to crashed cars on the inside finger (S4) with the pole there could be a potential issue. Maybe slide the track so the pole is inside the corner (S2)? This would also give you some room around your large corner (S12 & 13) too and avoid the long way around to sections S11 and S5.

 

The pole is a real line of sight issue. Perhaps rotate the track 180 and place the pole along the inside of straight section S6?   I would simulate sitting at each driver station for a few minutes and view the layout, maybe get  other racers to have a full driver panel.  People can be an obstruction too.  Then walk around for access to each section before final assemble.

 

I can also see an uncomfortable situation if someone is standing at the driver panel and the door opens.

 

I don't mean to sound critical but you have put a great deal of thought and work into the design. Now it's time to do the same for the space.

[Dave Crevie]

It's beginning to look a little like this Gerding track that was in the home racing group I belonged to. It was fast, and a blast to drive. The donut is just out of shot to the right in the first picture, andto the left in the third picture. 

 

 

[Bigdogbro1]

Dave,  Looks similar for sure.  I went thru several designs to fit it into my space and I liked the current one I have now.  Didn't copy any track layout but it just developed into what it is.  Must be something in our thought process that gets us guys to design similar tracks.  Thanks for the great pics.

[Bigdogbro1]

Getting access to crashed cars on the inside finger (S4) with the pole there could be a potential issue. Maybe slide the track so the pole is inside the corner (S2)? This would also give you some room around your large corner (S12 & 13) too and avoid the long way around to sections S11 and S5.

 

The pole is a real line of sight issue. Perhaps rotate the track 180 and place the pole along the inside of straight section S6?   I would simulate sitting at each driver station for a few minutes and view the layout, maybe get  other racers to have a full driver panel.  People can be an obstruction too.  Then walk around for access to each section before final assemble.

 

I can also see an uncomfortable situation if someone is standing at the driver panel and the door opens.

 

I don't mean to sound critical but you have put a great deal of thought and work into the design. Now it's time to do the same for the space.

 

Brian,

Thanks for the input!  The track is only 22" wide and there is 15" access into the inner track area past the support post.  The post seems not to be an issue for that end of the track and loop from what I have reviewed so far and I plan to paint it flat black.  The basement area can be increased to the back straight by removing the work bench along the back wall and moving the track towards the wall another two feet if needed.  The S11/S12 is against the left end wall because there is a sliding glass door to the far right side I had to deal with and not choke off for motorcycle and other access.    Thanks for your input.

 

[Bigdogbro1]

I have been working on my brothers 56ft Carrera track for a week and now that it's 95% done I am back to my project and have been making progress.  I almost have 13 joint blocks done.  I created two clear acrylic templates for the joint blocks to located all the staples so I don't interfere with the slots, temporary gluing screws, bolts and braid drops.  I need to drill holes and bolt them together then plane the tops flat and add the top plate to form the upper track T&G.  The top side of the joint blocks above the T&G have an additional 1/16" added to the MDF so it can be used to plane off the top sections of the blocks.  A little fore thought into these blocks being the first I ever built.

 

Have been slicing up the spoke reinforcement sticks for the track bottom.   Keep all your scrap for the track infrastructure parts.

 

I am creating a cleanroom area (dirty room) in the basement to do all the work as I decided not to do some of the routing and cut work in the upper garage, just too much moving of track sections.  The cleanroom is 2mil plastic sheeting on the ceiling and all four walls with access cutout for the slider door and another into the basement area.  The humidity here in S.E. Michigan has been high and the basement is dry and cooler to work in. 

 

I will be starting on the first track section soon to build the structure for the underside.  All the 34 legs (68 pieces) are ready to use when needed.  Here are a few pictures of the work so far.

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[Bigdogbro1]

Here are a few more pictures of the joint blocks, legs and the basement area.  Leaving now to drill the bolt holes in the blocks.

Very humid out again today.  82 degrees and 70% at 11am. 

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[Dave_12]

where are the banked corners ?

[Bigdogbro1]

Dave,

The banked corners are S12,S13 (20 degree) and S2 (12 degree).  See post #104

[Bigdogbro1]

Plained the joint blocks to day but I cannot upload any pictures.  The joints are nice and smooth on the top and ready for the top plate.

[Bill from NH]

Rob, are you planning for a braid joint at every track surface joint?

[Bigdogbro1]

Rob, are you planning for a braid joint at every track surface joint?

Hi Bill,

 

Yes I am.  There will be braid pigtails hanging below each side of the joint that will be double folded together and clamped with a binder clip.

[Bigdogbro1]

Getting the plastic sheet enclosure work going.  Slight change in plan for hanging the 2mil sheet on the ceiling.  Hope to cut some MDF today for the leg assembly track mounts.  Big rain las two days and it's very humid outdoors.  Whew!

[jimht]

Hi Bill,

 

Yes I am.  There will be braid pigtails hanging below each side of the joint that will be double folded together and clamped with a binder clip.

FYI, zip ties work very well for this.

 

I believe I got the idea from Chris Dadds, but I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will correct me...