66 replies to this topic

[Dennis David]

I'm designing a custom slot car box, and would love to see pictures of boxes that people are particularly proud of, and what feature was most important for them.

 

FYI, I don't expect to be flying with this, unless I can charter my own plane. ;-)

[mike0550]

These are the set-ups I have. I mostly use the one that is loaded in the pics. I only race wing cars and these allow me to have everything I need in front of me.

 

 

[Dennis David]

Those are some mega boxes. I'm thinking a drawer deeper than 1-1/2" is too deep for my purposes.

[mike0550]

Another one I have. Right now it is all draws and is now holding any cars.

 

[Ecurie Martini]

David:

 

I was on my way to a bespoke pit box when life intervened.  This is mt "Plan B"

 

 

http://www.slotforum...howtopic=166010

 

It's quite convenient but a bit heavy.  Because of some hand issues, I've bought a little folding luggage trolley.

 

Al

[SlowBeas]

Dennis,

 

I don't necessarily have examples to show, but I have a couple of ideas to consider when constructing a box. I consider them to be significant.

 

1. Consider the total weight of the finished product. Remember that you'll be adding more weight with cars, tires, oils, tire treatments, soldering iron, etc.

2. Consider a design that will facilitate easy transport. Will a handle on the top be all that's needed? Maybe one on each end (which is really hard on the back!)? A strap? Placed onto a lightweight hand truck?

 

I really envy you guys who are good at building these boxes. Wish you lots of luck in the build! 

[Jairus]

I always wondered if one could mount wheels and a collapsable handle on a box allowing for easy moving about.
Of course you still have to lift it in and out of the car and up onto the table.  But.... makes transport easy.
Other than that.... the door trays should be tall enough to hold a bottle of lighter fluid and Zip-grip.
And one drawer should be large enough for the controller.
 

[tlbrace]

I've often seen the type of boxes in the initial posts on ebay, and admire them. The one reason I've not pulled the trigger is that they are not practical for our club venues. We race in members' basements and garages, where perhaps the routed tracks were built a tad bigger than the space suggested, so pit table space isat  a premium. Doors opening 'out' simply take up too much real estate.

 

Other than that, that's the way I'd go.

[MSwiss]

I would suggest just Googling "slot car boxes" and hit "images".

 

If it was 1967 again, and slot car racing was a big deal, you might see some sort of modular box system, like Festool, has for tools.

(but hopefully, cheaper-LOL)

 

http://www.shopfesto...estool-storage/

[Phil Hackett]

Everything's so BIG. When I raced, only the necessary items were packed into 1 box (a Garvic from 1966). I always had more than I needed. Bringing the entire bench was never a plan because if you needed the tools or parts left behind your race was over with anyway.

 

Someday, one of these will be rolled into a shop:

 

    

[Thom]

Your nice cars deserve a proper traveling home with a roll up garage door. This is the first one I built for myself 25 years ago. I've made several over the years for special friends.

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[tonyp]

My small box, fits my parts box, tires tools and 4 cars. Just like the one I used in the late 70's before I quit. Both built by Mike Shepard. Was a lot neater inside before the pull out tray broke.

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[Samiam]

Thom,

 

That is a cool box.

 

You don't happen to be a coffin maker by trade ?

[Markomatic]

Here is my box from back in the 90's. Still using it. I did a lot of traveling and ran many classes and built cars for friends to race too. Needed a lot of room and all of my tools with me at all times. The box was built by a friend that raced with us back in NJ. He was a cabinet maker.

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[Eddie Fleming]

Best idea is small and simple. Trying to take everything to the track makes it like work.

[Phil Hackett]

Best idea is small and simple. Trying to take everything to the track makes it like work.

 

My small box, fits my parts box, tires tools and 4 cars. Just like the one I used in the late 70's before I quit. Both built by Mike Shepard. Was a lot neater inside before the pull out tray broke.

 

We're the minority of kindered spirits. The day a guy pulls up with a truck toowing forklift for moving his race program into the shop isn't far off.

[MSwiss]

We're the minority of kindered spirits. The day a guy pulls up with a truck towing forklift for moving his race program into the shop isn't far off.

Not sure why that would matter to you, unless "they" make you help lug it in, or impede on your pit space.

 

I always had more than I needed. Bringing the entire bench was never a plan because if you needed the tools or parts left behind your race was over with anyway.

Absolutely not true.

 

I finished my Semi, at the 2002 USRA Geezer race, at BP, with a wadded piece of junk.

 

I was able to totally rebuild the car, before the Main, and won it.

[Bryan Warmack]

     A well modified old Hoffman. I made an aluminum tray that fits over the handle on the top and carries 2 controllers, a test block and some tools. Inside, room for 14 cars, a mini tire grinder, dozens of tires and motors, etc. It is about as compact and efficient as you can get and at the track I just put the top tray under the bench so it doesn't take up much space.

    When fully loaded for a big race it does get a bit heavy as there's hardly an inch of unused space!

 

 

[Eddie Fleming]

Big box, small box, bring enough to race or bring everything?

 

I think it depends on the race. For the regular local stuff travel light and enjoy. If you are going to the Sano, the R4 or the nats bring the full house.

 

If you are going to attend major races you should be prepared for both.

 

I have seen people come into a race and look at all the big spreads of equipment and walk away saying I am not getting into that.

[MSwiss]

Well, I guess the mystery of why commercial slot racing isn't as big as it clould/should be, is now solved.
 
Big boxes.
 
Those guys with the big boxes are the ones who keep me in business, filling them.
 
And more importantly, they are the guys who are willing, and able, with their big box of tools and widgits, to help the new racer.

 

The only negative thing I see, with the big box guys, is they block some of the action, on my Hot Wheels pneumatic drag strip.LOL

[jimht]

Elmsford in the Sixties/Seventies...Find a space for those boxes or even the chairs for that matter.    

[Bill from NH]

In the early 70's, the best small box I ever saw was Joel Montague's small purple box w/ a half tray. He sometimes showed up at a big wing car race with it, his race car, a controller, 1 spare pair of tires, an allen wrench, a bottle of Stick-It red, & a rag. You never knew what he might have left back at the hotel or in his VW "Brucie Bus."

[elvis44102]

Back in the 70's i took my usually 2-3 cars a dremel a soldering iron pliers and a few misc spare parts everything fit in nicely in same kinda box tonyp posted...hopefully not too much building at

 

track....saw Lyle Jenkins repeatedly still building his cars while you are wondering if he was gonna make in time...(kind of entertaining in its own way)

[MSwiss]

Elmsford in the Sixties/Seventies...Find a space for those boxes or even the chairs for that matter.    

By 1984, they had enough room for this group of bums. LOL

[Eddie Fleming]

With the overall growth and well being of the commercial slot car world I feel so stupid having suggested that anything about it might have a negative side.

 

Let the powers driving the show carry on.