26 replies to this topic

[Randy Tragni]

Hi, recently started racing 1/32 scale cars (also, still racing HO). I have now acquired enough of these that I need to start thinking about how to move them around.

I currently have 14 cars, a DiFalco controller and a few tools.I have attached a picture of my cars for reference.

What are people using to carry your cars around?

Thanks, Randy

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[mreibman]

I use a 4-in-1 makeup case (aka "train case"). Configurations and colors vary, but you can get for under $100 if you shop for it. Plenty of room.

 

And I still use wooden boxes like my old Webster and a flight case. As long as the things fit and you can move it around easily, it's all fine.

 

Biggest suggestion - either get something with wheels, or get a luggage cart. Much easier to roll than to carry.

[Isaac S.]

I have no idea but are you racing your 1/32 cars competitively? If so, is it all stock or can you change motors, change float, etc? I modified my Scalextric Cougar this fall and it is SO much funner now. Put the 18K predator motor in, changed tires and followed the HRW forum's guide to modifying the Challenger chassis.  And do you race on a wood track or on a modern plastic track? If it is a wood track I really recommend Paul Gage tires. 

[Alchemist]

Hi Randy,

 

If I may ask you please, do you now have another track for 1/32 cars?

 

How are you liking this 1/32 scale opposed to the 1/24?

 

It's good to hear from you!

 

Ernie

[Ecurie Martini]

Slightly modified "knock off" machinists chest - about $80 + a little more for top handle and piano hinge at rear

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[Phil Hackett]

Slightly modified "knock off" machinists chest - about $80 + a little more for top handle and piano hinge at rear

 

Do those "knock off" chests have a drawer stop?

[Randy Tragni]

Thanks everyone for your responses so far.

Mreibman, Interesting idea, I will look into a make-up box and see what that leads to.

Issac, we race on a routed track. Not sure of the surface material but to me looks like formica? We are running all of the cars in my picture. Mostly stock, NSR tires. Slop in the chassis. Open guides. Group C, LMP, 60's protoypes, Trans Am, GT1, GT3, NSR F1.

Ernie, long time. 1/32nd scale is as satisfying as 1/24th. The track is shorter and speeds are slower but racing is racing. We recently had a routed  1/32 track move into the area and it is a lot of fun hanging the tail end of a car out again. The San Jose Club is now racing in 2 scales.  Many of us (including me) have Brad Bowman HO tracks. The HO cars are much faster than the 1/32nd cars so it is very much different racing but the 1/32nd scale cars look real!

EM, Good suggestion, but bigger than I want to lug around I think. As I've gotten older I try to go more minimalist when possible.

[mreibman]

Thanks everyone for your responses so far.

Mreibman, Interesting idea, I will look into a make-up box and see what that leads to.

Issac, we race on a routed track. Not sure of the surface material but to me looks like formica? We are running all of the cars in my picture. Mostly stock, NSR tires. Slop in the chassis. Open guides. Group C, LMP, 60's protoypes, Trans Am, GT1, GT3, NSR F1.

Ernie, long time. 1/32nd scale is as satisfying as 1/24th. The track is shorter and speeds are slower but racing is racing. We recently had a routed  1/32 track move into the area and it is a lot of fun hanging the tail end of a car out again. The San Jose Club is now racing in 2 scales.  Many of us (including me) have Brad Bowman HO tracks. The HO cars are much faster than the 1/32nd cars so it is very much different racing but the 1/32nd scale cars look real!

EM, Good suggestion, but bigger than I want to lug around I think. As I've gotten older I try to go more minimalist when possible.

Here's a 3-in-1 as an example... features vary.

https://www.ebay.com...-EAAOSwbatf9ncU

 

Mine has french doors and drawers inside, but is no longer available:

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Alchemist]

Hi Randy,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

When you have the opportunity, would you be able to share photos of the track please?

 

That would be great - thank you!

 

Be well,

 

Ernie

[Ecurie Martini]

 

Do those "knock off" chests have a drawer stop?

No, they will pull right out - but my real Gerstner does the same

[Randy Tragni]

Hi Randy,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

When you have the opportunity, would you be able to share photos of the track please?

 

That would be great - thank you!

 

Be well,

 

Ernie

 

Ernie, It's not my track so I shouldn't be putting out too much about it. I've attached a teaser photo that gives a very small look.

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[Isaac S.]

That's cool. Thanks. 

[team burrito]

if you're looking for an inexpensive box, i like this one. it holds most everything & more.

 

they used to sell those at arron brothers, but you should be able to find them at most art supply stores.

 

they usually sell for 30 bucks. good luck.

[Alchemist]

Hi Russ!  

 

I really like the COX sticker - very cool!

 

Hope all is well buddy!

 

 

Randy,

 

Thanks for posting the photo and I understand and can appreciate your discretion.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Ernie

[Randy Tragni]

Russ, thanks. I wish. I'm probably 10 cars past what I could fit in there. Paul is struggling to get his cars in his similar box.
Slot cars are like rabbits. You start with a pair and before you know it....

[Bill Seitz]

My place in this hobby is 1/24 wing cars, and I have a terrible obsessive compulsion to have one or two of every interesting product I see. I have a really hard time retiring (aka trashing) anything. Back in the 90s, I once had 43 cars, although today I think I have finally reined myself in to 39. I quickly outgrew anything commercially available, so in recent years I have experimented with building my own boxes. In the effort to keep a big box as light as possible, I have tried both 1/8" (3 mm?), 3/16" (5 mm), and 1/4" (6 mm) plywood. The 1/8" proved too thin. The 3/16 (5 mm) seems to be the best compromise, but I have had trouble finding it. My current box is 1/4" (6 mm) but is heavier than I would like even with an interior made of foam-core display board. I recently discovered Revolution Ply 5 mm poplar plywood at the big box home improvement stores, and am plotting another box made with it.

[Randy Tragni]

My place in this hobby is 1/24 wing cars, and I have a terrible obsessive compulsion to have one or two of every interesting product I see. I have a really hard time retiring (aka trashing) anything. Back in the 90s, I once had 43 cars, although today I think I have finally reined myself in to 39. I quickly outgrew anything commercially available, so in recent years I have experimented with building my own boxes. In the effort to keep a big box as light as possible, I have tried both 1/8" (3 mm?), 3/16" (5 mm), and 1/4" (6 mm) plywood. The 1/8" proved too thin. The 3/16 (5 mm) seems to be the best compromise, but I have had trouble finding it. My current box is 1/4" (6 mm) but is heavier than I would like even with an interior made of foam-core display board. I recently discovered Revolution Ply 5 mm poplar plywood at the big box home improvement stores, and am plotting another box made with it.

 

Going down a rabbit hole here (today seems to be a day for rabbits) have you considered Balsa Wood? Probably not practical for the exterior but maybe for the dividers and drawers?

[Revtor]

Bill, you may look into corrugated plastic for interior dividers/shelves etc..

example :   https://www.uline.co...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

light, rigid, durable.

 

~Steve

[Nonfractal]

I've always kept cars separate from everything else.
My favoured car box is Carrera branded.
Seems to be just the right size for the number of cars in your post.
I have 2 of these boxes.
Designed for 1/24th , the box can easily be adapted for 1/32

Hope this helps.
AlanW

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[bbr]

I use these for 1/32 cars

 

 

 

[Randy Tragni]

Thanks everyone, I have made a decision. Based on your suggestions and a video I found on pit boxes I went to my local Harbor Freight and bought a plastic tool box. It works perfect and fits all of my cars. Attached are a few pictures.

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[gc4895]

I use this for my 1/32 cars.  The mirror is pretty handy also.

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[Horsepower]

I have the Harbor Freight one and so far it's great! Pretty cheap and solid. Also non-magnetic.

[SpeedyNH]

so you can't stick your magnet cars to the side of the box! Lol 

is that the 19" one? 

[Alan Wolcott]

I, too, would suggest the Harbor Freight case, such as the Voyager 18x6x13 ($30, before discount coupon).  My photo shows a similar case (that they, apparently, no longer offer) that I use for some of my 1/24 cars.  I put three 1/32s in for comparison.  I calculate you could get 14 cars (2 rows of 7 cars) in just a single layer, and still have nearly a car's width left for the controller.  Just cut some 1/8" hardboard for dividers.  If you make them taller and leave out the tool holder in the lid, you could put 2 cars side by side, as I show.  That would give a 28-car capacity.  Another idea is to get some open box, and you could make parking spots by making dividers from wood or plastic.  The one I show is interlocking plastic, meaning I cut a half-depth slot so that they slid together.  This is the one I used, before lining with neoprene foam, in my box shown in my listing  Ratty 1960's Pit Box... (http://slotblog.net/...ern-132-ratbox/).

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